Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, runs from Friday 6^th to Sunday 15^th September.  As well as our canal walks, there’s a packed diary of over 30 open events to enjoy in and around Swindon.

Our ‘How canals connected Swindon’ guided tour will look at how the canal system linked Swindon to other parts of England and transformed a small market town into a prosperous industrial centre.  It’s an opportunity to walk along former canal routes through the town centre to Wichelstowe.

The guided walk is about two miles long and mainly flat.  It will end at the Dragonfly canal trip boat landing stage at Wichelstowe.  Here, you will find Waitrose and the Hall & Woodhouse pub, where you can have lunch or coffee.  Bus stops are close by for returning to the starting point.

Canal walks are being held on Saturdays 7^th and 14^th September at 11.00am and the meeting place is Pocket Park, Sheppard Street, Swindon SN1 1HH (at southern entrance to Sheppard Street underpass).  Pre-booking is preferred.  Please book your place with Gary Kenyon at gary.kenyon@wbct.org.uk or call 07853 085113.  For more details about the walk, click on https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/a-guided-tour-how-the-canals-connected-swindon.html

For more information about Heritage Open Days, click on https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/