Thames and Severn Canal Path, Sapperton

Thereโ€™s nothing I love more than a long walk in the countryside; I find it’s a great way for me to clear my mind while getting some excercise. I’ve already been on a hike this year and for plenty of walks around Arboretums and gardens, which is something I hope to do more of as the weather gets warmer.

Thankfully Aaron shares my love of nature walks, so last weekend we decided to walk part of the Thames and Severn Canal Path, near Sapperton, which is a route I have walked countless times before. We used to go blackberry picking along the canal path when we were children and I enjoy seeing how things have changed walking around the area as an adult.

Overgrown branches covering part of a lock.

Admittedly it’s been a few years since my last walk there so I was looking forward to it, especially considering Aaron has never been along the canal path, and the added bonus of being able to spend some time with my mum too; who we invited to come along for the walk with us.

We quickly found that all of the ‘kissing gates’ have been removed in favour of more accessible designs. I imagine this was to help those with pushchairs and dog walkers, which is great, but I’ll miss the fun ascept of the ‘kissing gates’.

Walking the canal path.

The Thames and Severn canal can be found in Gloucestershire, in the south of England and was conceived as part of a canal route from Bristol to London. It connects to the River Thames at Inglesham Lock near Lechlade and to the River Severn at Wallbridge near Stroud. Now personally I’ve only seen a small part of the canal path but it’s a part that’s full of history and wildlife.

Frampton Mansell Viaduct

The path we walked starts at The Viaduct in Frampton Mansell and goes along to the Sapperton Tunnel through Siccaridge Wood. The Sapperton tunnel was the longest canal tunnel in Britain, when it was built and remains one of the longest today. I always enjoy these walks with my mum as she is very knowledgeable about this section of the canal.

She was telling us stories of when the Sappeton tunnel collapsed and how it became blocked by fallen rocks. How the locks were used, where they used to swim as children and even a story about a canal battle, although I’m not sure of the authenticity on the last one! ๐Ÿ˜…

Siccarige Wood Nature Reserve

The area along the canal path is home to a range of wildlife and fauna, and one of the central sections (Siccarige Wood) is a nature reserve, maintained by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Footbridge over the lock towards Siccarige Wood.

The wood itself includes ash, silver birch and beech trees, with bluebells covering the woodland floor during the Spring months. But honestly, it’s colourful at any time of year, and if you look closely at the banks you can catch a glimpse of springs running down them. Which sounds so tranquil – there is very little noise in the area besides the occasional train.

One of the springs flowing down the bank.

The reserve is home to butterflies, birds, wood ants and the occasional adder; as well as supporting the dormouse population under the National Dormouse Monitoring Scheme.

Sadly we didn’t get to see any wildlife this time (unless you count Pokemon lol) but did hear the birds chirping away.

The Daneway Inn

Our walk to the Sapperton tunnel took us roughly an hour and we stopped off at the Daneway Inn along our way. The Daneway is a lovely country pub, just past the Daneway locks and just before the Sapperton tunnel entrance. We each had a drink and shared some delicious chunky chips before heading back towards Frampton Mansell.

Fun fact: There are three(!) pubs you could visit on this walk… and about four Pokemon Go stops. ๐Ÿ˜‰

The canal path itself is reasonably easy to walk but can get very muddy so bring appropriate footwear. Also, please be careful if you’re walking with children or dogs. Some of the disused locks are in poor condition and there are sheer drops in places along the route!

One of the disused locks.


Do you enjoy walks in the countryside? What are some of your favourite places? Let me know in the comments. ๐Ÿ˜Š

29 Comments

  • What Being without a Computer Has Taught Me – Chimmyville

    June 28, 2020 at 21:46

    […] without a computer has meant I’ve been doing other things such as reading and going out for a walk. So there is a positive to being computer-less! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Having a break from a screen once in a while […]

  • Ashley

    April 9, 2019 at 13:06

    Such a beautiful place and beautiful photographs! There is nothing better than a walk in the country! xxx

    1. Kim

      April 9, 2019 at 17:37

      Thanks lovely. Nature walks in the countryside are one of my favourite things to do. Glad you liked the photos. ๐Ÿ˜Š xxx

  • Mashibaby

    February 26, 2019 at 18:24

    These are so such beautiful photos!!

    1. Kim

      February 26, 2019 at 19:37

      Thank you! ๐Ÿ’—

  • Laura

    February 26, 2019 at 14:48

    This looks like such a calming and rejuvenating walk. I hope the snow and ice melts soon where I live in, so I can start going on long walks/runs again myself ๐Ÿ™‚

    Xoxo,
    Laura // afinnontheloose.com

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:34

      Thanks for your comment Laura. ๐Ÿ™‚ We got very lucky with the weather, it’s been cold, windy and rain since. I hope it warms up again soon.

