Burlescombe to Lowdwells – Canal Walk (Stage 4)

Approximate Time: 45mins

Distance: 2½ miles/ 4km

Type of Walk: The towpath here is mostly flat and easy, but it narrows in places and can become soft or muddy near streams, bridges, and wooded cuttings. Short road links, steps, and the diversion around Waytown Tunnel add brief stretches of uneven or enclosed footing.

Directions: 

1. A return can be made to Fossend or you can head on to Fenacre Bridge by way of the road or by the footpath by Canonsleigh Priory. The footpath starts at a gate on the bend of the lane and takes you through fields by the side of a small stream. At the end of the footpath turn right to return to the Canal towpath.
2. The next stretch of the Canal is very straight for some distance and runs in a deepening cutting to Whipcott. Just beyond Fenacre Bridge a feeder stream comes in beneath the towpath.
3. Go up the steps just after Whipcott Bridge. Beside the road just beyond the bridge is Whipcott Quarry and the bricked-up arches of two large limekilns can be seen at the entrance. Across the bridge is a cottage and, until recently, a smithy where the large barge horses were sometimes shod. Small wharves can be seen in this area. In the years immediately before the Canal closed to traffic in 1924, road stone was taken from the quarry on this side of the Canal and brought by tramway to the field above the wharf. From there, it was sent down a chute to be loaded twice a day on to three barges, which were pulled by two horses to the Tiverton Road Bridge Wharf or to Halberton Wharf where they were unloaded by hand for the crushing plant there.
4. Return to the towpath and notice in a short while some more kilns on the opposite bank. The grate of the right-hand one has fallen in and daylight can be seen coming in from the bowl above.
5. Shortly afterwards the Canal narrows as Waytown Tunnel is approached. This has no towpath. A length of chain and an iron ring attached to the south portal would have been used to propel the boats through. The tunnel takes the Canal under the Holcombe Rogus-Whipcott road and is quite short, emerging into a well-wooded cutting.
6. The towpath, which goes up to the road across the top of the south portal, continues on the opposite side of the west bank. Through the trees can shortly be seen the restored and enlarged Wharf House beside the last wharf on this section. As the path reaches the level of the Canal, a leat can be seen a little above.
7. The Canal terminates at Lowdwells beside Lock's Cottage and there are clever traces of the lock which took it down to a lower level on its way to Taunton.
8. Beyond this the Canal continues, crossing the lane below on an aqueduct, the abutments of which still remain, and soon came to the first lift on the Taunton section. The Lift Cottage can just be seen, but it is possible to trace stretches of the abandoned Canal all the way to Taunton. Of particular interest are Nynehead lift and the Tone aqueduct.