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Walk Overview
This 16-mile walk follows the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal from the historic city of Gloucester to one of Britain’s most inland ports on the Severn Estuary.
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The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest canal in the world, and even to this day delivers a stunning visual spectacle thanks to its impressive engineering.
With huge swing-bridges and pretty bridge-keepers’ houses to pass along the way, you’ll never be short of landmarks or beautiful viewpoints. The canal itself connects the cathedral city of Gloucester in the Cotswolds to the port of Sharpness, having been originally built to help trade boats avoid a dangerous stretch of the River Severn.
The canal is home to stunning wildlife, including thousands of migrant coastal birds, and delivers views stretching across the Severn Estuary, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds.
This is a long route that’s possible to complete in one day, but you may want to split it over two so you can relax and enjoy the wildlife and scenery as you walk.
This route was voted 92nd in a 2017 ITV poll to find Britain’s Favourite Walk.
TOG VERDICT: A stunning canal walk through some of England’s most celebrated countryside – with fascinating wildlife and historical landmarks along the way.
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Gloucester
