Offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, the Grand Western Canal runs for 11 miles between Tiverton and Holcombe Rogus, near the Somerset border. A wealth of wildlife has colonised the canal as it has matured. In the spring and summer, the water's edge is alive with wildflowers such as yellow loosestrife and meadowsweet, with the impressive white water-lily gracing the main channel. Many birds use the site. Moorhens and mute swans are frequent, and kingfishers are a regular sight. In addition, many butterflies and dragonflies can be seen along the canal, including the large emperor dragonfly and the scarce chaser. Otters are active within the park.
Grand Western Canal at Tiverton
The Grand Western Canal was
built in 1814, primarily the lime trade. Horse-Drawn
tub-boats worked for over 130 years conveying
stone from the quarries at Lowdwells to
Tiverton Wharf, where the stone was fired
into lime for farming and house building.
In 1838 the canal was extended from
Lowdwells to Taunton; this section had seven tub-boat lifts and an
incline plane. It closed in 1869, leaving the 11 mile stretch you see
today
Drifting peacefully
through the lovely Devon
landscape, with spectacular
views across to the Blackdown
Hills and passing picturesque
waterside cottages and other
buildings many villages of
interest, the canal today
combines a mixture of quiet
scenic recreation with historical
and wildlife value. Today the Grand Western Canal
is a Country Park and Local Nature Reserve owned by Devon County
Council with free access all year; the Canal is ideal for walking,
cycling, Picnics, fishing. The canal is also a haven for an abundance
of flora and wildlife.
The Grand Western Canal
The whole canal can be explored at leisure from either the water or the towpath which runs the entire length to Lowdswell. You can still see the original Milestones on the path.
- PEDESTRIAN ACCESS can be gained at all public road bridges.
- Personal boats can be used but are subject to acquiring a licence Powered craft are not permitted
- fishing is organised through the TIVERTON ANGLING SOCIETY. Permits must be obtained and can be bought from local tackle dealers, the Ranger or the Horseboat Company (when open)
- REFRESHMENTS can be bought during the Season from the TEA GARDEN or from the TEA BARGE
In more detail
The Grand Western Canal originated as a dream to link the Bristol and English Channels. Begun in 1810 it was never ever completed, the Canal only ever linked Tiverton with Taunton. It was rapidly superseded by the railways and the section north-east from Lowdwells was closed by 1869. No longer a working canal, the present length of 11.34 miles (18.25km) is now managed as a Country Park by Devon County Council for recreation, education and conservation.
A major impetus for the building of the Grand Western Canal was the need for lime. Thousands of tons were burnt annually to supply surrounding farmers who came from as far as 30 miles (a long way with horse and cart) With the Canal open to Taunton, coal could be transported without having to arrive via the south coast where duty (tax) had to be paid.
The Canal was used extensively for carrying limestone from quarries around Westleigh to Tiverton where it was processed in limekilns at the Canal Basin It is largely due to the transport of limestone that continuedd until 1925 that the canal remains exits today
Stone from quarries at Westleigh, Fenacre and
Whipcott was conveyed by tramways to the canal. At
Whipcott it was then
delivered to the waterside
by means 'of a chute.
Fenacre and
Whipcott 0uarries are still used today for the extraction of limestone which is mainly used for road aggregate
Limekilns were first built at the Canal
Basin in 1829. They were fed directly
from barges on the Canal and were in use until at least 1895. The limekilns were filled in early this Century by a William Punchard using material
excavated when houses were built on Canal Hill.
When in use the limekilns were a social
gathering-place where boys would warm themselves
and roast potatoes in the fire, people gathered to gossip, women dryed clothes on the warm stones and beggars often slept by them. Some unfortunate
beggars dying from bum's or asphyxiation. Queues would form as farmers arrived for their loads and the roads would be heavy with traffic.
It was found that burnt lime spread on soil
helped neutralise acidity, a problem on the culm measures of Devon, and improve drainage.
Limekilns had a central brick lined bole surrounded by rubble with a grate towards the bottom to hold the unburned layers of coal and lime. To start a burn, furze (gorse) and ' brushwood, would be placed beneath the grill in the hearth, reached from the outside by an iron door. Once the coal and limestone was burning additional layers would be added at the top and the lime raked off from the hearth.
Archways in the base allowed access to the doors and 'eyes' (holes through which long poles could be used to loosen the contents of the chamber) and lean-to roots provided dry cover for the drawing oft of the burnt lime.
Grand Western Canal Cycle Way
This is a lovely peaceful cycle route, often along the towpath, beside this tranquil stretch of waterway through the heart of Devon between Tiverton and the Somerset border. The Grand Western Canal forms part of the West Country Way Cycle Route (NCN3) which runs from Padstow in Cornwall to Bristol.
This is a flat, easy, mainly off-road section of NCN3, and ideal for families with children. There are open views of superb landscape on the way, varying between sheltered woodland and sweeping views of the Blackdown Hills. The Devon section of the Canal was completed in 1814, and rather than using locks, the engineer, John Rennie, felt it was more efficient commercially to follow contours and construct embankments and cuttings to make it as flat as possible. This makes it ideal cycling territory. The Canal was closed as a commercial waterway in 1925, as the railways took over transport. Restored as a Country Park in 1971, it is now enjoyed by walkers, anglers, cyclists and passengers on boats and a horse-drawn barge run by the Grand Western Horseboat Company. There are picnic areas and pubs along the way.
