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Gloucester Docks and Sharpness Canal

Inland Water
Walk Leader
Anne Bryson LRPS
Co-Leader
Alan Castle LRPS
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 10:00
Capacity
15
Gloucester Docks from Neilsen's drydock

Gloucester Docks itself is quite compact with plenty of photographic interest in an easily accessible space. As well as the Main basin, Victoria Dock and the Barge Arm, all of which provide berths for narrow boats and other leisure craft, T.Nielsen and Company has its base in Gloucester Docks where it offers a range of facilities for repair and restoration of traditional vessels. The warehouses at the top end of the docks, nearest the town have all been restored over recent years and now house apartments, retail and food outlets, whilst at the lower end, many of the old warehouses are derelict with limited access. Gloucester Docks is also home to LV14 SULA, one of the few remaining Lightships and Llanthony Secunda Priory, also recently restored provides photo opportunities for those interested in architecture or history.

As you walk away from the town and out of the docks you join the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, again providing a rage of photo opportunities from boats to bridges, frequent angling competitions, a canoe club to a variety of buildings and businesses on the opposite bank of the canal. The canal is 16 miles long, however I would suggest we limit our walk to the 2 mile market as a maximum.

The whole area is flat and very accessible although can be slippery after rain, and the canal towpath can be rough in places, so suitable footwear should be worn.

https://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/gloucester/docks.htm

https://llanthonysecunda.org/

Walk Location

Gloucester Docks and Sharpness Canal

Walk Directions

We will meet outside the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum at 10am, which is at the top end of the docks in Back Badge Square, accessed from Commercial Road. For those driving, there is parking at Southgate Moorings - GL1 2DB, Gloucester Quays - GL1 5SH or Castlemeads - GL1 2NH. All are cashless.

Gloucester Docks is about a 20 minute walk from Gloucester Railway Station or you can take a number 8 or number 10 bus from the Transport Hub, which is right opposite the railway station. the bus will drop you in Southgate Street.

Accessibility

Gloucester Docks itself is quite compact and very accessible. There are steps down into the dock area from Commercial Road and Southgate Street, however there is level access from the bottom of Commercial Road and a ramp from the Southgate Street entrance.

Should participants wish to walk to the 2 mile marker on the canal as well as round the dock area, the maximum distance would be in the region of 5 miles, however there is plenty to photograph in the docks itself without going this extra distance. I would anticipate that one leader stay in the docks area while the other accompanies those who with to walk along the canal.

There are plenty of food outlets in the docks should participants require refreshments.

Feedback Meeting Type
Zoom
Feedback Talk Date and Time
Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 19:00

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.
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