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Institute of Tourists Guiding

MR 04676

info@tours2order.com 44 (0)7827 715353

The Kennet and Avon Canal Tours

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Discover the waterway that joins Bristol and Reading

Learn about the incredible history behind Southern England's premier canal

The Kennet and Avon Canal was completed in 1810, as a major transport route.  After its heyday and decline it was fully restored by 1990.

Today, the towpath alongside the canal is also fully restored and makes for a great walking route with wonderful views and scenery.

Our walks will all discover a rural section of this remarkable 87-mile long waterway.

Depending on the section chosen we will see locks, bridges, boats and wildlife, together with plenty of the canal’s history.

Customise your tour

Create your ideal day by selecting any of the options from the table below. Choose from distance, time or types of activity. At any point, feel free to get in touch and we will help you build the perfect tour for you and your group.

Type of activityApproximate lengthAbility
An introduction to the Kennet and Avon Canal
90 minutes to two hours (2 to 3 miles, 3 to 5 kilometres)
Gentle - for all abilities and ages
Enjoying the delights of the canal and its environment
Half day, up to four hours (5 to 8 miles, 8 to 13 kilometres)
Medium - average level of fitness
A day discovering the history and geography around the canal
Full day, up to nine hours (8 to 12 miles, 13 to 19 kilometres)
Advanced - Good level of fitness
A longer Kennet and Avon journey
Multi day
Experienced - higher level of fitness

Discuss your unique needs for your trip?

Contact us

Choose a railway starting point to suit you

Our walk will start from one of the Kennet Valley railway stations: Theale, Aldermaston, Midgham, Thatcham, Newbury, Kintbury, Hungerford or Bedwyn.  Each of those allows us to walk various sections of this great cross-country waterway.

90 minute walks will be a return journey along part of the canal towpath.

Our half day walk will normally allow us to walk a longer section of towpath, then return, or we can continue walking in the same direction to the next railway station (on the same line) and return from there.

During a full day, we can either do a return trip along the towpath, or a one-way journey, or a combined journey exploring the wider countryside as well as a section of the canal.

See some of the beautiful sights along the Kennet and Avon Canal:

Qualifications and accreditations

  • Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding
  • Member of the British Guild of Tourist Guides
  • Blue Badge Guide for South and South East England 2011
  • Blue Badge Guide for South West England 2014
  • Ambassador for the Great West Way
  • Member of Association of Wessex Tourist Guides
  • Guiding endorsement for Windsor and Eton
  • Member of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust

Michelle Patrick

Hobbs of Henley

Graham has been a Blue Badge guide on quite a few of our specialist river trips on the Thames. He is a very informative guide and professional and it is a pleasure to work with him

HF Holidays guest

Don’t think he could improve! Excellent in all respects.

Lin Wilson

Solent Events & Leisure, Gosport

Thanks Graham and thank you for a superb tour yesterday. It was both interesting and amusing which we love! Everyone really enjoyed the whole day and are now eager to book my next one, which is great.

British visitor

London

You cannot imagine what a wonderful time I had on Monday on the canal walk which you recommended!  Thank you so much.

Discuss your unique needs for your trip?

Contact us

Explore more tours:

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Silchester

Explore a beautiful roman town, and all of its secrets...

Discuss your tour:

Get in touch

If you have any questions about a tour, or if you're interested in booking, then don't hesitate to get in touch.

44 (0)7827 715353
info@tours2order.com