Hungerford to Great Bedwyn Canal Walk

5.1 miles (8.2 km)

This waterside walk follows a pleasant section of the Kennet and Avon Canal Walk from Hungerford to Great Bedwyn.
The flat, easy route runs for a distance of just over 5 miles passing Froxfield and Little Bedwyn. Along the way there are a series of pretty locks, and fine views of the River Dun and the surrounding Berkshire countryside.
The journey begins near the scenic Hungerford Wharf, where the canal sits alongside traditional narrowboats and historic Victorian warehouses.... Heading west, the path enters the Freeman's Marsh and Hungerford Common areas, which are renowned for their ecological diversity. These ancient wetlands and water meadows provide a sanctuary for various wildlife; keep a keen eye out for water voles in the banks and kingfishers darting across the water. The area is also a prime spot for seeing grey herons, mute swans, and a variety of dragonflies during the warmer summer months.
As you cross the border from Berkshire into Wiltshire, the landscape becomes increasingly rural and wooded. A significant landmark on this stretch is the Froxfield Middle Lock, one of the many historic locks that demonstrate the 19th-century engineering of the waterway. The canal here is bordered by mature willow and alder trees, offering plenty of dappled shade. The peaceful atmosphere is occasionally punctuated by the sound of red kites soaring above the nearby chalk hills, a common sight in this part of the North Wessex Downs.
The walk passes the picturesque Great Bedwyn Wharf, situated near the village’s impressive stone church. Great Bedwyn is famously home to the Crofton Beam Engines, located just a short distance further along the canal, which are the oldest working steam engines in the world still capable of performing their original task. With railway stations at both ends of the trail on the Great Western main line, this route is one of the most convenient and visually rewarding car-free walks in the region.