Walking

walkers_and_swans_at_e_manley__john_morton_-_devon_county_photography_[1]The Country Park is a popular place to enjoy a flat, easy walk in the countryside. You have the opportunity to stroll near settlements and services or to get away from it all and explore the quieter sections at the northern end of the Canal.

The Canal towpath is a public right of way that runs beside the Canal for the full eleven and a quarter miles. The towpath has been extensively resurfaced. Access points are located throughout the length of the Country Park. Several circular walks incorporating the towpath and the local footpath network are possible (see below).

Every 6 weeks the Canal Rangers lead a healthy walk starting at various points along the Canal, as part of the Tiverton Walk and Talk programme. For more information see the Walking for Health website.

Picnic sites are located at the Canal Basin in Tiverton, Crownhill Bridge, Tiverton Road Bridge, Greenway Bridge, Sampford Peverell, Whipcott Bridge and Lowdwells.


Circular Walks

The canal provides a long linear walk along the towpath, which is connected to a number of circular walking routes including:

  • Canal Basin to Manley via Old Railway walk

    Canal Basin to Manley via Old Railway walk

    This walk starts from the Country Park’s Canal Basin and continues along the towpath offering some stunning views of Mid Devon countryside. You’ll then leave the towpath, joining onto a quiet road which leads onto a woodland track that brings you back to Tiverton. Look out for a variety of wildlife on the walk including swans, moorhens, kingfishers, as well as dragonflies and damselflies. You will also see some of the canal heritage include limekilns, bridges, and milestones.


    Details: 

    Start & Finish:

    Canal Basin, Canal Hill, Tiverton, Devon EX164HX. (What3Words: ///stick.first.modes)

    Distance:

    2.5 miles (3.8km)

    Facilities:

    Pay & display car park, toilets, cafés, boat hire, visitor centre and the much-loved horse drawn barge.

    Refreshments:

    Refreshments can be found at the Canal Tea Rooms and the Duck Ditty Floating Café and Bar.


    Route: 

    1. Start the walk within the Canal Basin.
    2. Leaving the Canal Basin and continue along the towpath.
    3. After about half a mile, the Canal makes a wide sweep to enable barges to pass under the round arched Tidcombe Bridge. If you look into the field on your right you should be able to see Tidcombe Hall.
    4. Continue along the towpath, passing under Warnicombe Bridge.
    5. Here the towpath wines it way through Snakes Wood until it reaches the second round arched stone bridge – Manley Bridge.
    6. Immediately after passing under Manley Bridge, leave the Canal towpath, walk past a gate and through a small car park. Turn right into Manley Lane; walk along this quite country road.
    7. After approximately 200 yards, turn left by the old railway bridge, walk down the slope, and join the old railway line track, which runs roughly parallel to the Canal.
    8. Continue walking along the footpath surrounded by trees and farmland. This track was once home to the Tivvy Bumper railway line.
    9. Soon afterwards the houses of Glebelands estate begin to appear on the left, and Pool Anthony Railway Bridge spans the walk.
    10. After a quarter of a mile at Tidcombe Lane Railway Bridge, you can either continue on the path or deviate off briefly to take a look at Tidcombe Fen SSSI.
    11. Retrace your steps back to Tidcombe Lane Railway Bridge and continue along it until you reach a gate at the end.
    12. At the gate you should see a blue signpost in front of you and a small car park in the distance. Make your way towards the car park crossing over Old Road.
    13. Once at the car park turn left into Lewis Avenue. Walking up the hill until the crossroads.
    14. At the top of the slope, you will meet a crossroads, go straight ahead into Hermes Avenue. Walk past the garages and Butler’s Close on your right and return to the Canal Basin Car Park by way of a narrow footpath.

    Points of Interest:

    Canal Basin, Tiverton

    Canal Basin

    The Canal Basin in Tiverton represents the south-western terminus of the Canal. It is the main gateway for the Country Park comprising of a large pay and display car park, Canal Visitor Centre, cafes and tea rooms, a gift shop, boat hire facilities, children’s play park and the Canal Ranger Service offices.  Public toilets are located near the entrance to this car park.

    The Canal Basin can be accessed from the car park by steps or by the ramps provided at either end of the car park.  But before you head up, maybe take a moment to notice the archways in the walls beside the car park – they give a clue as to the original reason for canal’s construction. Above each archway was a limekiln and the main cargo on the Grand Western Canal was limestone which was brought to these limekilns to be burnt.  You can discover more about this process and see inside the last remaining open kiln at the top of the steps.  The lime kiln complex is Grade II-listed, and the long stretch of original stone wall which retains the lime kilns is a key feature of the Canal Basin landscape.

