Gloucester Docks &
the Sharpness Canal

Access to the Canal Bank

The former towpath runs the whole length of the west bank of the canal and can be accessed by pedestrians and cyclists at each of the bridges. This page provides information about convenient parking facilities at each bridge, and warnings are given about any known temporary obstructions along the towpath. Warning: the satellite map links are not suitable for those using slow internet connection speeds.
 

1. Llanthony Bridge, Gloucester
     There is a pay-and-display car park in Southgate St overlooking the Victoria Dock. (Satellite map)

1a. High Orchard Bridge, Gloucester
     There is a car park in the Gloucester Quays designer outlet centre on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

2. Hempsted Bridge
     There is no provision for parking near the bridge, but it is usually possible to find a space on the west side now that the bridge is no longer open to vehicles. (Satellite map)

3. Netheridge Bridge, Quedgeley
      While there is no provision for parking close to the bridge, it is possible to find spaces in the nearby side roads. (Satellite map)

4. Sims Bridge, Quedgeley
     There is a very small unofficial car park on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

5. Rea Bridge, Quedgeley
     There is a car park on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

6. Sellars Bridge, Hardwicke
     There is limited unofficial parking on either side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

7. Parkend Bridge, Moreton Valence
     There is limited unofficial parking alongside the road on the west side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

8. Sandfield Bridge for Saul Junction
     From the west side of this bridge, there is access to the excellent pay-and-display car park beyond the public toilets and close to Saul Junction. Before the toilets, there is time-limited parking for those visiting the Stables Cafe. (Satellite map) The postcode is GL2 7LA.

9. Fretherne Bridge, Frampton
     There is a small public car park on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

10. Splatt Bridge, Frampton
     There is a small public car park on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

11. Cambridge Arms Bridge
     There is very limited unofficial parking on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

12. Patch Bridge, Slimbridge
     There is parking for customers of the Slimbridge Boat Station and the Tudor Arms, but otherwise there are only a few unofficial spaces on the east side of the bridge. (Satellite map)

13. Purton Upper and Lower Bridges
     There is an excellent public car park to the south of Purton Upper Bridge and limited unofficial parking on the north side of Purton Lower Bridge. (Satellite map)

14. Sharpness Old Dock
     The dock estate is private property, but there is usually pedestrian access to the Old Dock and the towpath from the square flat area used for unofficial parking to the west of the Low Level Bridge, reached by turning right at the mini-roundabout at the entrance to the estate from the B4066. (Satellite map)

15. Sharpness Entrance
     There is an excellent public car park and picnic site on the south side of the entrance to Sharpness New Dock, reached by turning left at the mini-roundabout at the entrance to the estate from the B4066. (Satellite map, postcode GL13 9UE) From the picnic site, large ships may be seen entering and leaving around the time of high tide. For expected shipping movements, see the River Severn Tales website.

Map image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service and reproduced by kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.