Canal & River Trust – Explorers: Caen Hill Locks and Devizes Wharf
Photos of Canal & River Trust – Explorers: Caen Hill Locks and Devizes Wharf
What will students see and do?
The Kennet & Avon Canal opened in the early 19th century to link Bristol and London.
At this site in Wiltshire, pupils can visit Kennet & Avon Canal Museum, located in an old bonded warehouse, to learn the story of this important waterway.
Volunteers are also available to lead free learning activities at Devizes Wharf or Caen Hill Locks. These include interactive history and geography workshops.
Alternatively, you may want to take a guided walk along the towpath, learning about habitats and wildlife in the local area, or take part in a canal-side forest school event.
A boat trip can also be added to your visit, where pupils will experience travelling through a lock.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
Canal & River Trust staff can lead a number of different workshops to help children engage with the site. One option is a local history workshop for KS1 and KS2 pupils, looking at why the canal was built over 200 years ago. Children can dress up and handle artefacts that will help to bring history alive.
It’s also very easy to link this trip to lessons on conservation, the environment, biology and marine science. In summer, children can take part in pond dipping and minibeast hunting.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
There are numerous downloadable resources available on the Canal & River Trust website, including learning packs about canals, life on the English waterways and wildlife habitats.
There’s also a link to a film about how locks work, hosted on YouTube.
Minimum and maximum group size
Enquire with the team to discuss group size requirements for this visit.
Details of risk assessment
It is recommended by the Canal & River Trust that group leaders come for a pre-visit to complete their own risk assessment based on their school’s safety management protocols.
There is a guide risk assessment for you to use on the website.
The team can visit your school before your visit to lead a water safety assembly, and there are lots of water safety resources on the website for you to use with pupils.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
There’s a small gift shop and cafe on site. There are picnic benches available along the route of the canal.
Opening times
Get in touch with the team to discuss timings for your visit if you intend to take part in a workshop.
Pricing
Visiting this location is free. However, if you want to visit the museum there is a £1 charge per student. A boat trip on the canal costs £80 per class.
Travel arrangements
If arriving by coach you will need to park in the council’s pay and display car park.
Address
Caen Hill Locks, The Locks, Rowde, Devizes, Wiltshire
SN101EB
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