Rose of Hungerford Restarts Canal Trips After Covid
‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’.
Shakespeare’s meaning was that a name means very little but as long as you love each other.
The Rose of Hungerford waiting for passengers at Hungerford.
And what’s not to love with this Hungerford rose ‘The Rose of Hungerford’?
Rose of Hungerford To Restart On 22nd May
Following the enforced Covid-19 close down there are plans to restart the service on 22nd May. Please refer to this link for the post Covid required measures and departures.
An ideal chance to take a canal boat trip for a couple of hours. Riding a passenger barge that ply’s its trade along a stretch of the Kennett and Avon canal in Berkshire several times each week, from Easter to October.
Video filmed Pre Covid
Staffed by a keen crew of volunteers the barge leaves from Hungerford bridge and heads east. And depending on the weather and other traffic using the canal, it will take you for round trip lasting over two hours.
Cruising the Kennett and Avon canal with walkers and another barge making its way west.
The trip I made took in two locks. Dun Mill and Wire Locks and gave glimpses of wildlife and birds that use the canal and tow path areas.
Take A Canal Boat Trip On The Kennett And Avon
This a sedate jaunt along the canal at just over walking pace. It does offer a chance to get off if time permits to stretch your legs. Also where you can watch her turning around before returning to pick you up again as you gently glide back to Hungerford. With the chance for more wildlife spotting or just waving at the fellow boaters and canal users.
The Rose of Hungerford on the Kennett and Avon canal.
A deer, a brief view of a Kingfisher and being springtime groups of down covered ducklings too.
Known as a hot spot for antiques the delightful town of Hungerford in West Berkshire has been a perfectly placed town in history. With it being connected on three major transport networks over now and over the centuries.
The Rose of Hungerford passenger barge trip with drinks and snacks.
First the road with the coach and horse A4 London to Bristol route. Next came the canal of the Kennett and Avon followed by the Great Western railway who were quick to use to relatively level routing that surveyor John Rennie had identified for the waterway to their advantage too!
The Hungerford Rose Canal Trip
After the opening of the railway in 1841 the canal traffic dropped and over the following years fell into disrepair. Used briefly in both world wars the canal beach silted up and in 1966 volunteers started to bring the canal back into use and today the Kennett and Avon is a very popular leisure and tourism asset in Southern England.
Crew work the locks on the Kennett and Avon canal.
As well as the more regular schedule trips the barge is available for private hire, parties and events it does have an electric wheelchair lift. It has small bar providing on board snacks, teas, coffee and licensed refreshments. Cream tea cruises are popular on special days too.
Safety and canal historical information brief on the Rose of Hungerford.
The 50 foot long craft can take up to 50 passengers and well behaved dogs with the skipper having the last say if they need to.
Charter trips are generally longer and can travel both either east or west from the town for these journeys.
A buffet catering option, sit down dining or fish and chips are the choices. Prices start from £210. It only has a cash bar!
The two and a half hour cruises cost £9.00 each Seniors £8.00 and Children £5.00 Family tickets £24.00. Bookings can be made in advance online.
