Kennet and Avon Canal - Crofton to Hungerford Paddle Trail

1-2 hours

Duration

6.7 miles

Distance

One Way

Moderate

Difficulty

SN8 3DW

Start Postcode

RG17 0EQ

End Postcode

A. The launch point is at Crofton, turning left from the Pumping Station, towards the east. Put in below Lock 59, and paddle past Crofton Pumping Station, with a first bridge a mile along the route and Locks 60 to 63 en route.

B. The village of Great Bedwyn follows with Bedwyn Church Lock, No. 64. Great Bedwyn was a Saxon city, with thatched cottages, and has many historic features.

C. In quick succession are Burnt Mill lock, No. 65, Potter’s Lock, No. 66, and then at Little Bedwyn, Lock No. 67. Little Bedwyn had a Roman camp, and a Saxon mint, and there is a continuous footbridge over both canal and railway here.

D. It is just over 3 miles to Hungerford now, and Locks 68 to 74 follow. The scenery is pretty, with many flowers and dragonflies being common.

E. You reach the village of Froxfield just before the canal passes into Berkshire. The village has alms houses and brick-and-flint cottages.

F. Hungerford is a small and pretty town, well worth exploring. Your finish is at Hungerford Wharf. Just before the wharf is a very low footbridge, near the church. This often requires a ‘limbo’ in kayaks to get under it, with a portage on the right.

Discover More

Many paddlers know the stretch from Devizes (west of this route) to London, through taking part in the annual Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race, run every year since the 1960s.

This trip starts at the famous Crofton Beam Engine pumping station near the canal, which, at 450 ft. above sea level and 40 ft above other local water resources, was built to pump up water to keep the canal full from local springs.

The 11th century Bedwyn church is a fine example, with embattlements around the tower. The Bedwyn Stone Museum has stone carvings, tombstones, statues, and a dinosaur footprint.

The portages on this route are mainly up grassy banks, which can be slippery. The locks are now being supplied increasingly with mooring and portage points, which are always on the towpath side of the canal.

Facilities:

There is nothing at the start but there is a lovely café and small town with public toilets at the finish.
Check the Crofton Beam Engine website as they steam up on certain weekends and have a tea shop too.

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.