The Route
The directions describe a circular route following the Canal towpath from Tiverton Parkway station, near Sampford Peverell to Tiverton and then NCN3 on and off the towpath back to Tiverton Parkway. The route can be amended to start in Tiverton or Willand rather than Tiverton Parkway.
From Tiverton Parkway Station, leave the station along the access road. At the main road turn right and after 30 metres turn left along a track that leads to the Link Road Bridge and a boat-launching slipway. Turn left and follow the towpath through Sampford Peverell, taking particular care to give way to pedestrians in this pretty village. The stretch of Canal from Sampford Peverell to Halberton has excellent views across to the Blackdown Hills, and during late spring and summer is home to important populations of Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. Just before Rock Bridge is Rock House, built at the same time as the Canal for Captain John Twisden - the engineer who succeeded James Green in extending the Canal to Taunton. The name 'Rock' relates to the fact that the bedrock is very close to the surface at this point, and it was a remarkable achievement for a cutting to be chiselled out by hand by the navvies. Equally impressive is the beautiful oak tree on the offside of the Canal near Rock House that has grown to a tremendous size with its roots sprawling over the bedrock.
After passing over Swing embankment with its wonderful views, you pass under Swing Bridge. This is an 'accommodation bridge' built to link up land that was split by the construction of the Canal. Further on through a large cutting is Greenway Bridge. A little way up the hill along the road that passes over the bridge is a car park and Abbotshood Cycle Hire.
For the next mile, the Canal sweeps out on a large loop called the 'Swan's Neck' which keeps the Canal on a level contour above Halberton. Beside Milestone 3 are Tiverton Road Car Park and the Dudley Weatherley Jubilee Bridge. This lift bridge was built in 2002, 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 1960s and early 1970s. Sadly Dudley died in 2004, but this elegant lift bridge will help to keep his memory alive for generations to come.
At Crownhill Bridge (also known as Changepath) the towpath crosses the bridge and continues on the opposite side. The towpath crosses over an Aqueduct that was built in 1847 as part of the construction of the Bristol and Exeter Railway branch from Tiverton Parkway to Tiverton. Two arches were built to allow for future expansion, but only one line was ever used and this closed in 1967. The section from East Manley Bridge to the Basin in Tiverton is where the horse drawn passenger barge operates twice daily from Easter until the end of October (Tel. 01884 253345), and so extra care is needed. It is particularly important to dismount and walk under bridges and to dismount and wait for the horse to pass, should you meet it.
For the last mile of the Canal, the route passes through a residential area before arriving in the Tiverton Basin where you will find the Tea Gardens, a visitor centre a floating shop and cafe and public toilets. When busy in the basin it is advisable to dismount and walk.
From the Basin the route follows Canal Hill down to a mini roundabout and then right, to Great Western Way. The return route along NCN3 bears right along to Blundell's roundabout where the cycle path cuts across the adjacent green and follows the disused railway line. However, if you turn left onto Great Western Way and then right onto Station Lane, this will lead you into Tiverton town centre where you will find a large array of shops, services and parking. A little way along the pedestrianised Fore Street is Phoenix Lane, at the bottom of which you will find the Tourist Information Centre.
Switching back to the return route along the disused railway line, this eventually ends at Manley Lane. Turn right along the road until you reach Manley Bridge, where you turn left onto the towpath. At Crownhill Bridge follow the road to the right, NCN 3 signs will lead you through the pretty village of Halberton.
The route rejoins the Canal at Battens Bridge, before leaving the towpath again at Chains Road on the edge of Sampford
Peverell. Follow the road through the village until you reach the turn off for Tiverton Parkway on the right. An extension to the route from Tiverton Parkway to Willand follows a purpose-built cycle path which crosses the M5 and terminates at The Halfway House PH. Another possible extension or alternative route from the Link Road Bridge at Sampford Peverell would be a 10 mile return trip out along the towpath to the northern end of the Canal at Lowdswells Lock, near Holcombe Rogus, and back. This is a quiet, scenic route passing a number of fascinating historic structures including a 14th Century Chapel, and wharves and limekilns dating back to when the Canal was built.
Tiverton is served by regular buses from Exeter as well as services from North Devon. Furthermore, for those wishing to arrive by train, Tiverton Parkway is a main stop on the Exeter - London Paddington railway line. For timetable details call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit Traveline at www.traveline.org.uk. Route Length: Tiverton Parkway to Tiverton town centre is 14.5 miles. Tiverton parkway to Willand is 3 miles (one-way), mostly traffic free. From the centre of Tiverton it is a short distance further on this route (NCN3) to Knightshayes Court (National Trust - reduced entry for those arriving by bicycle) and Tiverton Castle. It is a flat, east, mainly off-road route, and ideal for families with children.
Facilities:
Car parking and refreshments are available in Willand, Tiverton Parkway station, Sampford Peverell, Halberton and Tiverton.
Cycle hire is available at Abbotshood
Cycle Hire beside Greenway Bridge in
Halberton (Tel. 01884 820728) and the
owner is happy to deliver or collect cycles to any point
along the Canal with prior notice.
OS maps:
Explorer (1:25,000) No. 114 Exeter and the Exe Valley;
No. 128 Taunton, Blackdown Hills.
Landranger (1:50,000) No. 181 Minehead and the
Brendon Hills; No. 192 Exeter, Sidmouth.
Other Maps:
'West Country Way' -published by Sustrans (available from
Devon County Council price £3.99)
Horse drawn barge trips
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