Local Attractions in Taunton – Bridgwater and Taunton Canal at Bathpool

When it comes to exploring the picturesque surroundings of Taunton, few places captivate the charm and tranquillity quite like the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal at Bathpool. With Berrys Coaches providing seamless travel solutions to various destinations, this canal offers our passengers a delightful spot to unwind and immerse themselves in natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in a peaceful walk, a leisurely boat trip, or simply seeking a serene landscape for contemplation, Bathpool delivers all that and more.

Located conveniently close to the bustling heart of Taunton, the canal is a well-loved treasure among locals and tourists alike. It serves not only as a reminder of the area’s rich industrial heritage but also as a thriving hub for wildlife and recreation in the modern day. From bird watchers to cyclists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy by the waterways of Bathpool.

Upon arriving in Taunton via Berrys Coaches, passengers disembark at the main town drop-off point at the Kings Arms Taunton Click to open side panel for more information / Elms Parade stop on Staplegrove Road. The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Click to open side panel for more information section at Bathpool is located roughly 2.2 miles east of this central drop-off point. A short taxi ride takes about 8 to 10 minutes, while cycling along the dedicated paths takes around 12 to 15 minutes.

If walking, the 2.2-mile journey takes about 40 to 45 minutes on foot. Exit the drop-off area onto Staplegrove Road and head southeast toward Bridge Street. Turn left onto Bridge Street to cross the River Tone, then take a right onto Station Road/A3027. Continue heading east onto Priorswood Road (A358), then follow Priorswood Road directly east into Bathpool, where signposts will guide you down to the canal towpath and basin.

Opened in 1827, the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Click to open side panel for more information was built to bypass the unreliable, winding navigation of the River Tone, establishing a vital commercial artery connecting the port of Bridgwater with inland Somerset. At its peak during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, the canal saw heavy commercial traffic, carrying coal, timber, iron ore, and locally manufactured bricks across the region.

However, the canal played an even more dramatic role during World War II, when it was integrated into the Taunton Stop Line—a crucial defensive barrier designed to halt a potential German invasion of Southwest England. To fortify the line, military engineers constructed concrete pillboxes, tank traps, and anti-tank bollards along the banks near Bathpool, many of which remain intact and visible along the towpath today.

By the mid-20th century, commercial barge traffic had completely ceased, leaving the waterway neglected and threatened with closure. In the 1980s and 1990s, extensive restoration efforts by local trusts and local authorities repaired the locks, bridges, and aqueducts. Today, the canal is a designated nature reserve and leisure haven, offering visitors an unbroken, historic towpath for walking, cycling, and boating through Somerset’s rich industrial and wartime heritage.