DIRECTIONS Bath Train Station to K&A Canal VIRTUAL TOUR GUIDE

Don’t get lost! We provide virtual directions from Bath Spa Train Station to Bath Abbey. The point of this video is to follow us so you don’t get lost, so lets walk together

Join us today as we take a walking tour giving you directions the Kennet and Avon Canal. It’s a pleasant 5-minute walk from Bath Spa Train Station, leading us over the River Avon and through the Widcombe area of the city, which also marks the start of the Kennet and Avon Canal. For your convenience, we’ve included several starting points in the description—choose the one that suits you best.
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Our walk takes us across the historic Halfpenny Bridge, which spans the River Avon and connects Widcombe to the city center. The original bridge, constructed in 1863 by Hicks & Isaacs, was a 100-foot timber double bowstring trussed bridge. As with other “Halfpenny” bridges, it operated as a pedestrian toll bridge, charging half a penny per person—hence its nickname, Ha’penny Bridge.
On June 6th, 1877, tragedy struck when the bridge collapsed under the weight of hundreds of visitors gathered for the Bath and West Show, a popular agricultural event. The collapse, caused by overcrowding, resulted in eight fatalities and numerous injuries. Later that year, T.E.M. Marsh designed a replacement: a single-span wrought-iron lattice girder bridge, which still stands today.
The bridge’s piers bear historical flood markers, showing how high the river has risen over the years—sometimes over 15 feet! Nowadays, a sluice gate at Pulteney Weir regulates the river flow to prevent flooding. However, a malfunction a few years ago caused the flow to slow dramatically, leading to issues for boats moored between Pulteney Weir and Weston Lock. Some vessels even sank as a result.
We’ve now reached the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal, where Bath Deep Lock awaits. We are now travelling along Widcombe Parade, a charming stretch lined with pubs, restaurants, convenience stores, and coffee shops.
Make sure to check the description for links to more videos, and let’s continue exploring this beautiful area together!
Let’s take a quick look at the markers on the bridges pier, for this we have to drop down under the bridge
It’s surprising how high they are and is a result of all the rainwater that fell in the surrounding areas including the mendio hill. It only takes 24 hours to funnel into the river Avon, so one day it can be calm and the next it can be flowing very fast and risen to these markers!
Here’s a bit of history about the Kennet and Avon Canal our destination today:
The Kennet and Avon Canal stretches 57 miles, linking the River Kennet with the River Avon. Built between 1794 and 1810, the canal was the result of nearly 80 years of effort. Renowned Scottish engineer John Rennie was responsible for its design, which includes the impressive Cane Hill Flight of locks. Initially constructed to transport goods such as coal, iron ore, tobacco, and agricultural products, the canal never achieved the industrial success that was anticipated.
With the advent of the Great Western Railway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the canal fell into disuse. Restoration efforts began in 1963, driven largely by volunteers, and the canal was fully reopened in 1990. Today, it has become a popular destination for boating, canoeing, fishing, walking, and cycling, while also serving as an important site for wildlife conservation.