Bridgewater and Taunton Canal - Maunsel Lock to Creech St Michael Paddle Trail

2-4 hours

Duration

8 miles

Distance

Out and Back

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

TA7 0DH

Start Postcode

TA7 0DH

End Postcode

A. Carry your craft over the bridge and turn right, down the towpath to put in below Maunsel Lock, opposite the tearoom.

B. Turn left along the canal. Not long after you start you will encounter Higher Lock. Portage on the towpath side.

C. After just over a mile you come to the outskirts of Durston. The canal runs through the village and is crossed by two bridges; Headworthy and Swan's Neck.

D. Reach Creech St Michael after another one and a half miles. The name derives from a creech, or creek, on the River Tone and the parish church of St. Michael, which dates from the 12th century.

E. The canal provides a picturesque route through the village. There are also dramatic remains of the Chard Canal and a ruined aqueduct.

F. This is the end of your journey before you turn to head back to Maunsel. It’s possible to picnic on the bank here or visit the village, which has some good amenities.

G. To extend your journey you could paddle on for another mile to Bathpool and, from there, another two miles to Firepool Lock and the junction with the River Tone in Taunton.

Discover More

The towpath is part of Route 3 of the National Cycle Network. There were several schemes to join the Bristol and English Channels, but the only sections built were the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and the Grand Western Canal. The Canal is part of the Taunton Stop Line – a World War Two fortification – where there are pillboxes and dragons’ teeth along the canal. Many people find this interesting, and anyone in a canoe would be sure to notice the pillboxes.

The Cutting in Bridgwater is unusual, and it’s lovely to go through in a canoe! This leads to the docks, where there is some unusual poetry carved on the beams.

The Somerset Space Walk is on the canal walk between Bridgwater and Taunton. Along the canal are scaled models of the planets, which are placed at accurate intervals along the canal in both directions from the sun at Higher Maunsell Lock. The scale model (530 million:1) of the Solar System is centred around the ‘Sun’ at Maunsel Lock.

Further useful information can be found on the following websites:

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

JOIN PADDLE UK

Safety Information

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.