Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 49 on the Kennet and Avon Canal

About the location

Base 49 is just outside the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is a family owned operation, offering high standards of service. It is easily accessed by road or rail.

A wide variety of boats are available from this base, including larger boats for families or friends for short breaks, weeks or longer.

Routes from this base

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)

Bath Top Lock and Return

16 miles • 2 locks • 5 hours

West from the base join the Kennet and Avon Canal over an aqueduct in the hamlet of Avoncliffe, and then the magnificent Dundas Aqueduct carrying the canal high over the River Avon. The waterway enters Bath through the romantic tunnels of Sydney Gardens. World Heritage site Bath offers Georgian crescents and Roman Baths and some of the best city scenes in Britain.

Saltford Lock and Return

30 miles • 16 locks • 15 hours

Head west 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.

Foxhanger Wharf and Return

22 miles • 16 locks • 14 hours

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

One week routes

Bristol and Return

54 miles • 28 locks • 24 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.

Pewsey and Return

50 miles • 72 locks • 34 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

Two week routes

Hungerford, Newbury or Reading and Return

76/94/134 miles • 120/142/186 locks • 54/64/90 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.