Grand Western Canal

The Grand Western Canal Country Park meanders for 11¼ miles through beautiful countryside and quiet villages between Tiverton and the hamlet of Lowdwells, close to the Somerset border.

Once used mainly for the carriage of limestone, it is nowadays managed as a popular Green Flag Award-winning Country Park. Most of the historic structures remain, including Grade II-listed limekilns, milestones, an aqueduct, a tunnel and an array of fine bridges.

The Canal is also a Local Nature Reserve and County Wildlife Site and is home to a wealth of wildlife, being particularly notable for its wildflower-rich banks, its dragonflies and its Kingfishers.

The Canal is probably best known for the horse-drawn passenger barge Tivertonian, that has been taking passengers for trips since 1974. This living-heritage attraction is operated by the Tiverton Canal Co. and offers the opportunity to step back in time and enjoy the tranquillity of the Country Park whilst gliding along to the sound of birdsong and the horses’ hooves clopping along the towpath.

The Canal Basin in Tiverton is well sign-posted and provides a great starting point for a visit, providing a large car park, visitor centre, cafes, boat hire, gift shop, play park, and the starting point for horse-drawn barge trips.

Other activities that can be enjoyed at the Country Park include:

· Walking – the towpath is flat and well-surfaced and is a public footpath throughout its length. Circular routes incorporating the towpath and connecting footpaths are promoted on the Country Park website. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

· Cycling – Cycling is permitted throughout the length of the towpath and much of it is also included in National Cycle Route 3. As the towpath is a fairly narrow shared-use trail, it lends itself to leisurely cycling by considerate cyclists that are not in a rush.

· Angling – Noted for its summer Tench and winter Pike angling, fishing rights are leased to the Tiverton and District Angling Club and day tickets can be bought at local outlets (see Country Park website for details).

· Boating and paddling – Rowing boats and Canadian canoes can be hired in the Canal Basin, and if you wish to bring your own boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard, permits can be bought at local outlets or online (see Country Park website for details).