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Bradford-on-Avon on the K&A
Bradford-on-Avon is one of the highlights of the K&A simply some great sights and worth taking your time and stopping off.  In all it is just 5 miles with 1 lock but allow at least 2 hoursplus stopping time here. 

This stretch reaches from the Wildbrook Brige with the Beehive and Beef and Barge pubs either side onwards through bradford lock (14) onwards to the Avoncliff Aqueduct under bridges 174-175 byassing Freshford, touching Limpley Stoke and on the masterpiece of the Dundas Aqueduct.

Dundas and Avoncliff Aqueducts
Charles Dundas was the first chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal company and it was for this reason that John Rennie’s finest work is named. The Dundas Aqueduct was completed in 1805 . Built of Bath stone in the doric-style it is a splendid sight and again a feat of engineering in its time which combined functionality with grand aesthestic design. At Avoncliff whilst a lesser example it is also quite charming and take note of the tiny railway station.

More about Bradford-on-Avon

It was at Bradford and Avon where work on the canal originally startedwith the first sod being cut in 1794 just outside the Canal Tavern.


Somerset Coal Canalformerly known this was an economically important connection with the K&A. Coal was brought from Paulton and Radstock transported via the K&A and onwards via the Wilts and Berks Canal to the Thames. A small section of the Wilts and Berks has been restored by the K&A trust but the campaign continues to restore it in full.

The connection was at the western end of the Dundas Aqueduct: in te the Brassknocker Basin. It was on that Wharf that tolls were levied and paid. The original tollhouse and cast iron crane are being gradually restored and looked after by the K&A Trust.

Latest features from the K&A

» Limpley Stoke Bridge 175

Limpley Stoke Bridge 175 on the K&A… [more]

» Limpley Stoke Bridge and Hop Pole Pub

Limpley Stoke Bridge Kennet and Avon Canal, Limpley Stoke Bridge   © Copyright Pierre Terre and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commo… [more]

» Claverton Puming Station

Claverton Puming Station

Caverton Puming Station on the K&A restored and open to visitors … [more]

» Dundas Aqueduct

Dundas Aqueduct

John Rennie’s finest work it was built to carry the canal over the river Avon and later the railway, completed in 1805 it is a three arch design… [more]

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Why not try the River Thames?
Why not try a river trip by canal boat heading out from Reading to Oxford and Lechlade or upstream to the capital towards Windsor and London…Try our River Thames Guide