Gloucester to Sharpness Canal Walk, Gloucestershire

The Gloucester to Sharpness Canal is a fantastic walk and off-road cycling route through some amazing Gloucestershire countryside. Hikers can walk from either end of the canal or choose a shorter section.

Gloucester to Sharpness Canal

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal used to be the widest and deepest in the world. As a result, the waterway is a unique place to navigate on foot or by boat. It is approximately 16.5 miles long, with many swing bridges and a lock in Gloucester Docks.

The swing bridges, combined with the bridge keepers’ houses, add to the charm of the walk. They built this canal to let boats bypass the treacherous stretch of the River Severn downstream of Gloucester.

The canal offers many splendid views along its towpaths, including the Historic Docks in Gloucester, river views, and panoramic views of the Cotswold Hills. The Canal & River Trust manages the towpaths and waterways.

Getting to Sharpness

Getting a lift and walking back is the easiest option; otherwise, you need to navigate the rural bus routes. Depending on the time of day, it depends on which bus route you take. These are long journeys either way, with additional walking from Berkeley to Sharpness Docks. The safest bet is to consult Google Maps the day before.

Alternatively, it is easier to start somewhere with more regular buses, like Frampton on Severn. Then walk from there. However, if you start in Frampton, you may want to double back to the Boat Graveyard.

Walking Maps

Significant Spots on the walk

These are key highlights of the canal walk. The rest of the walk is pure countryside with superb views and a chance to see local wildlife if you’re lucky, especially near WWT Slimbridge.

Sharpness Docks: The Start of the Walk

This is where the canal meets the Bristol Channel/River Severn. It is a fully working dock with dockyards and pubs for a dose of B vitamins. Sharpness is well worth a look around, specifically in the docks and the banks of the River Severn. There is also a big lock that ships get from the river onto the canal here. This is rather impressive. A 360-degree aerial shot is on Google Maps here.

The Boat Graveyard at Purton

Purton is a small village very close to the River Severn and has some interesting sites nearby. The two low canal bridges, for starters, and the pretty Church of St John the Evangelist. They built this church in 1874 with its unique design.

Purton is also home to the remnants of the Severn railway crossing. You can see some ruins from the towpath. Finally, the village is home to the Purton Barge Graveyard. They used it as a graveyard for old boats to prevent bank erosion. The graveyard first started in 1909. This is a great place to wander and take photographs.

Views over WWT Slimbridge

The canal passes WWT Slimbridge, a fantastic attraction. Slimbridge is the home of many species of wildfowl and migratory birds. It’s also a conservation centre with a variety of species that call it home. The countryside in the area is quiet farmland and very nice to see. When you reach Patch Bridge in Slimbridge, there is a pub called the Tudor Arms, a nice place for a cider or lunch out.

Frampton on Severn Church

The church at Frampton on Severn is visible from the towpath; however, you can cross a bridge nearby to have a mooch around. This church dates back to the 12th century; it was consecrated in 1315. The area surrounding the church is beautiful. On the walk from the church to the bridge in the village, the views of the Severn estuary are fantastic.

Frampton on Severn Village Green

They say the village green in Frampton on Severn is the longest in the county. Popping into the village is a worthwhile detour off the route. There are some very nice village pubs, larks on the green and old houses. Also, Frampton Court is a stunning backdrop just off the green.

Saul Junction

Saul Junction is, as the name suggests, a canal junction that connects to the Stroudwater Navigation. It’s also a great walk through stunning countryside to Stonehouse.

Saul Junction is a picturesque place with many colourful narrowboats moored. The Stables Cafe is also a great place for lunch or a hot drink.

The Pilot Inn, Hardwicke

The only pub visible from the canal towpath is the Pilot Inn, making it an ideal spot to rest your legs. They serve a selection of beers and ciders and have a decent chef creating nice food. They have indoor seating and a very popular beer garden overlooking the water. Being a country pub, they welcome dogs in the bar and garden.

Gloucester Docks

Gloucester Docks is where the canal meets the River Severn again. Boats can access via the lock. The docks are made up of historic Victorian warehouses and are an interesting place to explore. There are plenty of places to eat out or grab a post-hike pint. If you are hiking with a dog, there are also dog-friendly pubs in the docks.

After you finish, you can see the stunning cathedral, with over 1000 years of history. The docks have a few museums. The most relevant to the route is the British Waterways Museum.

Camping en route on the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal

Some may fancy turning this into a camping and hiking break to enjoy the route at a more leisurely pace. There are a few options for camping near the towpath, with the main one being Tudor Caravan Park, which has tent pitches near Patch Bridge in Slimbridge. They are a dog-friendly campsite with amenities. They have fast Wi-Fi and a shower block, among other facilities.

Shorter Version

To make the walk less challenging, hiking from Sharpness to Hardwicke is a viable option. The village has a very regular bus service to Gloucester Docks. This cuts out the least attractive part of the walk and saves nearly 5 miles.