Great Bedwyn and Wilton Windmill

Richard Clayton

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This is an easy, attractive and interesting canal and woodland walk, with lots to interest both adults and children - and there are no stiles! The first part of the walk is a gentle stroll west from the village of Great Bedwyn alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal. As you walk past five locks and the canal descends from its summit, hopefully you can experience 'gongoozling'!

You pass the Crofton Pumping Station with its two Cornish Beam Engines, one the oldest in the world; if you make this a day trip you could visit this interesting working museum. Your route leaves the canal at this point and passes alongside Wilton Water on its way to the village of Wilton. The Swan Inn might tempt you to take a break here. You then climb out of the village up to Wilton Windmill, which is worth a visit. The return journey takes you through the quiet woodland called Bedwyn Brail to Great Bedwyn.

Finally you cross the canal and railway line and enter Great Bedwyn past the church. This is a lovely village. There is a post office/stores which sells snacks, and a pub, the Three Tuns. See Additional Info.

England - South England - Wiltshire - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Wildlife
7/30/2020 - Melanie MacLeod

Lovely walk. A couple of signposts missing (10) or added (14 now a bridleway signpost) but generally easy to follow.

6/22/2020 - Mark Hylton

Definitely a 5-star walk for families - with lots of interest and very easy route finding. We walked this route on 21st June 2020 and luckily the Swan Pub in Wilton was open for takeaway only (including ice creams!), which was a nice surprise. Wilton Windmill site is also on free access and is a nice picnic site. No charge for parking at Great Bedwyn Wharf or at the train station (although the signs at the station car park state that the free spaces are for rail users only).

2/7/2017 - Nigel Williamson

A very pleasant walk with good directions. What was the British Waterways car park is currently free parking and The Three Tuns is now the only pub in Great Bedwyn.