Five things to do at Pewsey Wharf:
The Kennet & Avon Canal formed a line of defence against invasion during the Second World War. Did you know it was called the GHQ Stop Line Blue and was fortified with anti-tank obstacles. Look out for pillboxes along the waterway.
Keep an eye open for kingfishers!
Go along the towpath and look out for the winding hole, one of the few places where boats can turn round.
Relax with a picnic and watch boats making their way sleepily along the canal.
Walk to Ladies Bridge and the Wide Water, near Wilcot. It’s said that Mrs Wroughton and her two daughters, who owned the land, would only sell part of it to the canal company on condition this bridge was built and the canal made to look like an ornamental lake.
Explore Caen Hill Locks:
The Kennet & Avon Canal has awesome examples of canal engineering. At Caen Hill, you can see the longest continuous flight of locks in the country. Look up from the bottom at the 16 locks that form the main ‘staircase’. The locks and side reservoir
pounds (ponds) of Caen Hill were the last stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal to be built in 1810. John Rennie, developed the flight in response to the challenge of taking the waterway over a steep 1 in 44 gradient (rising 237 feet).
Because of the steepness of the terrain, the pounds between the middle 16 locks are very short and have been turned sideways. As a result, 15 locks have unusually large side pounds, to store the
water needed to operate them. They are teaming with fish and birds (such as kingfisher, swans and heron) as well as a range of dragonflies. They are often visited by otters.
