The River Thames cuts through the city of London and, as the city grew, served as its lifeline. One of the biggest and busiest rivers in the whole of the UK, the Thames is a sight to behold for anyone visiting London. But the Thames is only one of thousands of rivers in the UK, most of which are just as beautiful and are more serene.
If you’re visiting the UK or if you’re a local looking for a fun weekend destination, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of some of the most scenic UK rivers and canal walks. Whether you’re planning a day hike or are off to an adventurous weekend hike with your buddies, here are some of the best river walks and canal hikes you can experience in the UK.
The Top UK Rivers And Canal Walks To Visit
The United Kingdom’s countryside spans almost the whole island, so the UK doesn’t have a shortage of river walks and canals. These waters are also widely accessible, with some being only several minutes away from large cities. From short afternoon hikes to some that take up a whole day or even more, here are the top UK river and canal walks to visit:
1. Tarr Steps, Exmoor National Park
Owned by the Exmoor National Park Authority, this nature reserve covers about 33 hectares of the River Barle Valley. It’s also home to a unique bridge that spans the entire river. Though the walk and hike near the River Barle is a great experience, the Clapper Bridge is definitely the main highlight of the trip. The Tarr Steps is a collection of stone slabs laid across stone supports, spanning the river crossing. While most historians date the structure to around the Medieval times, some claim that the bridge had been around since the Bronze Age, over 5,000 years ago!
2. Smardale Gill, Cumbria
The Smardale Nature Reserve is home to some of the most beautiful views in the UK. The narrow river slithers between the rolling hills, making for an interesting hike along its banks. Dogs on leads are also welcome on the trail. The reserve is a haven for small creatures such as squirrels, porcupines, and skunks. Several species of birds also populate the landscape. Smardale’s main attraction is its iconic stone brick bridge. From afar, it resembles an old Roman aqueduct.
3. Regent’s Canal, London
Exploring urban London is an experience you won’t soon forget. If you are new in town and want to get to know the city better, you can start with Regent’s Canal. The historic canal was built in 1802 as a means to connect the Grand Junction Canal with the River Thames. You can brave the city’s urban landscape and walk the 8.6-mile canal, passing by shops and riverside cafes. Some kingfishers, bats, and coots are all the wildlife you can expect to spot on your walk. The route even takes you past a floating art gallery and the London Zoo.
4. Chee Dale, Derbyshire
Chee Dale is a notable location on the River Wye in Derbyshire. The 22-mile river cuts through a protected nature reserve and allows for an immersive hike through dense forest with a route that takes adventuring tourists and visitors through Chee Dale’s steep-sided gorge. The beautiful English countryside serves as your backdrop on this intermediate-level hike. Lots of little wild animals, namely a large variety of rodents, small furry mammals, and a healthy number of species of birds. Plantlife is also abundant on the trail with flowers, trees, and plants, with some being brought in from distant places. Chee Dale’s river stepstones also serve as a great attraction for those who want an even more adventurous experience.
5. The Kennet and Avon Canal, Wiltshire
This unique canal system is a landmark along the English countryside and is an example of how you don’t need to head out to the wilderness to get a good river or canal walk experience. The Kennet and Avon Canal was built in the late 1700s and was fully constructed in 1810. Walking this canal leads you to several historical districts showcasing historical houses, architecture, and even boats that have remained relatively unchanged for over a century. There is even a portion where sailboats sail uphill!
6. College Valley, Northumberland
Snaking through Northumberland National Park’s College Valley is a winding river nestled in tranquil grasslands and meadows. The valley is as beautiful as it is peaceful, and walking along the river will make you feel as if you’ve found a field hidden from the world. The lands surrounding the river are teaming with wildlife but are exceptionally serene and quiet. In the distance are brown rolling hills and several mill houses.
7. Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Leeds and Liverpool Canal’s most famous feature is the Five Rises, a collection of locks and rises that allow a boat to move up several levels to uneven bodies of water. Though the whole canal is around 130 miles long, the three-mile walk from Saltaire station to the Five Rises is the most popular among those visiting. The whole canal is also dotted with historical sections and many cafes and shops.
8. Cuckmere River, Sussex
Cuckmere River in Sussex is one of the most photogenic backdrops for any photograph and has great Medieval-era charm thanks to its wide winding banks. The river also leads out to the White Cliffs of Dover, a rewarding sight for anyone walking the Cuckmere’s stretch. Fields filled with long grass and meadows serve as a canvas for the river’s curves and folds.
9. Coventry Canal Art Trail
Walking the Coventry Canal, especially where the basin district begins, feels like walking through Venice. You’ll find yourself walking near shops, cafes, houses, and buildings that all appear as if they had sunken. The canal stretches 38 miles, and wherever you walk, the water is sandwiched by either tall grass, flowers and trees, or historic brick buildings that seem to be frozen in time.
10. The Grand Union Canal
Regarded as the UK’s longest canal, the Grand Union Canal lives up to its name. Stretching for 140 miles, the canal connects London to the Midlands with over 160 individual locks. Though nobody would be walking the entirety of its 140-mile stretch, the canal has a very manageable 8-mile walk that takes people through its many unique features. Staying true to its name, the Grand Union Canal connects with other canals and waterways such as the River Thames, River Nene, River Soar, Regent’s Canal, Oxford Canal, and Birmingham Fazeley Canal, to name a few.
11. West Tanfield, North Yorkshire
If you’re looking for a river or a walk with lots of history and heritage, look no further than West Tanfield. The site is located near the banks of the River Ure where an old stone bridge spans the river’s width. The massive 15th-century stone gatehouse, Marmion Tower, sits near the river, towering over the much older St Nicholas church. This would be quite the destination for a quick afternoon river walk. Following the river, you’d reach a more rural portion with lots more wilderness and opportunities to get lost. Sift through the tall grass and plants to find all sorts of insects and small creatures.
12. Peak Forest Canal, Peak District
This exquisite canal sits just east of Manchester and makes a line towards the edge of the Peak District. A large portion of the canal runs parallel to the River Goyt, a river home to diverse groups and plant and animal life. Some notable man-made additions to the canal include the Marple Aqueduct and the Bugsworth Basin. The Peak Forest Canal is a favourite for lots of people who love going on short walks along rivers and canals as it has great views and lots of attractions, it also starts at a relatively populous area. Following the canal leads to a taper in people’s numbers, and following it further still brings you to a more rural and even wild part of the countryside.
13. River Liza, Cumbria
If you’re looking for a true ‘wilderness walk’ experience, you can check out River Liza. As if the trek to Lake Ennerdale wasn’t enough adventure, following the river leads you through several nature reserves with forest paths. The place is best visited during the summer and autumn times when the leaves turn from green to bright orange. From the circular paths surrounding the lake to the massive rolling hills and jagged landscape surrounding the area, River Liza and Lake Ennerdale are two places you want to take note of if you’re planning a walk through the UK’s wilderness.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of your preferences and how you want to spend your canal and river walks, the UK has a healthy selection for you to choose from. You can spend an entire weekend traversing rivers that snake through the landscape, or you can take a few hours walking beside urban streets near canals that go through cities. Many find solace from taking walks near bodies of water, so you can hope to find some peace and quiet while on one of these canal walks.
Featured Image: “Peak Forest Canal”, by Christine Johnstone, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0