Enjoy the Canal

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.

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 Hereford, Kymin East, Yarkhill, Monkhide, Dymock, Oxenhall, Newent, Malswick, Moat Farm, Vineyard Hill, Over Basin and Llanthony Lock on the banks of the Severn – see a map of the canal.

Some of our restored sites are open to the public every day – including Over Basin near Gloucester, Oxenhall Towpath, Dymock Pool and Aylestone Park in Hereford.

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, Discover Paddling and Sailing4Disabled.

We have produced a series of leaflets describing short walks at various locations on the canal.

See more below…

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.

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.

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.

Discover Paddling

Paddle boarding at Over.

After launching a paddle boarding scheme in Gloucester Docks, Discover Paddling approached the Trust, and an agreement for them to operate on the more protected water at Over Basin was quickly reached.

Discover Paddling is a family friendly paddlesport provider, offering kayaking and paddleboarding experiences to individuals, groups and families. They have a couple of group paddle boards that can fit up to a family of 4, along with double kayaks, perfect for young families to discover the waterway.

All groups are led by a qualified instructor and offer games, challenges and skills to increase confidence on the water and enjoy the paddling experience away from mobile phones and tablets.

Mike and his wife Grace started Discover Paddling in 2016 along side their day jobs. They have recently moved to Cheltenham from Bristol. Grace works in the Centre of Cheltenham as an audiologist and Mike works from home.
From the age of 5 Mike discovered his love of adventure and paddling. After years of committed training, he was selected to proudly represent Great Britain for 5 consecutive years. Following a BSc in Sports Science and winning Sportsman of the year at Loughborough University, Mike became a Canoeing Development Officer for British Canoeing to promote paddlesport in the South West.

Grace discovered kayaking in 2012 at Bristol University. Suffering from a ruptured cruciate ligament, paddlesport became her new passion replacing her previous hobbies; skydiving and netball. Grace has since enjoyed paddling all over Europe and loves nothing more than giving everyone the best paddling experience.

They are looking forward to sharing the beautiful waterway at Over with family groups on Saturdays only.

Feel free to check out their website at www.discoverpaddling.co.uk

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.

Gloucester & District Model Boat Club

We meet at a number of sailing venues including Gloucester Docks, Over canal basin at the Gloucester end of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire canal and Saul Junction at the junction of the Gloucester-Sharpness canal and the Stroud Water 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 our 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…

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.

This book tells how much has changed in the last 35 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 Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust.

In this richly illustrated book a former Chairman of the Trust 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 Dick Skeet 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 Price £10 + £2 P&P.

October 2022 Update

Rescued from Obscurity is now out of print.

An updated version is currently being compiled for printing and should be available in Spring 2023.

We apologise for any inconvenience – you may express interest in the updated version by sending us an email.

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.

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