Visiting for the first time?
The Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust is restoring the Canal for the whole community to share. Even though the restoration has a long way to go before it is complete, there are places along the original line of the Canal where visitors can enjoy its beauty and facilities.
Restoration work on the canal has been in progress over many years, firstly through the efforts of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Society, and then later by the current Trust.
From Hereford to Gloucester, work has taken place, or is currently in progress, at Aylestone Park in Hereford, Kymin East, Yarkhill, Monkhide, Dymock, Oxenhall, Newent, Malswick, Moat Farm, Vineyard Hill, Over Basin and Llanthony Lock on the banks of the Severn.
Some of our restored sites are open to the public every day – including Over Basin near Gloucester, Oxenhall Towpath, Yarkhill and Kymin Towpath, and Aylestone Park in Hereford.
We have produced a series of leaflets describing short walks at various locations on the canal.
The Canal offers a great habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna – see our Nature Watch page, and offers opportunities to many visitors who want to use this pleasant environment for their varied pursuits.
At Over Basin there are a number of groups who regularly use the basin for their activities like Gloucester Model Boat Club and Sailing4Disabled.
See more below…
When completed, H&G Canal will rank as one of the most attractive cruising routes in the country.
But the Canal is not just being restored for boaters, as most visitors to canals are not boaters, but people who come on foot, just to enjoy towpath activities and be near a beautiful and peaceful waterway.
- Passing through unspoiled countryside, the H&G Canal and associated canal-side developments encourage visitors to the area, as well as supporting the local community and economy.
- The canal provides a natural habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife and flora for all to enjoy.
- Historians can step back in time to when the canal was a commercial route.
- Engineers, architects and those interested in the industrial archeology of the canal study the design of both the canal remains and the newly restored structures.
- Cyclists, anglers and walkers all come to enjoy the Canal.
- Visitors can enjoy a meal or snack at one of our waterside establishments.
- The canal will become an excellent waterway for all types of craft to travel between two historic cities.
Find out more…
Rescued from Obscurity – the continuing story of the Hereford & Gloucester Canal.
David Bick, writing in 1979, described the Hereford and Gloucester Canal as being more ‘lost in obscurity’ than any other major navigation in England.
However, this book tells how much has changed in the last 45 years. This waterway, running through some of the most beautiful countryside in England is now the subject of one of the leading canal restoration projects in Britain spear-headed by the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust.
Former Chairman of the Trust Richard Skeet tells the story of the building and operation of the canal, not as a textbook of industrial archaeology but as a narrative drawing on the words of those involved with the Navigation Company itself or watching from the side-lines.
In the second half of the book he describes how the Hereford and Gloucester Canal Society and later the Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust has set about the enormous task of restoring the 34 miles of this historic canal, reconnecting two ancient Cathedral Cities. 200 page paperback, over 200 illustrations and photographs.
As the first edition was going out of print in October 2023, an updated version was compiled and the new book is now available at a cost of just £12.00 plus £3.00 P&P (UK only). Copies can be ordered from our online shop page.
Canal Walks
A series of walks leaflets, now increased in number to eight, are available covering parts of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal through the two counties.
The series is proving very popular with both local people and visitors to the area. Each walk is illustrated with photos of points of interest and a clear map of the route.
A set of all the leaflets can be purchased online via our PayPal portal for £6.00.
This process allows payment by PayPal or by debit/credit card – a PayPal account is not necessary – see our Shop Page for more details.
Our volunteers aim to respond within 72 hours – please note leaflets will be sent out by second class post.
There are a number of places where the restoration work can be viewed by the public at places like Aylestone Park, Yarkhill, Dymock, Oxenhall, Newent, Over Basin, Vineyard Hill and Llanthony Lock.
It should not be assumed that Public Rights of Way exist on all of our sites.
We work in co-operation of land owners and their neighbours – please help us to maintain good relations with them.
Food and Drink on the Canal
The Lock Keepers is an independent waterside restaurant, home to relaxed fine dining on the outskirts of Gloucester, serving fine British cuisine with a contemporary twist. Our classic restaurant boasts a relaxed ambience, friendly staff and a regularly-changing seasonal menu; whilst our rooms at The Mooring Post, provide a quiet and comfortable retreat overlooking the River Severn. All rooms are equipped with TV’s, WiFi and private en-suite facilities.
