Gloucester and Sharpness Canal
Enjoy cycling and walking along the towpath of this lovely canal in Gloucestershire. The whole of the route is suitable for walkers while cyclists can enjoy several sections as well. National Cycle Route 41 of the National Cycle Network runs along the canal from Gloucester Docks to the outskirts of the city. There's also another section from Frampton on Severn to Shepherd's Patch.
The canal runs from Gloucester Docks to Sharpness with wonderful views of the Severn Estuary, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds. Route highlights include Gloucester Docks with its variety of shops, leisure facilities, marina and fascinating Gloucester Waterways Museum. You will also pass the wonderful Slimbridge Wetland Centre where you can see thousands of migrant birds. The route finishes at the dock of Sharpness Port which was opened in 1874.
The canal links nicely with the River Severn in several places so you have the option of picking up the Severn Way and continuing your walk.
Just before the end of the route at Sharpness you will pass the Purton Hulks. Here you will pass a number of abandoned boats deliberately beached beside the River Severn to reinforce the river banks next to the canal.
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Pubs/Cafes
At the docks in Gloucester there's a number of nice places for refreshment including Dr Foster's Waterfront Bar & Restaurant. There's a large conservatory with views to the water and a good menu here. You can find them at the Kimberley Warehouse with a postcode of GL1 2ES for your sat navs. The pub is dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The circular Walk around Gloucester starts at the famous cathedral and visits the docks, the canal and the River Severn.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cotswolds Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Homes on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. Narrow boats and homes on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal close to Sellars bridge. 6kms from Gloucester docks.
Earl of Pembroke on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The wooden, three-masted barque, is currently used for maritime festivals, charters, charity fund raising, corporate entertaining and film work
Parkend bridge
Opened in 1827, at the time the Gloucester and Sharpness canal was the world's widest canal. Here it is viewed at Shepherd's Patch, near Slimbridge
The view at Saul
Splatt Bridge. This bridge is located just south of the village of Frampton on Severn. Frampton church, at Church End is a few hundred metres north of here. Church and village can be reached via a lane or footpaths from the east side of the swing bridge. Note the classical style bridgeman's house, with portico and doric columns. This is one of eight built in this in the 1840s - 1850s.
Swing bridge, Church Lane, Saul
Boat graveyard. The east bank of the river Severn between Sharpness and Purton is a boat graveyard. Redundant vessels have been beached here for many years to protect against erosion - the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal runs right alongside the river here. These concrete barges are embedded in the mud near the Purton dredger station.