Bath to Bradford on Avon Canal Walk

This is a popular walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon. It's about a 10 mile walk along the towpath taking you from Somerset into Wiltshire on the southern fringes of the Cotswolds AONB.
On the way you'll pass pretty locks, lots of barges, delightful little cottages, interesting villages, and attractive parks and gardens.
Walk Report October 11th 2026 By Rachel Turner:
We set off from Bath Locks for our walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towards Bradford on Avon.... It was a pleasant day for walking, with a little breeze in the air and plenty going on along the water. There were narrowboats moored beside the towpath, others moving slowly through the locks, and people out walking their dogs or enjoying a gentle stroll. I always enjoy canal walks because there is so much to look at without having to tackle steep hills, and this route promised a good mix of historic places, countryside and waterside scenery.
One of the first places we made time for was Sydney Gardens, just off the canal at Bathwick. Rather than simply walking past, we took a detour to explore the gardens and have a proper look around. They have a fascinating history as Georgian pleasure gardens, and it was easy to imagine people coming here for an afternoon out centuries ago. The paths wind through mature trees and open green spaces, and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. One particularly nice moment was watching a train pass beneath the old footbridge, a reminder that this historic garden sits right alongside modern Bath. There is also a good children’s playground, so it would make a worthwhile stop for families.
We stopped for refreshments at the café beside the Holburne Museum, which was just what we needed before continuing. I ordered an iced tea and enjoyed sitting outside for a while, watching people wander through the gardens. There was a lively atmosphere, with some young performers nearby adding a little background noise to the afternoon. It felt like a lovely place to pause rather than rushing straight back to the towpath. If you have time, the museum and its surroundings are worth exploring too, particularly if you enjoy Bath’s Georgian architecture and cultural history.
Back beside the canal, we continued towards Bathampton, passing locks, moored boats and attractive cottages along the water. We took a short detour towards Bathampton Toll Bridge, where there are lovely views of the River Avon and the weir below. It’s a good spot for photographs, and we lingered for a few minutes watching the water move over the weir. The route then continues through the countryside towards Claverton, where the historic pumping station is a reminder of the engineering that helped keep the canal working. I liked how the scenery gradually became greener and quieter as we moved away from the city.
A real highlight was reaching the Dundas Aqueduct, where the canal crosses high above the River Avon. Looking over the surrounding countryside from the aqueduct is quite different from walking at river level, and it’s worth slowing down to appreciate the view. We saw a few boats making their way along the canal, and the combination of water, stonework and wooded hills made this one of the most memorable sections of the day. Beyond here, the route continues through the Limpley Stoke and Freshford area, with stretches of woodland and open countryside along the way.
Further along, the impressive Avoncliff Aqueduct provided another landmark before we reached Barton Farm Country Park. It’s remarkable to see the canal carried across the valley on such substantial stonework, with the railway line and river below. Barton Farm is worth allowing extra time to explore if you’re not in a hurry. The historic farm buildings give the area plenty of character, and Bradford on Avon itself has attractive old streets and buildings to wander around once you reach the end.
This is a long walk, at around ten miles, so I’d recommend setting aside most of the day rather than treating it as a quick outing. The towpath is generally level, but the distance adds up, and there are plenty of places where you’ll want to stop for photographs or refreshments. For us, Sydney Gardens was a particularly enjoyable early detour, and the café stop made the day feel more like a leisurely exploration of Bath and the canal than simply a long walk between two towns. Finishing in Bradford on Avon, with its historic centre and canalside setting, was a lovely end to the journey. If you fancy extending your walk around Bath, the Bath Skyline Walk is another option, with lovely views over the city.
Pubs and More Info
In Avoncliff be sure to investigate the noteworthy Cross Guns Inn. 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.
There's also the excellent Bathampton Mill to consider. The pub is in a lovely spot on the River Avon in the village. There's a lovely large garden and courtyard area where you can relax with views over the water. Inside there's a sylish interior with a log fire and delicious Mediterranean cuisine to sample from the menu. You can find them right on the river on Mill Lane with a postcode of BA2 6TS for your sat navs. There's also a large car park if you wanted to start a walk from there.
The circular Bathampton Walk starts in Bathampton and visits Monkton Coombe, Limpley Stoke and the excellent American Museum at Claverton. The museum is one of the highlights of the area and well worth a small detour from the canal. It takes you on a journey through the history of America with exhibitions and a fine collection of folk and decorative arts. There's also 125 acres of grounds with views of the Limpley Stoke Valley and the River Avon.
On the western side of Bath there's the noteworthy village of Newton St Loe to visit. It includes the attractive Newton College and Newton Park where there's an 18th-century landscaped garden, designed by the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown. There's also a historic 18th century country house and a fine 17th century pub to see too.
On the north western outskirts of the city there's the little village of Kelston where you can pick up the Kelston Roundhill Walk. This popular circular walk takes you up to an ancient barrow where there are wonderful views to the Wiltshire Downs, the Mendip Hills and the Black Mountains of Wales. There's also a fine 17th century pub to visit in the village afterwards.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Somerset Walks page.

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Barton Farm Country Park Somerset Coal Canal Kennet and Avon Canal Walk Bath Skyline Walk Avoncliff Norton St Philip

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Kennet and Avon Canal above Bathampton

Dundas Aqueduct

Sydney Gardens, Bath. These beautiful gardens are located right next to the canal at the end of Great Pulteney Street. The Grade II listed gardens are notable as the only remaining eighteenth-century pleasure gardens in the country. Features included a maze, grotto, sham castle and an artificial rural scene with moving figures powered by a clockwork mechanism. The park also includes the Grade I listed Holburne Museum. Here you will find Bath's first public art gallery which includes pieces by Gainsborough, Guardi, Stubbs, Ramsay and Zoffany.

Bathampton Toll Bridge. Just off the route this noteworthy old bridge is worth a small detour from the canal. The Grade II listed bridge was built of Bath stone in 1872. You can find the old Toll house next to it with a board advertising the historical toll prices.

A view over the village of Claverton. There is just the single street, lined with charming stone properties dating back to the 17th century. Claverton Manor (not in shot) is higher up the hill behind, and is now the American Museum. The manor was built about 1820. On 26 July 1897 when he was 23, Winston Churchill made his first political speech here. The museum is well worth a visit if you have time. It takes you on a journey through the history of America with a exhibitions and a fine collection of folk and decorative arts. There's also 125 acres of grounds with views of the Limpley Stoke Valley and the River Avon. 

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.

Avoncliff Aqueduct with trip boat. A trip boat is crossing the Avoncliff Aqueduct on the Kennet & Avon Canal. The aqueduct was completed in 1798. The architect and engineer was John Rennie.

Canal at Bradford on Avon

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