Photos: Basile Morin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Chris Holifield , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Stanisław Wyspiański, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo credits
Photos: Basile Morin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Chris Holifield , Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Stanisław Wyspiański, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath
Your local guide
Thomas Ashworth
View profile
Highlights
- A canal cut through ornamental gardens
- Locks working almost as they always have
- Narrowboats moored below the city
- A quieter route through Bath
- Early nineteenth century canal engineering
About this tour
This call follows the Kennet and Avon Canal as it threads through Bath, from an ornamental cutting in Sydney Gardens to a working flight of locks. You see narrowboats moored along the towpath with the city behind them. I explain how the canal was built and why it nearly disappeared.
We start with a sound check at the canal cutting, then follow the towpath in stages, stopping at the locks to watch how they work. I answer questions as we walk and send a short route note afterwards.
It suits anyone who enjoys a slower pace and a view of Bath away from its famous streets. It also works well for those interested in canal or engineering history.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
-
Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Bath before heading out.
-
Sydney Gardens cutting 21 min
You see the canal pass directly through Sydney Gardens in a deep cutting crossed by ornamental iron bridges, an unusual choice for a canal company to build somewhere so decorative.
-
Canal locks 21 min
At a flight of locks you watch the mechanics of raising a narrowboat between water levels, and I explain how the system has barely changed since it opened in the early 1800s.
-
Towpath viewpoint 21 min
From a bend in the towpath you look back over moored narrowboats with the city rising behind them, a quieter view of Bath than most tours reach.
-
Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Bath: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Afternoon tea and Georgian Bath, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in London time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Bath, showing you Sydney Gardens cutting and Canal locks live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We connect on a video call at the canal cutting, and I follow the towpath at an easy pace.
Times shown in London time (GMT)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 9 seats left From 26,00 €
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