A historic market town in the heart of Wiltshire has been named as one of the top canal towns in the UK.
National newspaper The Telegraph has published a list of the top 10 canal towns in the UK.
The report offers readers a “selection of UK towns and villages with attractive canals where you can enjoy some ‘gongoozling’ (a term used to describe observing narrowboats) or join a guided boat trip.”
Among a number of other historic locations is the Wiltshire market town of Devizes, receiving praise for its “handsome buildings” and famous Caen Hill flight of locks.
The article also highlights the volunteer-run lock assistance and boat trips that allow visitors to experience a trip through a few locks – just a glimpse at the journey that takes four hours between top and bottom.
The full breakdown of Devizes’ entry on the list reads: “In 1810, the Kennet and Avon Canal linked Bristol to London.
“Towns along the 87-mile route grew rich from increased trade. That wealth shows in the handsome buildings of the compact town of Devizes.
“A museum in a former bonded warehouse explains the history of the canal, fully restored for leisure traffic in the 1980s.
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“A walk down the towpath is Caen Hill flight of locks, 29 in total, lowering the canal 237ft in just over two miles, from the Vale of Pewsey to the Avon Valley.
“It takes four hours to transit these locks in a boat. Thankfully for boaters, volunteers are on duty to help.
“Boat trips from Devizes Wharf – run by volunteers – either explore the level pound or take you through a few locks. There is a little café partway down the flight.”
The list sought to direct holidaymakers looking for something different from seaside towns in the record-setting heat of this year’s warm seasons.
The article reads: “Our inland waterways offer heritage and history, shady waterside cafes and pubs, pleasant strolls and boat trips galore.”
The list also featured a number of other nationally-recognised canal towns, such as West Yorkshire’s Hebden Bridge, and Shardlow in Derbyshire, “arguably the prettiest canal town in the country.”
Falkirk in Scotland – the iconic home of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only turning lock that carries boats 100ft through the air between parts of the canal – also featured.
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