canal boat trip swindon

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Boat Trips

In a nutshell

Treat the family to a boat trip on the Dragonfly and get to see some restored sections of the lovely Wilts & Berks Canal in Swindon. It's a great way to spe

Waitrose Landing Stage, Mill Lane, Swindon

Contact details

Tel: 07401 220 076

Activity type

Gardens and Open Spaces, Indoor Activities, Outdoor Activities, Trips and Transport

Suitable for

Ages 5 - 12, All ages, Teenagers, Under 5s

Price guide

£14.00.

(based on family of 4)

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Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Boat Trips details...

Treat the family to a boat trip on the Dragonfly and get to see some restored sections of the lovely Wilts & Berks Canal in Swindon. It’s a great way to spend time on this historic canal out in the fresh air. Trips last about one hour and can also be accessed from Kingshill Landing Stage (SN1 4NG).

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Wilts & Berks Canal

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Wilts & Berks Canal - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• (0.59 km) The Runner Pub
• (0.57 km) Hall & Woodhouse
• (1.28 km) Greek Olive
• (0.76 km) Carbonara, Trattoria & Bar
• (1.05 km) Harper's Steakhouse & Bar at the Weighbridge
• (0.53 km) Wichelstowe Footbridge
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• (1.62 km) STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
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Boat trip for wheelchair users - Wilts & Berks Canal

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Wiltshire    
• Swindon    
• Swindon - Things to Do    
• Wilts & Berks Canal

We have lived in Swindon for 33 years and did not know this existed. Anyway having seen a you tube... read more

Well worth a walk to look at different parts of the canal. The section in Winchelstowe is great... read more

Boat trip for wheelchair users

Went on this boat trip recently because my Mother is a wheelchair user but so wanted to go on a boat. From my first enquiries it was clear that they were able and very happy to accommodate a wheelchair user so I booked it up immediately. The crew and helpers couldn't have been more friendly, and so incredibly pleasant. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone, but particularly to anyone who is in wheelchair because I don't know of anywhere else where you can get on a boat with a wheelchair. The trip lasts about an hour and is most relaxing. Refreshments are offered on board too. Do book in advance to avoid disappointment because this is a very popular attraction. Would recommend wheelchair users to take a bolster cushion of some kind as otherwise you may sit slightly lower than ideal for viewing.

Had family from Chicago visiting so took them for the canal boat trip. Just long enough for small children. Some lovely scenery and crew were full of information and very friendly. Bonus is you only have to pay for adults.

The canal at Swindon is accessible behind the petrol station at Kingshill and it is in the process of being restored. There is a lovely walk along the towpath and a wonderful Victorian bridge. You can stop at Waitrose and have a cup of tea and a bun over-looking the canal. There are relaxing boat trips - we watched the boat go past but were just too late for a trip as they only run at certain times, although we will definitely go another time. A wonderful way to pass an afternoon - it really needs to be advertised more.

The Wilts and Berks canal originally stretched from Melksham to near Reading. A short stretch remains (accessible from the rear of the Kingshill - by the petrol station). Around two miles of the canal has been restored here and on the right days you can take a boat along a stretch - on any day you can see plenty of wildlife and enjoy the quiet tranquility the location provides. Well maintained (entirely by volunteers) and certainly worth a visit if you want to relax for an hour or so.

the canal at kingshill has narrow boat trips,the boat is called the dragon fly and the trip is an hour long,children go free but adults pay £5 each and worth every penny,i did not even know this gem existed after living in swindon since 63.you feel like you are miles out in the country.we will do it again,it was a very enjoyable hour and we all got a cup of tea or coffee on the boat too.The only complaint i have is it should be more published.

The beginning of the canal at the bottom of Kingshill is filled with rubbish and I'm afraid most of the canal is stagnant. I feel sorry for the few ducks left there. The clever ones have relocated. The Waitrose end has been restored to some extent but it's not a pleasant walk to be fair. There is a huge amount of litter,mostly empty cans and bottles strewn in and out of the water and at times I have felt unsafe walking down there. A good short cut to Waitrose or Wichelstow but a pleasant walk. No!

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30th November 2022

Swindon canal link set to go ahead

A planning application has been submitted which should see work begin in 2023 on building an important length of new canal in Swindon and linking together two existing sections of the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration scheme.

