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Great Western Canal

Inland Water
Walk Leader
Andrew Tandy
Co-Leader
Jo Shepherd
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 10:00
Capacity
12
Mute Swans, Canal Bank

The Grand Western Canal is a scenic, historic waterway which originally stretched from Tiverton to Taunton where it joined the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. The first section of the canal was built between 1810 and 1814 and ran between Lowdeswell and Tiverton. This section of canal is eleven and a quarter miles long and as well as offering picturesque views, abundant wildlife and a peaceful atmosphere, it also retains many original features and buildings which provide an insight into its industrial past.

Our walk, which will be approximately 3.5 miles in total, is along a flat, well-made towpath and will explore the section of the canal that runs between Black Bridge and Canals End, Lowdeswell.

We will meet at Beech Car Park near Burlescombe, where we will drop down onto the canal path turning right following the towpath towards Lowdeswell. As we make our way we will have the opportunity to appreciate this inland waterway, some of it’s industrial heritage such as Waytown Lime Kilns and hopefully some of the wildlife which now makes this habitat it’s home. It is not unusual to see Kingfishers, Reed and Sedge Warblers.

At the end of this section of our walk we come to Lowdeswell Lock, the area is better known as Canal End with a bund having been constructed to access a picnic site on the opposite bank. We aim to reach the picnic area at around midday, so why not bring a warm drink/picnic lunch to enjoy before we make our way back to the car park.

Our return to the car park will allow us to continue beyond to Black Bridge where we will be able to see evidence of a disused tramway that serviced Westleigh Quarry and its access to the canal system.

Walk Location

Great Western Canal

Walk Directions

Our walk will commence from the Car Park, Burlescombe, Tiverton, EX16 7JD (What Three Words Ref: Tuck.Dumpy.Ruffling). The car park is a reasonable size and can accommodate 12 plus good size cars. We will all meet in the car park and from there we can easily drop down onto the canal path.

Accessibility

Our walk is predominantly along a flat well made towpath with a short slope down/up to the car park. Care should be taken on the towpath where cyclist and occasional raised tree roots may be encountered.

Amenities in the area of our walk are very limited, we would suggest that participants consider bringing a warm drink and picnic lunch to enjoy when we reach Lowdwdeswell.

Feedback Meeting Type
Zoom
Feedback Talk Date and Time
Monday, November 10, 2025 - 19:30

Webform

Please note:

  • There is no charge for RPS members, non-members are charged £10.
  • You are booking the initial Zoom talk, the walk and the follow up discussion.
  • You will receive a link to the initial Zoom talk which will be recorded, a link to which will also be sent to you.
  • You may only book one person at a time using this form. If you wish to add several people, ensure you have all of the information you need at hand and visit this page for each person in turn.
  • If you book more than one person using the same email address then you will only receive one invitation to the initial Zoom talk because Zoom works on email addresses and not names.
  • You do not have to belong to either the Digital Imaging Group, Landscape Group or the RPS to take part. These events are jointly organised by DIG and Landscape.
  • A confirmation email will be sent to the address given here. Ensure that it is correct. If you don't receive a confirmation within 24 hours please check your spam folder and if it's not there use the contact form and we will investigate.
  • Either use the contact form or email TWT [at] rps.org (TWT[at]rps[dot]org) (include the walk title) for any enquiries you may have.
6 of 12 places taken
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Selected Image(s)

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Walk Zine

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Recording

The Zoom talk will be recorded and everyone who is booked on or leading a walk will be sent the link a day or two after the talk takes place.

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