For obvious reasons, more & more people are choosing to staycation in the UK, meaning it’s perhaps even more alluring to escape the crowds & ‘busy-ness’ that lots of tourists bring. Could the Bridgewater & Taunton canal be a perfect place to get away from it all?
After spending a gorgeous morning, ambling along the water with nothing but the local wildlife for company, we would definitely say it’s a firm runner of places to escape for a wee while. After the hectic times of late, more & more people are being drawn back to nature & are connecting with the natural world around them. We chose the lovely Somerset Boat Centre for our first Bridgwater & Taunton canal adventure & in this post, we share our experience with you.
Disclaimer – our experience at Somerset Boat Centre was gifted to us in exchange for this review. As always, we only endorse products & experiences that we have tried & loved, remaining honest & transparent with you, our audience. If you’d like to learn more visit our how we operate page.
Written by The Wilder Route on 8th July 2021.
The Bridgewater & Taunton Canal
Connecting the two Somerset towns of Bridgwater & Taunton, the Bridgwater & Taunton canal opened back in 1827, linking the River Tone & River Parrett to provide commercial traffic between these two thriving market towns. The majority of this 14.5 mile (23 km) canal is rural & attracts all kinds of ‘outdoorsy’ types including walkers, fishermen, boatmen, nature enthusiasts & kayakers.
The canal itself passes through unique sights of special scientific interest due to the diversity of rare birds & plants that thrive in this environment… making it a nature lover’s dream.
Kayaking With Somerset Boat Centre
If you follow our blog already, you’ll know how much we love nature. We spend as much time outside as we possibly can & are firm believers in the sense of wellbeing that being on or in a body of water can bring.
Needless to say, we jumped at the chance to go on a midweek kayaking adventure with Somerset Boat Centre. We took my Step Dad along with us & it was the perfect way to spend a morning with family. Dragonflies & birds darted right over our kayaks & Adam even caught a glimpse of a Kingfisher, the whole experience was a slice of nature-filled bliss.
With prices starting at £16 per hour, Somerset Boat Centre has single & twin-seater Kayaks available to hire on a ‘turn up & paddle’ basis, however, prior booking is advised. Book your kayaking adventure with them now.
More Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Fun
Kayaking is not the only adventure that these guys offer on the Bridgwater & Taunton canal, there are loads more to choose from including skippered narrowboat trips, rowing boats, self-drive day boats, Canadian canoes, paddleboards as well as some awesome trips & cruises.
The boating centre in itself is a fabulous spot, newly renovated with a lovely onsite bar & a friendly & fabulous team. With pop-up cafes gracing their spot, live music evenings & even paddleboard yoga sessions, Pete & the team go that extra mile to keep their guests entertained in a beautiful setting.
Check out their Bridgwater & Taunton canal trips & other offerings on their website. A family business, the Somerset Boat Centre is also a recognised RYA training centre for water-related courses & they offer wheelchair-accessible boat trips.
You can also follow Somerset Boat Centre on Facebook & Instagram to keep up-to-date with their latest events.
Somerset is a gorgeous county in the South-West of England with the Bridgwater & Taunton canal being somewhat of a hidden gem. Bridgwater & Taunton are both large historic market towns with the surrounding countryside being a massive draw. The Somerset Levels cover an area of rough 160,000 acres in total & are bisected by the Polden Hills.
This area is rich in medieval history & boasts wildflower meadows, the UK’s smallest city, beach waterfalls, ancient wells, unique carvings & underground reservoirs. If you’re looking for a chilled UK getaway, Somerset is the place for you.
We would, of course, recommend spending some time on the Bridgwater & Taunton canal, whether that be by kayak or some other water-based means.
If you have any questions about anything we’ve recommended in this post, we’ll be happy to answer so please do leave us a comment or get in touch with us via email.
Kelly & Adam x
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about the wilder route...
In 2017 Kelly & Adam Peck embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever...
Equipped with a couple of second-hand bikes, they took a one-way flight to Havana, Cuba &, after a cycling escapade that took them over four hundred kilometres - through remote villages & untouched landscapes, the roots of The Wilder Route were firmly planted.
From there the adventure was destined to continue... this intrepid couple spent the next 10 months soaking up the vibrance of Mexico, hiking up volcanoes in Guatemala, taking in the wild scenery of Canada & experiencing the beauty & diversity of Colombia, before eventually returning to the UK.
With the feeling of exploration in their souls, Kelly & Adam knew that they wanted to build a life that brought them closer to nature, a life that made adventure part of their every day. Selling most of their belongings & packing the rest of what they owned into their tiny home on wheels, van life became the next step of their journey.
Since moving into their motorhome in 2018 (a Bessacar E560 named Barnaby) they have experienced many more magical moments, built their online business on the road & have even planned a wedding & said "I do" along the way.
Featured in publications such as Wanderlust Magazine & Housesitting Magazine & speaking at events such as Destinations Shows, Borderless Live & The Caravan & Motorhome Show about living a location-independent lifestyle - they are passionate about helping & inspiring others to explore, to connect with nature &, to live alternatively.
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