Canal Boat Holiday Base 46 Information - on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Short Break Routes One Week Routes Longer routes Boats from Base 46

About the Area

Base 46 is located in the historic town of Bath, on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is run by one of the largest boat operators in the UK and is easily accessible by road or rail.

Only five minutes from the base are Bath's visitor moorings. From here you can explore the World Heritage city of Bath with its Georgian crescents, Roman Baths and superb cityscape. A good location for a city break!

Routes from Base 46

Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.

Short break routes (3 - 4 nights)

Dundas Aqueduct and Return
8 miles • 0 locks • 4 hours

The Kennet and Avon canal runs east through the beautiful Limpley Stoke valley to the magnificent Dundas Aqueduct carrying the canal high over the River Avon.

Saltford Lock and Return
14 miles • 16 locks • 6 hours

Head west towards Bristol, down the locks to Bath City Centre and Pulteney lock, to Saltford lock which marks the last turning point before the no-waiting section to Bristol.

Bristol and Return
36 miles • 26 locks • 16 hours

Beyond Bath is the great city of Bristol and its Floating Harbour. Its shops, waterfront bars, clubs, restaurants, museums offer something for just about everyone. Bristol's modernised but historic harbourside gives a blend of the old and the new in this bustling city. See Brunel's iron steamship SS Great Britain or go hands-on in @Bristol.

Foxhanger Wharf and Return
38 miles • 16 locks • 21 hours

East beyond Bradford on Avon head into the countryside towards Seend, turning before the Caen Hill flight of locks.

One week routes

Pewsey and Return
66 miles • 74 locks • 42 hours

Continue further east along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Devizes, this time ascending the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks (timed opening) through the Vale of the White Horse to Pewsey. Return down the Caen Hill locks

Longer routes

Hungerford, Newbury or Reading and Return
94/112/153 miles • 122/144/188 locks • 62/72/98 hours

East of Pewsey follow the Kennet and Avon through a mixture of locks, swing and lift bridges through Hungerford and Newbury and perhaps to the end of the canal at Reading. See the Crofton Pump Station with the world's oldest working Beam Engine between Pewsey and Hungerford.

We would not recommend a first timer to cruise to Bristol along the River Avon - as this is a tidal river section and not for the inexperienced.