Avoncliff Walk
A circular walk from Avoncliff, visiting the impressive Avoncliff Aqueduct, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Avon.
You can start the walk from the car park on the south side of the river in Avoncliff. The train station is also nearby and makes an alternative start point. From here you can directly access the aqueduct which carries the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Bath to Westbury railway line over the River Avon. It was built by John Rennie and chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801 and is a Grade II listed building. From its elevated position there are fine views over the river below.
After crossing the structure you can then pick up the Kennet and Avon Canal and follow the towpath west. After about a quarter of a mile you can cross the canal and follow paths along other side of the canal back to the aqueduct.
To extend your walk you can continue along the towpath into Bath. Heading east will take you into Bradford on Avon where you can try our Bradford on Avon Canal and River Walk. Heading west will take you to Dundas Aqueduct, a Scheduled Ancient Monument which is well worth a visit. Also nearby is Barton Farm Country Park. Here you will find historic buildings, craft shops and tea rooms while the farmhouse, granary and tithe barn of the original Barton Farm date back to the 14th century.
Avoncliff Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Avoncliff Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Avoncliff OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Avoncliff Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
After you walk you can visit the noteworthy Cross Guns Inn in Avoncliff for refreshments. The pub dates all the way back to 1550 and is a splendid example of Cotswold stone and expert masonry. Indoors there's old gables, wooden beams, stone floors, and cosy roaring fires to warm yourself next to on colder days. Outdoors there are lovely terraced gardens with fine views of the railway aqueduct and the canal. It's the perfect spot to relax in on warm summer days. You can find the pub at 159 Bradford Road with a postcode of BA15 2HB for your sat navs.
Just to the west of Avoncliff there's the lovely village of Freshford where there's another excellent historic pub in the shape of the Inn at Freshford. The pub dates from the 16th century and is ideally located on the banks of the River Frome. There's original timber beams, open fires, and an award winning garden with lovely views of the countryside. You can find it at a postcode of BA2 7WG just to the west of the canal near Avoncliff.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Our circular Freshford Walk starts from the train in the village just to the west of Avoncliff. The route takes you to the aqueduct and explores the pretty village.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Avon valley at Avoncliff. The steep sided River Avon valley has the railway and canal squeezing through as well. Here a train is just leaving Avoncliff station (out of shot right) and entering the north-west corner of the grid square bound for Bath. The canal embankment (out of square) is behind and above the train.
Avoncliff weir. This is the view east from on top of Avoncliff aqueduct. The shadow of the parapet and the photographer can be seen at the bottom of the photo. The river Avon flows underneath, having just come over Avoncliff weir, which these days is only just visible.
Cottages on the canal at Avoncliff. This is where the stretch from Bradford on Avon turns 90 degrees to cross the aqueduct across the River Avon and railway line.
Cafe and houses at Avoncliff. The cafe is on the west of the aqueduct - on the opposite side to the Crossed Guns pub, access from one to the other can be gained by walking under the aqueduct - or swimming the canal!
Derelict mill at Avoncliff weir
Cross Guns, Avoncliff
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View from the bench
River Avon from Avoncliff Aqueduct