Grand Western Canal Country Park

Opened in 1814 and originally used largely for the carriage of limestone, the Canal today is a Country Park, Conservation Area and a Local Nature Reserve and is a tranquil recreational waterway for walking, cycling, boating and fishing (permits are required for the latter 2 activities).

Meandering through eleven miles of pleasant Mid Devon landscape from Tiverton to Lowdwells, just south of the Somerset border, the scenery is constantly changing and there is a wealth of wildlife, including swans and kingfishers. The Canal is excellent for birdwatchers and botanists as well as all lovers of canals and countryside.

All eleven miles of the towpath is a public right of way and is well surfaced providing easy walking opportunities from the villages and car parks dotted along the length of the Canal. A number of circular walks incorporating the towpath and surrounding footpaths are also possible and maps and route descriptions can be downloaded from the walking section of the Canal website.

Facilities for boaters have been much improved in recent years, with the construction of a new slipway and landing stages. Minnows Touring Park (near Sampford Peverell) provides services for boaters and Mid Devon Moorings (near Halberton) provides long-term moorings.
Explore the canal by hiring a boat… rowing boats, Canadian canoes and self-drive motor boats are available at the Canal Basin in Tiverton, or take a trip aboard the last horse-drawn barge in the Westcountry, all operated by the Tiverton Canal Co. between Easter and November. Also in the Canal Basin you’ll find The Canal Tea Rooms and Garden and the Duck’s Ditty floating café-bar for refreshments, as well as the Canal visitors centre.

Cycling is an increasingly popular way for families to explore the Canal and for longer distance riders, National Cycle Network Route 3 follows much of the towpath. Cycle hire is available from Abbotshood Cycle Hire beside the Canal in Halberton, and the owners are happy to deliver and collect bikes anywhere along the canal, by prior arrangement. They also have a Tramper mobility buggy available to hire for less physically-able visitors, who wish to explore the Canal with their friends or family.

The Canal is managed to a high standard by Devon County Council’s Canal Ranger Service and has been successful in achieving Green Flag Award status for the last 3 years.