{"id":4,"date":"2015-11-10T10:14:13","date_gmt":"2015-11-10T10:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:19:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T16:19:40","slug":"grand-western-canal-country-park-and-local-nature-reserve-including-horse-drawn-barge-trips-cafes-canal-themed-play-park-visitor-centre-boat-hire-marina-moorings-non-residential-gift-shop-p","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Welcome to the Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve meanders for 11\u00bc miles through beautiful countryside and peaceful villages between the market town of Tiverton and the hamlet of Lowdwells on the Somerset border.<\/p>\n<p>With a history spanning over 200 years, the Canal still features many of its original structures and historic buildings. Locals often refer to it as the <em>Tiverton Canal<\/em>, and it remains famous for the Tivertonian &#8211; a traditional horse\u2011drawn barge, operated by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tivertoncanal.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiverton Canal Co.<\/a>, that has carried visitors on leisurely cruises for more than 45 years.<\/p>\n<p>Owned by Devon County Council and managed by the Ranger Service, the park is a haven for wildlife, with varied habitats including woodland, hedgerows, open water and ponds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content-menu content-menu-default\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-3 large-up-3 content-menu-container\"><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-1\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><div class=\"content-menu-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" \r\n                src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/vistor-board.png\" \r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/vistor-board.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/vistor-board.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/vistor-board.png 300w\" \r\n                sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 300px, (max-width: 1023px) 300px, 300px\" \r\n                width=\"300\" \r\n                height=\"220\" \r\n                alt=\"visitor board of information\" \r\n                \/><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/visitor-information\">Visitor Information<\/a><\/h3><\/div><p>Planning a visit to the Country Park? You\u2019ll find all the essential visitor information here to help you make the most of your day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-2\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><div class=\"content-menu-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" \r\n                src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Grand-Western-Canal-Map-2020.jpg\" \r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Grand-Western-Canal-Map-2020.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Grand-Western-Canal-Map-2020.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Grand-Western-Canal-Map-2020.jpg 320w\" \r\n                sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 640px, (max-width: 1023px) 320px, 320px\" \r\n                width=\"640\" \r\n                height=\"452\" \r\n                alt=\"\" \r\n                \/><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/country-park-map\">Country Park Map<\/a><\/h3><\/div><p>The Canal extends for eleven and a quarter mile (18km) from the Canal Basin in Tiverton, through the villages of Halberton, Sampford Peverell, and Burlescombe, to the hamlet of Lowdwells, close to the Somerset border.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-3\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><div class=\"content-menu-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" \r\n                src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/barge-image.png\" \r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/barge-image.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/barge-image.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2024\/05\/barge-image.png 300w\" \r\n                sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 300px, (max-width: 1023px) 300px, 300px\" \r\n                width=\"300\" \r\n                height=\"220\" \r\n                alt=\"image of barge on the river\" \r\n                \/><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/thingstodo\">Things to do<\/a><\/h3><\/div><p>Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle ride along the towpath, experience a ride on the horse-drawn barge,  have a leisurely paddle in a canoe, or enjoy a tranquil fishing spot, there\u2019s something for everyone at the Grand Western Canal Country Park.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-4\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.mipermit.com\/devon\/Account\/PermitPurchase.aspx?PermitType=BOAT\" rel=\"noopener\">Boat Permit<\/a><\/h3><p>Purchase online for canoeing, kayaking, SUPs and boating.<\/p>\n<p>Note: Swans with cygnets may be aggressive. Paddlers may need to get out and walk past them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-5\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonpermits.org\/Permits\/pages\/OnlineSeasonSelectForm.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\">Canal Basin Car Parking Permit<\/a><\/h3><p>Purchase a Season Ticket for parking at the Canal Basin Car Park.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-6\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/byelaws-codes-of-conduct-policies-faqs\">Byelaws, codes of conduct, policies and FAQs<\/a><\/h3><p>A quick guide to our byelaws, policies, FAQs, and responsible Canal use.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><li class=\"cell content-menu-item item-7\"><div class=\"content-menu-inner\"><div class=\"content-menu-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" \r\n                src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Canal-Rangers1-e1715786091628.jpg\" \r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Canal-Rangers1-e1715786091628.jpg 501w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Canal-Rangers1-e1715786091628-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2020\/04\/Canal-Rangers1-e1715786091628-320x240.jpg 320w\" \r\n                sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 501px, (max-width: 1023px) 320px, 320px\" \r\n                width=\"501\" \r\n                height=\"362\" \r\n                alt=\"Canal Rangers (Jo Roberts, Craig Saunderson) and Canal Manager (Mark Baker)\" \r\n                \/><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/contact-us\">Contact us<\/a><\/h3><\/div><p>Grand Western Canal Country Park &amp; Local Nature Reserve<br \/>\nThe Moorings<br \/>\nCanal Hill<br \/>\nTiverton<br \/>\nDevon<br \/>\nEX16 4HX<\/p>\n<p>Tel: 01884 254072<br \/>\nEmail: gwcanal@devon.gov.uk<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve meanders for 11\u00bc miles through beautiful countryside and peaceful villages between the market town of Tiverton and the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading Home\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":920,"featured_media":2586,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-home.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-02 11:00:37","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3645,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions\/3645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/grandwesterncanal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}