  • Bexa

    February 25, 2019 at 19:30

    I love walking in nature, it is really therapeutic! It sounds like this is a lovely walk and it looks so peaceful and tranquil from the photos. I love the sound of the birds chirping away, it sounds perfect for clearing your mind. Ooh yum, chunky chips sound like a good idea, especially after all the exercise, definitely well deserved! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for sharing your adventures Kim, really enjoyed reading all about it and seeing your beautiful pictures! <3 xx

    Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:33

      Thanks for your comment Bexa. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m hoping to do more walks like this as the weather gets warmer.

  • Lisa McLachlan

    February 25, 2019 at 18:22

    Canal walks are some of my favourite ways to get out and about. We’re very lucky to live near Bradford-on-Avon so quite often go for a stroll down the canal path there. They have quite a few pubs and tea rooms along the way too, which are always a good incentive! Your photos are gorgeous, Kim, and how lovely that the woodland is on the way too. Sounds like the perfect weekend ramble, thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:31

      I’d love to take a walk around Bradford-on-Avon! You’re very lucky to live so close by. I’m hoping to take on the Cotswold Way hike next year which follows some more of the canal path (from what I’ve been told). Thanks for your comment Lisa. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Jenny in Neverland

    February 25, 2019 at 17:39

    A walk in nature is definitely what I need right now. Luckily, I’m staying in a woodland reserve next weekend for 2 days, so hopefully I can get some in then! It really does clear your mind doesn’t it ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:29

      That sounds like a lovely weekend away, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for your comment Jenny. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Sarah

    February 24, 2019 at 18:47

    I really enjoy nature walks, but during the winter I don’t really get to do many. This area looks beautiful. Can’t wait for winter to be over so I can go back to walking in nature.

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:28

      Thanks for your comment. We don’t do too many during the Winter months either as it can be very muddy, and cold! I’m hoping to do more walks as Spring comes. I do enjoy a snowy walk though.

  • Trend-mixblog

    February 23, 2019 at 15:25

    Such pretty pictures of the English country side! Looks like a such fun adventure ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:25

      Thank you! ๐Ÿ™‚ We really enjoyed it.

  • Francesca

    February 23, 2019 at 14:36

    I love nature walks too! I haven’t had one in a while, and this has made me want to go ASAP! Loving the photos and the fun facts you added in for us too. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thanks so much for sharing!
    Fran x | http://www.frantasmagoria.co.uk/

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:25

      Thanks for your comment Fran. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Geraldine

    February 22, 2019 at 17:14

    Wow I love all the description you put in here, I love nature walks although unfortunately I haven’t been doing much of it lately. The photos are so beautiful, the Woodbridge looks really lovely! I love that you added Pokemon as well haha ๐Ÿ˜‚ thank you for sharing!

    Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:24

      Lol, any excuse to add something geeky to my posts! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thank you for reading and commenting.

  • Amy

    February 22, 2019 at 07:31

    Glad you enjoyed your countryside walk. We live round the corner from a nice wood, which leads up to a farm and ice cream shop. We walk up there every summer and itโ€™s so relaxing. Although on our walk there are no Pokestops, which is annoying. Unless theyโ€™ve added more in since I last went!

    I love the photos youโ€™ve taken. Countryside areas always look so beautiful.

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:23

      That sounds like a lovely walk, especially the ice cream shop at the end of it. ๐Ÿ’— So refreshing in the Summer.

  • Chloe Chats

    February 21, 2019 at 20:11

    Ahh this is lovely! I’m a big fan of nature walks, I used to go on them a lot when I didn’t live in a city, but now it’s only every so often when I’m visiting particular places. I think my last nature walk was probably last year when I went to Belfast. I love that you included how many pokestops there were too hehe!

    Chloe xx
    http://www.chloechats.com

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:21

      Any excuse to put something geeky in my posts. ๐Ÿ˜‰ lol. I’d love to visit Belfast! I’m a little envious.

  • Stephanie Bartlett

    February 21, 2019 at 07:13

    I would love to do this walk – we love walking and particularly love the Peak District and towpaths! We have just bought a narrowboat so we will be walking along plenty of tow paths now ๐Ÿ˜†

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:19

      I’d love to visit the Peak District, it’s on my UK bucket list. I hope you enjoy taking tour narrow boat out. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Roger

    February 21, 2019 at 01:25

    Really like this post and your writing style. I felt like I was there with you along Thames. I definitely relate to being in nature. The simplicity is restorative. Also, great pictures. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Kim

      March 17, 2019 at 21:18

      Thanks for reading and your kind words Roger. ๐Ÿ™‚

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