The Kennet and Avon canal runs for 86 miles linking the Thames with the Bristol Channel. The Great Western Railway opened in 1841 taking away a lot of traffic from the canal, and the Kennet and Avon eventually became unusable. British Waterways became responsible for the canal in 1963 and a restoration programme was now possible, the canal was restored in 1990. The tow path can be picked up at various points in Newbury including Victoria Park and beside the Lock Stock and Barrel pub on Northbrook Street.
