Bike Ride with Kids: Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Trail

The Gloucester and Sharpeness Canal path is a shared trail running 16 miles from Gloucester Docks to Sharpness near Berkely in Gloucestershire.

Cycle the flat, easy path past beautiful views of the Costswold scenery along this pretty section of the canal, all the way to the idilyic waterways of Saul Junction.

We will be doing the section from the Docks to Saul Junction, as this section is not too long for little legs and has the best surface for cycling, a mix of properly paved path and compacted gravel which is easy to ride on.

Cycling from Gloucester to Saul Junction

Distance: 8.2 miles

Time: 50 minutes (each way)

Traffic free? Yes

Parking: Southgate Moorings Car Park, Gloucester GL1 2DB

Start/ Finish: Gloucester Docks, GL1 2EH

Eat / drink: There are lots of options to choose from in Gloucester Docks at the beginning or end of the ride, or Saul Junction has a lovely Stables Cafe within the visitor centre. The Pilot Pub at Hardwicke, which is about halfway to Saul Junction, also serves food and drinks.

Facilities: Public toilets are available along the route at Gloucester Docks and Saul Junction. The Pilot Inn Pub near Hardwicke ( between Gloucesrer Docks and Saul Junction) also has toilets for customers.

On route:

After a short walk from the car park, head to Victoria Dock in the north east area of the main docks to join the canal path.

Follow the easy flat track all the way to Saul Junction, which is quite a pretty place on the water with lots of colourful narrow boats moored up in the marina. Saul Junction is home to the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitors Centre and the Stables Café.

Frampton on Severn is just a 5 minute cycle ride away from Saul Junction and a great place to visit if you fancy adding it on to your day. The Bell Inn at Frampton on Severn, just off the route, is also a good halfway place to stop before returning to Gloucester for a traditional country pub lunch. Frampton on Severn is also home to the stunning historic Frampton Court Manor House and Gardens, which is a private residence open for hire but the gardens are open to the public from 2-4pm Mondays and Fridays, 17th April – 24th July. It also holds a traditional country fair on the 8th September 2024.

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