Taunton to Bridgwater Canal

This has been the venue for marathon racing in recent years and is much used by DW crews for training. It is owned by the British Waterways Board and over the past few years much work has been done to raise fixed bridges and renew swing bridges in order to raise it to cruiseway standard.

The canal stretches for about 14 miles, from FIREPOOL LOCK (ST231253) to BRIDGWATER DOCKS (ST297375). The town stretches of the canal are uninspiring, but there are 12 miles of interesting paddling with 4 portages between BATHPOOL 2526 and the BOAT and ANCHOR Canal side Inn at 313348 just short of the M5 motorway viaduct. There is much of interest to be seen, the unusual water tower of the Great Western Railway at FIREPOOL Lock, the engine house at CHALTON which pumped water from the River TONE into the canal, the village of NORTH NEWTON, where the Alfred Jewel was found in 1693 on the site of the Church. It is now part of the Crown Jewels. There is also a pleasant inn close to the canal at NORTH NEWTON and overall much to interest the naturalist.

ACCESS. FIREPOOL LOCK (230254) no long term parking.
BATHPOOL (253262) BWB CARPARK next to the Swingbridge. Camping, shop and toilets at St Quintons Hotel 200m away by the A38 bridge.
CREECH ST MICHAEL(273255) New Car Park. Use if portaging into River TONE. Picnic area.
MAUNSELL LOCK (308297) New Car Park and picnic area.
KINGS LOCK-NORTH NEWTON (306314) New Car Park.
CROSSWAYS BRIDGE (309353) Car park and picnic area.
YMCA.BRIDEWATER(295367) Slipway, permission required.

BCU/BWB licence applies, otherwise a £1 day ticket is required, available from
St Quintins Hotel
Bathpool
Taunton
TA2 8BG
01823 259171

Group and weekly rates for non BCU members can be obtained from:
B.W.B.
Craft Licensing Officer
Willow Grange
Church Road
Watford
WD1 3QA