The Wilts & Berks Canal and its northern branch the North Wilts Canal once linked the Kennet & Avon Canal to the River Thames and the Thames & Severn Canal; however since abandonment in 1914, sections of both canals have been lost as Swindon town centre has been redeveloped on parts of the original route. Despite this, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has plans to restore both canals, by a combination of restoration of parts of the original route and construction of a new diversionary route around the south side of Swindon. It has been helped on its way by the development of Wichelstowe, a major residential expansion on the south side of the town. Thanks to planning conditions from the local authority and the realisation that a waterway adds to the attraction and value of new housing, construction of the early phases of Wichelstowe have included restoring a length of the original route (which now supports a trip-boat operation) and building a section of brand new canal, complete with a lock.

The new length of canal at East Wichel could soon be linked to the restored section of the original canal to create a much longer length

Now, subject to planning consent, the next phase of Wichelstowe will see these sections connected together by further sections of new and restored canal, with work starting in 2023 but expected to take ‘several years’. Once complete, this will create a 4km length of navigable canal; it will also improve the case for funding the new navigable culvert needed to carry the canal under the M4 motorway on its way out of Swindon (this has already received development funding from Highways England), in the longer term opening the canal from Swindon to Royal Wootton Bassett, and ultimately reopening the through route.

To find out more about the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration, see our restoration feature article here

by Martin Ludgate

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Bookings open next month for Christmas Wilts & Berks Canal boat trips

By  Barrie Hudson  - 15 September 2023

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has announced this year's series of Christmas trips aboard its vessel Dragonfly.

The trips will run from the trust's landing stage Waitrose every weekend inDecember plus Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday 23. 

Trust spokesperson Chris Barry said: "If there is demand, we will aim to run on the Monday and/or Tuesday before Christmas as well.  What happens is that Santa gets on the boat (decorated, of course) with a big sack and gives each child an age and gender-appropriate present specially for them.

"If the child has been before, Santa might say something like, 'My, you’ve grown since last time!' The kids take it in their stride of course, but the parents and grandparents love it!

"The trips will run at 10.30am, 11.15am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 2.15pm and 3pm.  They last about half an hour and Santa is with the children most of that time; there’s usually time to shout for Santa and sing some songs.

"We have kept prices the same as last year - £6 for adults, £12 for children – more for them, as they get a present!"

Bookings open from Monday 2 October 2. To book, people can email  [email protected]  or call 07401 220076. 

Mr Barry added: "Texts to this number are not monitored, so please don’t text! Bookings must be made at least five days in advance and preferably much earlier, as we need to wrap all the presents and get them to the right place at the right time.  

"We accept parties of no more than 12 people; booking is confirmed only on receipt of payment.  Dragonfly is wheelchair-friendly, though there is only room for one at a time.

"In previous years we have found that demand increases as Christmas gets nearer, so try and book as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment."  

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Boat trip for wheelchair users - Wilts & Berks Canal

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Wiltshire    
• Swindon    
• Swindon - Things to Do    
• Wilts & Berks Canal

We have lived in Swindon for 33 years and did not know this existed. Anyway having seen a you tube... read more

Well worth a walk to look at different parts of the canal. The section in Winchelstowe is great... read more

Boat trip for wheelchair users

Went on this boat trip recently because my Mother is a wheelchair user but so wanted to go on a boat. From my first enquiries it was clear that they were able and very happy to accommodate a wheelchair user so I booked it up immediately. The crew and helpers couldn't have been more friendly, and so incredibly pleasant. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone, but particularly to anyone who is in wheelchair because I don't know of anywhere else where you can get on a boat with a wheelchair. The trip lasts about an hour and is most relaxing. Refreshments are offered on board too. Do book in advance to avoid disappointment because this is a very popular attraction. Would recommend wheelchair users to take a bolster cushion of some kind as otherwise you may sit slightly lower than ideal for viewing.

Had family from Chicago visiting so took them for the canal boat trip. Just long enough for small children. Some lovely scenery and crew were full of information and very friendly. Bonus is you only have to pay for adults.

The canal at Swindon is accessible behind the petrol station at Kingshill and it is in the process of being restored. There is a lovely walk along the towpath and a wonderful Victorian bridge. You can stop at Waitrose and have a cup of tea and a bun over-looking the canal. There are relaxing boat trips - we watched the boat go past but were just too late for a trip as they only run at certain times, although we will definitely go another time. A wonderful way to pass an afternoon - it really needs to be advertised more.

