2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (formerly the Kennet & Avon Canal Association). Our celebrations will be mainly in June with events held along the canal, linked by one of our accessible boats – Hannah – travelling from Bristol to Reading. This commemorates the journey of Timothy West and Prunella Scales, who were the first to travel the length of the canal when it reopened in 1990 (Tim & Pru were vice presidents of our Trust for many years). The culmination of our celebrations will be at Reading Waterfest on Saturday 27th June. Do join us at any of the events in green below or meet us anywhere along the way – keep checking back for updates or follow our Facebook page
Tuesday 2nd June
Set off from Great Bedwyn, heading west
Late morning: Crofton Pumping Station – opening of KA75 display
Travel up the Crofton flight and through the tunnel
Wednesday 3rd June
To Pewsey; afternoon Open Boat at Pewsey Wharf
Thursday 4th June
To Honeystreet; afternoon Open Boat at the Barge Inn
Evening event at the Barge Inn
Friday 5th June
To Devizes
Saturday 6th June
11am Trust AGM in the Devizes Wharf Building
2pm – 6pm Grand Celebration Event at Devizes wharf
Sunday 7th June
Down Caen Hill: come and ride through a lock! How many people can we involve?
Monday 8th / Tuesday 9th June
To Bath
Wednesday 10th June
Arrive in Bristol in the evening, welcomed by a flotilla of little boats
Thursday 11th June
Morning: Formal send-off from Bristol heading to Reading
Welcome to CRT waters at Hanham Lock
Friday 12th June
Morning: short trips from Bath
Afternoon: up the Bath lock flight
Saturday 13th June
Morning / lunchtime: Open Boat at Bathampton, with trips our new Sir john Knill trip boat
Afternoon: Sir John Knill and Hannah travel in convoy to Bradford-on-Avon
Evening: Crew BBQ
Sunday 14th June
10.30am – 4.30pm Canalside fete at Bradford-on-Avon
Monday 15th – Friday 19th June
From Bradford-on-Avon to Crofton
Saturday 20th June
At Crofton for a special Steaming Weekend
Sunday 21st June
Morning: at Crofton Steaming day
2.30pm – 4.30pm: Midsummer Fete at Great Bedwyn
Monday 22nd June
Afternoon / Evening event at Hungerford with local history society
Tuesday 23rd June
To Newbury
Wednesday 24th June
All day event at Newbury
Thursday 25th / Friday 26th June
Newbury to Reading
Saturday 27th June
Triumphal entry to Reading Waterfest
Open Boat, music, stalls, etc, at Reading Waterfest all day
Saturday 4th July
Evening: BBQ with music at Aldermaston Wharf
Tuesday 7th July
Hannah returns to Great Bedwyn
Evening: celebration BBQ for all crew at Bedwyn Wharf