Inspired by the flavours of the best local produce that they can lay their hands on; our chefs create comforting, traditional British food with a contemporary twist. Our menus include everything from beautifully seared steaks and sumptuous sarnies; to light bites, lunches, brunches, burgers and deliciously decadent puddings.
The Mooring Post includes six individual bedrooms, each with wonderful views of the River Severn and restored Canal Basin, including a full range of facilities using reserved for luxury hotels.
More details on the web site and social media.
Horseshoe Drive, Over, Gloucester, GL2 8DB
What3Words – \\\Flame/dwarf/gates
Email:
eat@thelockkeepers.co.uk
sleep@themooringpost.co.uk
Telephone:
01452 332900
The Malswick House is an independently run pub and restaurant located alongside the former Hereford and Gloucester Canal (currently being restored) just east of Newent.
The pub serves a range of traditional English grub and is open daily.
The building is owned and was restored by the Trust, and now provides a predictable income stream to help fund canal restoration.
Social media
Facebook
Location
B4215 east of Newent GL18 1HE
WhatThreeWords – “///turns.frosted.unspoiled”
Email:
info@charlottecafe.co.uk.co.uk
Telephone:
07510 363380
Disabled Access
Wheelchair users have a number of places where it is possible to visit aspects of the H&GCT restoration.
- Aylestone Park in Hereford, has a short section of the H&G Canal along its lower edge as well as a number of other accessible paths around the park.
- Wheelchair visitors to Oxenhall can view the restored lock and cottage along the track from Winters Lane, just below the Church.
- Over Basin is a very good location for wheelchairs with a wide hard towpath along one side of the basin and extending to the end of Vineyard Hill.
- The Lock Keepers (formerly The Wharf House) at Over Basin has good wheelchair access.
Cycling
As there are only short lengths of Canal restored at present it not possible to cycle from city to city on a towpath, but it is possible to visit sections by bicycle.
Aylestone Park in Hereford has a short section of the H&G Canal along its lower edge as well as a number of other accessible cycle paths around the park.
National Cycle Network routes 42 and 45 can be used to reach Over Basin and three picturesque routes by foot or bicycle take visitors to Over Basin and The Wharf House from Highnam, Maisemore & Gloucester Docks. Over Basin has a wide hard towpath along one side of the basin and extending half a mile to the end of Vineyard Hill.
The Newent Loop is a 28 mile leisure cycling route that takes in aspects of the H&G Canal at Newent and Oxenhall.
More opportunities for cycling along the canal will arise as restoration progresses.
As detailed above, a selection of leaflets detailing suggested walks on along the canal are available from H&GCT. See our Shop Page for more details.
Activities on the Water at Over Basin
Activities on the water at Over Basin – Summer Boat Trips
Want to do something different? Need some fresh air? Like to enjoy some time on the water? Learn something new and entertain the kids for a while?
Come to Over Basin and see how the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust are restoring the former Hereford and Gloucester Canal and take a twenty-five minute trip along a re-created section of canal.
You will be able to see our restored heritage narrow boats, other craft, wildlife, historic sites and our next stage of restoration on towards Hereford. On site is Over Lock which was used to link the canal basin to the River Severn close by.
Canal trips at Over Basin operate on our very own crewed trip boat Mister Maysey and our partner organisation Sailing4Disabled’s wheelyboat Sir Charles Morrison which can, as you might expect, accommodates wheelchairs.
Whilst the trips operate, we will be serving refreshments next to the water, or you could have lunch in The Lock Keepers, the award-winning bar and restaurant overlooking the river Severn, or perhaps explore one of several walks along the canal and the river in the surrounding area which are detailed in a range of leaflets produced by the Trust – see above.
The 2024 programme of Summer Boat Trips at Over Basin has now concluded.
Please watch this space for announcements about other opportunities to see the restored Hereford and Gloucester Canal by boat.
Activities on the water at Over Basin – Sailing4Disabled
Sailing4Disabled meets every Tuesday at Over Canal Basin from 11.00 to 14.00. It is open to everyone – whether they have a disability or not.
The groups run a number of craft on the Over Basin including Kata-canoes and a wheelchair-friendly Wheelieboat.
