The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve meanders for eleven and a quarter miles through beautiful countryside and quiet villages between the market town of Tiverton and the hamlet of Lowdwells (near the Somerset border).
The Country Park features:
- Horse-drawn barge trips
- Cafés
- Canal-themed play park
- Visitor Centre
- Boat hire
- 11 1/4 miles of flat, surfaced towpath
- Marina moorings (non residential)
- Gift shop
- Public toilets
- Picnic sites
- Car parks
The Canal’s story covers over 200 years of fascinating heritage, with many of its original features and buildings still surviving. Many people know the park locally as the ‘Tiverton Canal’. The Canal is probably best known for the horse-drawn barge, Tivertonian, run by the Tiverton Canal Co. that has been taking visitors for a leisurely cruise for more than 45 years.
Owned by Devon County Council; the Canal is managed by the Ranger Service as both a Country Park and a Local Nature Reserve. The park offers a haven for wildlife, as it have a variety of habitats including woodland, hedgerows, open water and ponds.
Families visiting the park can learn about the Canal’s history in our interactive Visitor Centre or enjoy playing on the Canal-themed Play Park at the Canal Basin. A well surfaced towpath adjacent to the Canal, provides ample opportunities for walking, running and cycling. Alternatively, if you’re venturing further along the Canal, then why not stop at one of our many car parks or enjoy a picnic at one of our picnic sites. Rangers have installed over 150 benches throughout the park, to provide ideal places for visitors to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding are all popular on the canal. The park also provides a quiet and relaxing venue for angling, and is especially noted for its summer Tench fishing. Please note: You will need to purchase a permit in advanced to do these activities within the Country Park.