Crofton Steam and Canal Walk
10 people attending
15 places left
This is a special walk - (more of a day out really) that is easy to reach from London Oxford, Reading, Bristol etc either by road via the M4 and A4 or train. It allows you time to get up close with some really big pistons! On the route we will visit the oldest working steam engines in the world still performing the job they were built to do - raising water from a lake to fill the Kennet and Avon canal. There are two beam engines, one of which is an original 200-year-old Boulton & Watt. Both are fed by a hand-stoked, coal-fired Lancashire boiler. These are magnificent pieces of industrial archaeology. On the day of the walk there will be a special event with live steaming going on. Admission is £8 (£6.50 if there's more than 10 of us)
The walk itself is in the heart of the North Wessex Downs AONB and takes us in a circle passing along some ancient tracks and gently undulating scenery, and also following the canal towpath at times for scenes of narrow boats chugging along.
Also along the route we will pass Wilton Water an 8 acre spring water fed lake which happens to be the largest Aquatic Wildlife Trust Site in Wiltshire. Wilton Water was the result of a number of local waterways being diverted so that the canal had a means of being topped up. When this work was completed, the local watermills no longer had sufficient water power to run, so Wilton Windmill was built near the pretty village of Wilton, which we will also pass. Wilton Windmill is the only working windmill in Wessex and still produces wholemeal, stone-ground flour. There may be time for a pint in the village pub.
What to bring
Money : You'll need up to £8 in cash to enter the pumping station and more to by drinks and snacks there.
Water: bring at least a litre
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch, which can be eaten at the pumping station alongside the canal. Snacks can also be obtained from the licensed cafe at the Crofton Steam Pumping Station.