    The Canal Visitor Centre has a range of fascinating displays about the Canal’s turbulent history, its stunning wildlife and information about the range of activities you can enjoy.  It also has lots of hands on activities and games for children and adults alike and is a great place to start your journey along this beautiful canal.

    It is also home to the Tiverton Canal Co which runs the horse drawn barge, canoe and rowing boat hire, the Old Stable gift shop and the floating Ducks Ditty Café-Bar.

    The Canal Tea Rooms is also located at the end of the car park.


    Tidcombe Hall

    Tidcombe Hall

    During the construction of the Canal, the Bishop of Exeter caused considerable problems for the Canal Company by refusing permission for the Canal to be built within 100 yards of his home.  This meant that the canal had to make a large loop at this point to avoid the former rectory, now known as Tidcombe Hall. If you look across the canal behind you, you can see the building across the field on the opposite side of the canal.  As well as being a rectory, the building has also served as a Marie Curie hospice and as private flats.  At the time of writing (2023) the building is derelict awaiting refurbishment or redevelopment.


    Warnicombe Bridge / Snakes Wood

    HD Barge at Warnicombe (Mark Gliddon)

    This Snakes Wood section of the canal comprises of large mature oak trees, and a short, wooded section on both sides of the Canal. Most of this woodland lies to the south of the canal and is a privately owned County Wildlife Site. It has a secretive and enclosed feel which contrasts with the more open landscape at either end.

    Here you will also find Warnicombe Bridge. When the Canal was built, it divided many farmers’ lands into two. They were offered a choice of an ‘accommodation bridge’ to enable them to access their land across the canal, or compensation of £100. Four opted for bridges; one of these being Warnicombe Bridge. They were originally timber bridges, but they were upgraded to metal during the twentieth century.


    Canberra Bomber Panel

    Canberra Bomber Information Panel

    On 21st November 1961, a Canberra bomber crashed into the Canal.  A memorial stone was placed here on the 45th anniversary of the crash and a panel explains more of what happened during this tragic accident.


    The Tivvy Bumper

    The Tivvy Bumper (Great Western Railway Engine No. 1442) once ran along here. The line opened in 1848. The coming of the railway put the Canal out of business. The railway was then also made redundant during the Beeching cuts. The ‘Tivvy Bumper’ now rests in its last stopping place, Tiverton Museum on St. Andrew Street.


    Tidcombe Lane Fen

    Tidcombe Lane Fen is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), as it contains a type of wetland habitat that is now scarce nationally and rare in Devon, only one other undisturbed example being known to remain in the county. The fen meadow vegetation present contains a wide diversity of plants and displays an unusual variation in its flora composition.


  • Swan's Neck Circular Walk

    Swan’s Neck Circular Walk

    The Swan’s Neck Circular is a short scenic stroll which gives walkers a great taste of the Grand Western Canal. This 2 1/4 mile route is mostly off road and is well way-marked in both directions. This is an easy route mostly following the canal’s level towpath. Suitable for families. The route is waymarked with Swan’s Neck Circular signs.

    Swans Neck Circular Route


    Details: 

    Start & Finish:

    Tiverton Road Bridge Car Park: EX16 7AY (What3Words: ///ducks.alas.staining)

    Distance:

    2.25 miles (3.6km)

    Facilities:

    Free parking is available at Tiverton Road Bridge car park and Greenway car park. Nearest toilets are at the Hickory Inn and Swans Neck Café.

    Refreshments:

    Refreshments can be found in Halberton at the Hickory Inn, Halberton Court Farm Shop, Swans Neck Café and at weekends in Tiverton Road Car Park at the Box Circa 75 mobile coffee shop.


