Weekend Breaks
Midweek Breaks: Suggested route options from Devizes Wharf
Monday 2pm – 4pm Arrive at Devizes Wharf (SN10 1EB), load gear on to boat, park car, receive boat handover training (about 1hr) then set off for the Bridge Inn, Horton (01380 860273)* or into the open countryside for a secluded rural mooring. you are advised to pre-book for a Friday night. Moor on towpath side of canal, not too close to a bridge or on a swing bridge landing stage. (* Bridge Inn is open for drinks only on Monday evenings).
Tuesday Set off – it’s 2hrs to Honey Street passing the Alton Barnes White Horse and perhaps stopping there to visit the Honeystreet Mill Cafe (01672 851155) or the Barge Inn (01672 851222). It’s another 2hrs to Pewsey Wharf, with its Waterfront Bistro/Bar (01672 564020) – they may be able to reserve you a mooring if you book a meal with them in advance! But don’t forget the scenery is idyllic along this beautiful 15 mile pound so there is no need to have to do any more than simply moor in the countryside for a picnic or barbecue lunch or dinner! From Pewsey Wharf the bustling village with its lovely museum is a mile down the road – the station, shops and pubs are here. Chocolate-box Wootton Rivers is an hour further: the best mooring at Wootton Rivers is above the first or second lock. The thatched Royal Oak Inn (01672 810322) is excellent for dinner if you wish.
Wednesday From Pewsey its an hour’s crusing to Wootton Rivers Lock, and from there it is about 1.5hrs to Burbage Wharf. If you’re short of time or want to be super relaxed, you can turn there and retrace your steps. Most folk cruise on through the 500-yard Bruce tunnel to Crofton top lock (1hr) where another turning point allows you to find a mooring in the countryside without needing to descened the locks. (It’s also a lovely walk over the tunnel past the remains of the two old Savernake rail stations and the former hotel, now tastefully converted to private apartments). We recommend you moor above Crofton Top Lock and then stroll down the Crofton flight to see or visit the Crofton Beam Engines and pumping station. Opposite, the Wilton Windmill and Swan Inn are about a half mile’s walk around/ past Wilton Water, adjacent to and feeding the water for the Kennet & Avon Canal. If you’re keen boaters, continue on to Great Bedwyn (2hrs) where there is the Three Tuns pubs, a post office and bakery. From here you can also catch a train to Hungerford and walk back along the canal bank to the boat. Turn here and return to the summit or to Wootton Rivers for the evening. Total cruising time from Great Bedwyn back to Devizes is 10hrs.
Thursday Retrace your steps perhaps stopping for lunch at Wilcot Wide next to Ladies Bridge. Moor for the evening no further away than Bishops Cannings to allow a timely arrival next morning before 09.00
Friday 9am arrive at Devizes wharf for unloading.
EARLY RETURN: You are welcome to return and moor at the wharf on Thursday afternoon/ evening, noting that you may be moored alongside other boats. You are welcome to leave the boat early (by prior arrangement) – just ensure, when boarding, that you make the handover team aware of your intended early return and we will give you additional instructions for leaving/ securing the boat, noting that we are not on site to supervise your departure or check the boat in – we do this on Friday morning in your absence.