How to get there - Devizes is at the junction of the A342 and A361. When traveling through the town look for the brown signs to Devizes Wharf or the Wharf Theatre.
For those with SatNav a nearby postcode is SN101EB.
Get a map with driving directions to start or end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Devizes Wharf is the best place to unload and launch but while there is parking here it is Pay and Dispaly at £0.50 per hour (until 6. p.m. - free on Sunday). Depending on the timing this could prove expensive if you are doing this as part of a two or three day trip so I suggest you use the road side parking on the other side of the canal (signposted Cemetery)
A days paddle will take you to Honeystreet (The Barge Inn) where we camped before proceeding east for a second day. If you want a one day paddle you will need to leave a car at Honeystreet (SN9 5PS) but if you want a two day trip you will need to leave a car at Wooton Rivers (SN8 4NQ).
Devizes Wharf is also home to the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust who have a museum here.
General
Description - Set off East. This is the western end of the 16 mile "Long Pound" giving the opportunity for 2 days of portage free paddling. This is a nice paddle through mainly open chalk downland. There are a couple of swing bridges which you can get under with care.
Good views of the Alton Barnes White Horse to the North towards the end of the day. The Barge Inn , in addition to having a fine selection of real ale, has a fairly basic but adequate campsite and is the centre for local enthusiasts of crop circles.
A great trip for me and my two girls. We start at Devizes and paddle towards Alton Barnes stopping at both riverside pubs on the way to keep dad happy.We get out at The Barge at Honey Street, camp the night and sample the music and entertainment they have throughout the season.The next day we put on the electric outboard (which we delivered there on our way past in the morning) and we motor back to Devizes.Not lazy, but time is usually against us on a Sunday.
Keith Day 17 Aug 2011
Since 2010 the Barge Inn has become a successful community project. Their website says
"Whilst the Barge Inn has always been a quirky, much loved canalside pub, it is now also a unique collaboration between the pub's owners, Honeystreet Ales and their social enterprise tenants, The Barge Inn Community Project. If successful, it could inspire other communities to take an active role in the running of their local pub. We hope you will visit us soon."
Keith 27 Mar 2009
As an alternative to the Barge at Honeystreet, there is also camping at the Golden Swan at Wilton. This is about three miles further east along the canal and will require a 200 metre portage but this pub /site is recommended as being quieter than The Barge and with better facilities. I have not used it myself so I'm relying on information supplied.