Full assistance is provided to all to enjoy the water experience including lifejackets.
If you are interested in joining them Pete (Long John Silver) Bisson and his experienced team will be pleased to welcome you aboard.
Contact them on 07913 015018 or email peterwb49@hotmail.com.
Activities on the water at Over Basin – Gloucester & District Model Boat Club
Gloucester & District Model Boat Club – The Home of Model Boating and Yachting in the Gloucester area.
Established for over 30 years and with over 120 members; as an umbrella group, we accommodate all aspects of the hobby / past time, from scratch building, kit building, refurbishment, exhibiting at local shows, using all types of water based models regardless of shape, size or colour. (Unfortunately we can not accommodate IC powered models at our locations).
There are many years of experience within the Club’s membership so you should find a helping hand when you need assistance (what material, what size, what set up or tuning). Being part of a group, whether new to the hobby or an experienced modeller, there is always something going on to get involved with; and access to a variety of water to use your model, from ½ mile of land locked canal, to open water or sheltered arm at Gloucester Docks, or a private lake. Whether “social” sailing or “Competitive” sailing is your thing, you should find something to suit your needs.
All access is with land owners / managers agreement, and covered with 3rd party liability insurance should things go wrong.
We also have a bi-monthly Newsletter, with some interesting articles from the members supplemented with update emails should something interesting be going on inbetween issues of the newsletter.
The club arranges to exhibit at local shows or to take part in gatherings at other nearby club’s events (Naval days, Lifeboat days, Yacht racing days, etc). If you’re lucky, there may be a “fun” day or two to meet the members and try your skills with a “Steering” competition or a yacht “sailing” Challenge.
With many of our activities taking place outdoors with nearby parking facilities, what better way is there to relax and refresh from a hectic lifestyle, or make new friends with like minded people.
We don’t need any more reminders that our health and wellbeing is very important to us all. So outside interests are more important than ever before.
Why not pay us a visit and explore what could be possible?
The Gloucester and District Model Boat Club (GDMBC) has been using the Over Canal Basin for about 20 years now, on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday afternoon
– see Over Basin Events Diary Page for more details.
They generally meet around 1:30pm and depart about 4:30pm (unless it is a really nice summer,s day and they could still be there until 6:30pm).
- Wednesday afternoon is mainly a “Motor boat” session, with various model styles and sizes, powered by batteries (occasionally by live steam), if the vehicles are there but no boats, they will probably be travelling to the “winding hole” back back.
- Friday afternoon is mainly small “Sailing yachts”, chasing themselves around the basin, purely powered by the wind.
The 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, the skippers will be competing in a heat of the Summer or Winter series of Club races using “Micro Magic” kit built yachts. - Sunday afternoon is a “Social” gathering of GDMBC members, with both “Motor boats” and “Sailing Yachts” taking to the water.
We also meet at a number of sailing venues including Gloucester Docks, and Saul Junction at the junction of the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and the Stroudwater Canal. Further information on these sites can be found by clicking on the Sailing Venues tab. You are always welcome to visit us at Over on Wednesdays, Fridays (sailing racing) or Sundays after lunch and talk to members.
See the club website for more information
Historians
The Hereford to Gloucester Canal is steeped in history of our industrial past. Although much of the canal has been filled in and in places has disappeared without trace, a surprising number of lock cottages, wharf buildings and bridges remain to be seen.
Click on this link to see A Brief History of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal…
Angling
As much of the line of the Hereford & Gloucester Canal is yet to be bought into water, fishing permits are confined to Over Basin.
A permit is available to a limited number of anglers at this location.
Fishing is not permitted at H&GCT sites without a permit.
August 2024 – membership of the fishing syndicate at Over Basin is full and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
More on Enjoying the Canal
Canal Walk Leaflets Updated
Over the past twelve months the six existing Canal Walk leaflets have been updated, and can now be purchased online. […]
Water based activities at Over Basin
With lots of activities occurring at our Over Basin location we have allocated days to different organisations as follows; Sailing4Disabled […]
Over Basin Walk & Cycle Leaflet
The H&G CT Canal Walk leaflets are proving very popular with members and each includes part of the route of our Canal. […]
Hereford and Gloucester Canal Walks
Hereford and Gloucester Canal Walks A series of walks leaflets are available covering parts of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal […]