    Route: 

    1. From the car park go across the white Dudley Weatherly Jubilee Footbridge.
    2. Turn left onto the canal towpath.
    3. Continue along the towpath, looking out for moorhens, ducks, swans and, if you’re really lucky, kingfishers. Enjoy the views out across the fields, including the colourful strips of vegetables of Halberton Court Farm Shop.
    4. Continue under Sellake Bridge.
    5. At Greenway Bridge, leave the canal through the green swing gate.
    6. Turn right and walk down the road, taking care of passing vehicles.
    7. Before you reach the main road go through the waymarked metal gate on the right.
    8. Follow the path around the edge of the field. Take care as this path can get muddy in wet weather.
    9. Leave the path at the waymarked gate. Refreshments can be found in the Halberton Court Farm Shop and at the Swan’s Neck Café.
    10. Cross the road, towards the bus shelter on the opposite side, take extreme car as this can be a busy road.
    11. Walk past the bus shelter and join the pavement. At the road junction cross over and continue to follow the road round to the right.
    12. Turn left up a steep incline, go through the waymarked gate and continue to follow the path.
    13. Re-join the canal towpath, turning right towards Sampford Peverell.
    14. Go under Tiverton Road Bridge and follow the loop of the canal which takes you back to the footbridge and Tiverton Road Bridge car park.

    Points of Interest:

    Dudley Weatherley Jubilee Bridge

    This lift bridge was designed and built by Stoneman Engineering and installed by South West Highways in 2002 – for the Queen’s 50th jubilee year – and is named after a well-known local artist who was prominent in the campaign to save the canal back in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Sadly Dudley Graham Weatherley died in 2004, aged 92, but this elegant lift bridge will help to keep his memory alive for generations to come.

    Dudley Weatherly Jubilee Bridge & Swans


    The Swans Neck (Tiverton Road Bridge to Greenway Bridge)

    From Tiverton Road Bridge the canal sweeps out on a large loop above the village of Halberton. This section is known as ‘the Swans Neck’ as from a birds eye view it resembles the curve in the neck of a swan. The reason for the curve is that when the Canal was constructed, rather than using locks, the canal engineer, John Rennie, felt it was more efficient commercially to construct embankments, cuttings and long bends where necessary to keep the canal on a level contour.

    A circular route incorporating this section of towpath and some recently-created paths provide a very pleasant and largely off-road walk. This section is surrounded by farmland and for a few hundred metres on the offside, the Tiverton Golf Club. The area offers some wonderful views across to the Blackdown Hills (an AONB) and the long ridges which characterise the East Devon landscape. There are also good views across to Halberton, featuring St Andrews Church and Halberton Court Farm.


    Sellake Bridge

    This Grade II listed structure is the second of four accommodation bridges across the canal. This bridge is built from brick with conglomerate stone coping; elliptical arch, moulded brick string course, round headed coping stones to parapet, with a course of blue bricks beneath. Brick piers. English bond.


  • Lowdwells to Appley Circular Walk

    Lowdwells to Appley Circular Walk

    This is another great circular walk that takes you eastwards from Lowdwells, along the dry Somerset section and brings you back via Appley to the Waytown Tunnel, a circuit of 5-6 miles. On the way you’ll pass the location of Greenham lift, just 400m from Lowdwells, which, at 42ft was the highest of Green’s lifts. Sadly, nothing remains but the top and bottom basins can be made out. Just past Cothay Manor you can detour briefly to check out the restored Jayes Cutting.

    Lowdwells circular walk route


    Details: 

    Start & Finish:

    Lowdwells Car Park, TA21 0JY (What3Words: ///flamingo.kebab.headless)

    Distance:

    5-6 miles (km)

    Facilities:

    Free parking is available at Lowdwells car park. Nearest toilets are at The Globe Inn, Appley; Beambridge Inn; M5 Junction 27 service station or back in either The Globe Inn, Sampford Peverell or at the Sampford Peverell Play Park.

    Refreshments:

    Refreshments can be found at The Globe Inn, Appley (please call them to check opening times); nearby on the A38 at the Beambridge Inn; or in Sampford Peverell at either The Globe Inn, Sampford Peverell or Spar shop or Little Turberfield Farm Shop.


    Route: 

    Please note: If you want to see the Grand Western Canal turn right and walk up the track. The Canal is on your left. Here you will see an interpretation panel telling you all about the beginnings of the Grand Western Canal, Lowdwells Lock and how the canal joined to the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal using incline planes and boat lifts.