The Wilts and Berks canal originally stretched from Melksham to near Reading. A short stretch remains (accessible from the rear of the Kingshill - by the petrol station). Around two miles of the canal has been restored here and on the right days you can take a boat along a stretch - on any day you can see plenty of wildlife and enjoy the quiet tranquility the location provides. Well maintained (entirely by volunteers) and certainly worth a visit if you want to relax for an hour or so.

the canal at kingshill has narrow boat trips,the boat is called the dragon fly and the trip is an hour long,children go free but adults pay £5 each and worth every penny,i did not even know this gem existed after living in swindon since 63.you feel like you are miles out in the country.we will do it again,it was a very enjoyable hour and we all got a cup of tea or coffee on the boat too.The only complaint i have is it should be more published.

The beginning of the canal at the bottom of Kingshill is filled with rubbish and I'm afraid most of the canal is stagnant. I feel sorry for the few ducks left there. The clever ones have relocated. The Waitrose end has been restored to some extent but it's not a pleasant walk to be fair. There is a huge amount of litter,mostly empty cans and bottles strewn in and out of the water and at times I have felt unsafe walking down there. A good short cut to Waitrose or Wichelstow but a pleasant walk. No!

Visit our canal side attractions

This page is still being updated, please check back soon.

Boats, beautiful scenery and tranquil walks, a wide variety of wildlife and of course not forgetting our volunteers working hard to restore and maintain this beautiful canal. You’ll see all this and more when you visit the Wilts & Berks Canal at Pewsham.

Whether you jog, cycle or just slowly amble along the towpath you will see the history of the canal being brought back to life. Take a seat and let the world go by at a slower pace of a bygone age. Watch the canal for sights of ducks, moorhen, swans, and heron or spot the blue flash of the local kingfisher. Gaze skywards to see the buzzards and Red Kites circling lazily overhead. Take a trip on our boat The Mary Archard, specially designed to cater for wheelchair users.

Finally stop for a few minutes and chat to the volunteers who will be more than happy to talk to you about the current work they are doing and about the history, and future, of this lovely canal.

Boat Trips usually take place on the second Saturday of each month from April to September weather and water depth permitting. No need to book or buy tickets, just turn up and make a donation. Please note due to COVID-19 restrictions they are not currently running, we will update this page when this changes.

Wichelstowe

The new canal-side development at Wichelstowe is an excellent place to visit and has even been nominated for regional civil engineering awards! Attractions include the Hall & Woodhouse pub, where you can enjoy food or drinks outside, overlooking the canal. From there, you'll spot our landing stage where our narrow boat Dragonfly is moored, and departs for lesuirely boat trips.

If you like to keep moving, you can access the canal towpaths for scenic walks or cycling. 

The Sackhouse

At the wharf, wantage, ox12 9gf.

The Canal Trust's museum and visitor centre at the entrance to what was Wantage Wharf. The wharf stood at the end of the one mile branch from the main Abingdon-Swindon line of the canal, accessed by a junction just before Grove Top Lock. At various times the building, which dates back to around 1810, was used as a weighbridge, office and coal merchants.

For more information, including opening time and contact information, please visit the East Vale & Abingon branch website .

Dauntsey Lock

If you're looking for a spot of lunch or a drink with a view, why not visit the Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock. The pub overlooks a (currently) unrestored section of the Wilts & Berks Canal. The Peterborough Arms is a locally owned and run pub, offering the friendly community pub experience.

Wildlife spotting

Go for a scenic walk along any of our canal towpaths and see which wildlife you can spot! Our interactive map has biodiversity information on our various canalside inhabitants, but we think it's best to just get out there and see them for yourself. Please do send us any pictures or videos you manage to capture.

Check out our own videos below! 

Wildlife fest 2 - the best clip I've ever got of a water vole! If you'd like to find out more about what the Trust is doing, ciick on one of the following links - www.wbct.org.uk @wbctcanal #wiltsandberkscanal Posted by Wilts & Berks Canal Trust on  Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Wildlife fest 3 - mother with 15 - yes, 15 - ducklings steers them away from a lurking predator.... The Trust is by no... Posted by Wilts & Berks Canal Trust on  Saturday, 2 May 2020

Wildlife fest 4 Like the heron, the Trust is by no means inactive during lockdown. To learn more, feel free to visit our... Posted by Wilts & Berks Canal Trust on  Tuesday, 5 May 2020

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