The stretch of canal that falls into the West Wilts Branch area of interest is from The Barge Inn at Seend in the east to the Dundas Aqueduct in the west. After Seend, the canal meanders through farmland, past Hilperton before entering the delightful town of Bradford on Avon. To the west of Bradford is arguably the prettiest stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal; after crossing the Avoncliff Aqueduct, the canal enters the Limpley Stoke Valley, clinging to the steep hillside above the River Avon, before emerging into the Bath Valley at Dundas Aqueduct.

The West Wilts Branch is located at the Wharf Cottage, adjacent to the Kennet & Avon Canal Lock, Bradford on Avon. The Branch is very active with volunteers directly involved in both the Trust’s wharf-side shop/tearoom and the 65 ft wide-beam trip boat MV Barbara McLellan. The Cottage Tearoom/Shop has a terraced garden overlooking the hustle and bustle of canal activity and is a very pleasant haven in which to relax and enjoy some refreshments. It is run by volunteers and sells tea, coffee, cold drinks and a range of snacks and ice cream. The shop has an extensive range of canal goods, gifts, books, and postcards; it is also where you purchase tickets for the Public Trips on Barbara McLellan. There is a car park nearby (Baileys Barn, off Moulton Drive) with a path (suitable for wheelchair) leading directly from the car park to the terraced garden.

Volunteers in the shop and on the boat find the work extremely rewarding and they enjoy meeting visitors to the canal. They strive to provide an excellent service to our customers. If you would like to get involved in a new and worthwhile activity, please contact any member of the Committee. Better still, why not come along for a ‘taster’ trip on the boat, or spend some time helping in the shop. If you like what you see, do join us.