The Kennet and Avon Canal
Between Pewsey and the confluence of the Kennet with the Thames, the Kennet and Avon Canal is
close to the railway. By using the train for one leg of a journey, you can leave a car at one station or a
nearby pub (but ask first) take the train as far as you like, then walk back, along an almost level towpath.
On weekdays there is an hourly rail service between adjacent stations from Bedwyn to Reading; less frequently on Sundays.
There are now no direct trains between Bedwyn and Pewsey - you have to travel via Hungerford or Newbury, and it takes an hour, and costs! Using two cars might be easier, and you could split the walk into shorter sections.
The Crofton Beam Engines are on the route, while
Wilton Windmill is a mile from the canal.
Use the links to all pubs
below, and the link to the National Rail Timetable when you have decided which stretch to walk and when - the distances
are indicated. Pub postcodes are all somewhere on their websites.
Alternatively you could use the half-hourly Jet Black bus service
along the A4 between Newbury and Reading. There are also
less frequent services between Newbury and Hungerford, and Hungerford and Savernake that might be handy.
A map is hardly required. Just make sure you go in the right direction, and don't fall in! The water does not taste very nice.
RAIL STATIONS
and intervening
distances
Pewsey
9m
Bedwyn
5.5 m
Hungerford
3 m
Kintbury
6 m
Newbury
3.5 m
Thatcham
3 m
Midgham
2 m
Aldermaston
4.5 m
Theale
4.5 m
Reading
3 m (ret)
(Confluence)
PUBS ON OR NEAR THE CANAL
Bistro at Pewsey Wharf
Royal Oak (Wootton Rivers)
Swan (Wilton, 1/2m from the canal)
Three Tuns
Harrow (Little Bedwyn)
Pelican (A4 Froxfield)
John of Gaunt,
Three Swans
Down Gate (Hungerford Common)
Dundas
Red House (Marsh Benham)
Lock Stock and Barrel,
Slug and Lettuce,
The Hatchet (Wetherspoons)
Swan Pay and Display here!
Coach and Horses
Row Barge;
Angel,
(A4 in Woolhampton)
Butt
Fox and Hounds (Sheffield Bottom)
Cunning Man (Burghfield Bridge)
The Oracle Lots of other pubs
Fisherman's Cottage
Nothing at the confluence - return via Thames bank as far as Reading Bridge.