Grand Western Canal

Tiverton Road Bridge by C Saunderson

The Grand Western Canal Country Park meanders through beautiful mid-Devon countryside and quiet villages between Tiverton and Lowdwells (near the Somerset border). Declared a Country Park in 1971 and a Local Nature Reserve in 2005, the canal is owned and managed by Devon County Council, in partnership with Mid Devon District Council.

The Country Park is managed for recreation, wildlife and historic interest and appeals both to local communities and visitors alike. Extending for eleven and a quarter miles, the Country Park provides a wonderful location to enjoy walking, cycling, boating, fishing and picnics.

The Canal Basin in Tiverton is well signposted from the M5 and provides car parking, public toilets, a small visitor centre, Tea Gardens and a floating café/bar. It is also home to the much-loved horse-drawn barge that has been taking passengers for trips along the canal since 1974.

Other smaller car parks, picnic sites and canal related businesses are dotted along the length of the canal, for their locations please see the

The Country Park is managed by the Grand Western Canal Country Park Ranger Service, who are based in the Canal Basin in Tiverton. In addition to all the vegetation and habitat management, and maintenance of the site fabric, they run an annual programme of events; a volunteer ranger service; lead healthy walks; and provide an education service for schools.

The Canal Ranger Service produce infromation guides about the Country Park which can be downloaded here.

What's new?

Volunteer Days 2010

Volunteers at Sampford Peverell hedge

Date: Sunday10th January
Time: 10am - 4:30pm

Date: Sunday14th February
Time: 10am - 4:30pm

Date: Sunday 14th March
Time: 10am - 4:30pm

For more information about Volunteering at the Grand Western Canal Country Park please contact the Ranger Service on Tel:01884 254072 or email:gwcanal@devon.gov.uk

New Visitor Centre for Canal Basin

Architect' s impression of how new visitor centre may look

The Grand Western Canal Country Park is celebrating after successfully securing £240,000 funding to build a new visitor centre in the Canal Basin in Tiverton.

Read more... image - PDF icon (636KB - pdf help)

Country Park Accreditation Scheme

Country Park Accreditation Scheme

The Grand Western Canal Country Park is among the first in the UK to gain national recognition under Natural England's new scheme.

Read more... image - PDF icon (636KB - pdf help)

Contact Us

Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve

Ranger Service
The Moorings
Canal Hill
Tiverton
Devon
EX16 4HX

Telephone

01884 254072

Fax

01884 255935

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