Tiverton to Halberton – Canal Walk (Stage 1)

Approximate Time: 1hr

Distance: 3½ miles/ 5.6km

Type of Walk: The walk is easy, following the flat and well‑surfaced Grand Western Canal towpath with consistently reliable footing and only gentle gradients. Expect narrow stretches, occasional muddy patches after rain, and low bridges or waterside edges, but overall it’s a straightforward, accessible route with minimal challenge.

Parking:

To reach the canal basin, when approaching Tiverton town centre follow the 'brown symbol' signposting (barge canal in silhouette). The basin is situated on the south west side of the town, just beyond the car park. Turn left into the car park; the basin lies some feet above on the right.

Before you leave the car park, take a moment to notice Lime Kiln Cottage—now a tearoom and thought to be one of the few remaining thatched cottages in Tiverton. On the right, you can also see the remains of the old limekilns. These kilns once played a vital role in the life of the Canal. The Tiverton branch was built largely to transport limestone from the Canonsleigh quarries near Holcombe Rogus. Once brought to the kilns—along with coal transported partly by canal from Taunton—the limestone was burnt to produce lime, a material heavily used in nineteenth‑century agriculture.

Directions:

1. A short way along the tow path the cut is narrowed by some masonry which is the base of a former bridge and has still the grooves for a stop-gate so that part of the Canal can be sealed off in an emergency.
2. A little further on we come to the first of the Canal bridges, a modern footbridge built to give access to the school on the north bank from the estate on the far side.
3. The next bridge, Tidcombe, with an elegant arch, is situated somewhat awkwardly round a sharp bend, though the Canal is wider at this point to enable boats to negotiate the turn.
4. Just before the Canal bends round to the left is the first milestone, its inscription illegible.
5. The Canal then bends round to the right above the valley of the River Lowman and is lined by tall oak trees. Soon it passes under a bridge. A shady wooded section follows.
6. About half a mile along is Manley Bridge. Leave the towpath and walk over the bridge to note many stonemasons' marks on both parapets, some of which recur on later stone bridges. Each mason had his own mark, which was incised on any stone which he prepared, so that unsatisfactory work could be traced.
7. Further along the towpath, after a straight stretch is milestone II.
8. The fifth bridge carries a lane to East Manley: stop-gate grooves are clearly visible here.
9. The Canal then curves round by the road for a short distance until an Aqueduct is reached. This was built in 1847 in connection with the construction of the Bristol and Exeter railway branch from Tiverton Junction to Tiverton.
10. Shortly afterwards, the Canal passes under two bridges in quick succession. The first is known as Crownhill or Change Path Bridge, and the second is Tiverton Road Bridge.
11. At this point, the Canal takes a sharp bend at milestone III and makes a loop of nearly a mile in length to follow the contour above the shallow valley leading down to Halberton, and passes through some pleasant wooded country opposite the Tiverton Golf Club. Just before the loop, you will find a little Coffee Van - Box Circa 75, a perfect pit-stop to grab a coffee and enjoy the view of the canal!
12. Opposite milestone III is another wharf where stone was unloaded and crushed for use in road making in the years immediately before the Canal closed to traffic.

This area is now a well sited, pleasant picnic area with ample parking and well placed for a short tow-path walk in either direction.