    1. From the car park, on your left you will see a field gate with a public footpath sign (to the right of Lower Brinscott House). Go though this gate and walk through the field keeping to the right and following the embankment of the dry section of the canal.
    2. In the top right corner there is a metal gate with a yellow arrow on it. Go through and follow the uneven path beside Meadow Mere barn. Soon you will see an old stone bridge that would have once gone over the Canal.
    3. The footpath continues to the right of the bridge and through another gate. Unless it’s a particularly dry spell, you will need waterproof footwear / wellies for this part of the walk. It is muddy!!!
    4. Just beyond the far field boundary on your right you might see the site of the Greenham Lift. Look out for the masonry abutments of the cast iron aqueduct that once took the canal over the lane just to the right of the stile.
    5. Cross over the stile onto the Bishops Hill road and turn left. Walk along the road for a short distance before you see a set of stone steps on your right.
    6. Once over the stile at the top of the steps, continue along the old towpath next to the canal. Mind your head as there are some low tree branches.
    7. Walk over the V stile. Here you will see how the old canal has been chocked up with reeds, sedges and grasses. It no longer looks like a canal and more like a field. Walk straight keeping the hedge on your left towards another gate followed by a metal kissing  gate.
    8. Walk on through Elworthy Farm to the right of the cow shed. Then turn left and follow the track out of the farm.
    9. At the end of the track, join the road and turn left walking past a thick beech hedge. Continue past the tree lined entrance to Cothay Manor.
    10. Turn left at the Piley Lane T junction signed Kittisford / Langford Budville & Cothay.
    11. Follow the road around the edge of Cothay Manor, passing another entrance to the estate.
    12. Soon you will see a footpath to the left of a field that leads to a small bridge over the River Tone.
    13. After this is a small gate (please ensure Dogs are on leads as you enter this field as there may be livestock). Walk across the field keeping left towards a stile/field gate. Continue across the field past a large oak tree and on towards another metal gate at the top of the field.
    14. Keep to the right of the field close to the hedge. Go through another 2 small gates. Continue straight, keeping the hedge on you right. Go through another gate and join a muddy farm track, past some stables towards Appley.
    15. Go through the gate and on joining the road, turn left past The Globe Inn, Appley Here you may want to take a break and enjoy some refreshments in the pub however please call them to check opening times.
    16. The walk continues on past the novelty Red Phone box parish noticeboard.
    17. Walk on through the village of Appley following signs towards Greenham.
    18. At the post box on your right you should see a metal gate with a small gateway. Walk into the field keeping the hedge on your right. Halfway into the field you should see some houses diagonally on your left. Continue around the edge of the field aiming towards these houses.
    19. In the corner of the field cross over the stile (there are 2 stiles but use the one on the right as the other goes into someone’s garden). Continue down the hill next to the wooden fence and join the road at the bottom going into Tracebridge.
    20. Turn right and walk down the road through the leafy hamlet.
    21. Soon you will see Whipples Copse on the hill on your left.
    22. At the bottom of the hill is a bridge over the River Tone with a pretty waterfall feature. There is also a ‘Stall by the Bridge’ where locals can sell their produce.
    23. Turn left by the waterfall and walk up the steep road. Continue past Whipples Farm. Enjoy the view at the top of the hill.
    24. At the next two road junctions continue straight ahead. Passing Ramsey Farm / Linhay / The Threshing Barn. Walk down the hill towards Lowdwells Farm. Turn left and walk around the corner back to the car park at Lowdwells.

    Points of Interest:

    Cothay Manor – a small 14th century medieval manor.


    The Globe Inn, Appley
    The Globe InnHere you may want to take a break and enjoy some refreshments in the pub however please call them to check opening times – 01823 673147.


    Whipples Copse

     


  • As well as the circular walks described above, the towpath is part of several long-distance walks – the Two Counties Way.


    Dog Walking

    • Dogs are welcomed, but must be kept under control at all times.IMG_2418
    • Dogs must be kept out of adjacent farmland.
    • Dogs must be kept away from waterbirds, especially during the nesting season in the spring and early summer.
    • Dog mess bins are provided at access points throughout the length of the canal and dog owners must pick up and remove any mess their dog makes.

    Dog fouling is a serious issue in the Country Park. Not only is it a health hazard for children, unsightly, and disgusting to walk in, but it is significantly changing the fertility of the banks, leading to more nettles and less wildflowers.

    The Country Park is regularly patrolled by MDDC Dog Wardens who will issue £80 on the spot fines to any dog owner failing to remove their dog’s mess. The maximum fine is £1000.

    Visitors to the Country Park are encouraged to report any dog owners they witness failing to remove their dog’s mess – particularly regular offenders. Please telephone the Mid Devon District Council Dog wardens on 01884 255255 with a description of the dog/owner/vehicle, the time and the location.


    Did you know?

    There are regular bus routes that pass the canal. Details of timetables are available at Traveline South West.