Guided Walks Programme - Summer 2024
The Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society are once again putting on a series of monthly walks throughout the Summer and we invite the public to join us in discovering the history of the canal and other transport links between Great Torrington and the Torridge estuary.
Sunday 12th May ANNERY KILN TO RIDD INCLINED PLANE - Walk Leader: Tony Nicholls
Starting from Annery Kiln by Halfpenny Bridge on the Bideford to Weare Giffard road, see the site where tub-boats were hauled up an incline from the river level to the canal summit level. Part of the underground water-wheel chamber is visible beside the Tarka Trail. In spring orchids and other wild flowers abound in the dry canal basin. Distance less than 2 miles. Please note that the route includes 100 metres walking over rough meadow grass which may be wet after rain. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 12th May at Annery Kiln.
Sunday 9th June ROSEMOOR BASIN, DARKHAM WEIR & LIME KILNS - Walk Leader: Michael Elliott
Starting from the end of the new extended car park at RHS Rosemoor Gardens near Great Torrington, this is an opportunity to walk beyond the public gardens through attractive woodland to Darkham Weir on the River Torridge from where the waters to feed the Rolle Canal were taken. Then follow the Mill Leat to the recently cleared Canal Basin, effectively the terminus of the Rolle Canal. Here the old lime kilns can be seen as well as the foundations of a Tucking Mill. (Rosemoor operates a strict no-dogs policy). Length about 2 and a half miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Sunday 9th June at the far end of the main RHS Rosemoor car park.
Saturday 6th July SEA LOCK AND THE CANAL MUSEUM - Walk Leader: Adrian Wills
From the temporary car park next to the Annery Lime-kilns walk along the canal to Sea Lock. This is an opportunity to see the restoration work on the lock where in the nineteenth century river barges could enter the canal basin from the tidal Torridge estuary. A specially constructed traditional canal-side building houses an archive of photographs and canal artifacts. Distance less than 2 miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Saturday 6th July at Annery Kiln.
Sunday 11th August STAPLE VALE / BEAM AQUEDUCT - Walk Leader: Ian Harrison
Start from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station Inn) and follow the Tarka Trail (old railway line) to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the tow-path leads to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and on to the iconic Aqueduct over the River Torridge. Subject to the agreement of the landowner on the way back we will drop down from the Tarka Trail to return to the Puffing Billy via the bed of the canal through Staple Vale. Length a little over 2 miles. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 11th August at the Puffing Billy car-park.
Sunday 1st September TADDIPORT AND TORRINGTON COMMONS - Walk Leaders: Mickey Reynolds & Ian Harrison
The headquarters of the Rolle Canal Company was at Taddiport and several associated buildings and structures can be seen here. From the entrance of the old milk factory, the route proceeds along the "Rolle Road", a bridleway which is actually the fairly intact bed of the Rolle Canal, through Torrington Commons. Then, via the back street "ginnels" off Mill Street, down to the beautiful Torridge-side meadows and back to Taddiport Bridge. A fascinating mixture of nature, past industrial sites, proposed developments and efforts to safeguard ecology. Length about 2 miles. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 1st September at the entrance to the old milk factory at Taddiport.
Individuals take part at their own risk and must take responsibility for their own safety at all times. The income from the small charge of £2 per person on the guided walks makes a valuable contribution to the Society's work in improving access along the canal and providing interpretation of the major features.
Stout footwear is recommended. Please note that dogs, even on leads, are discouraged. More details will be published on the society’s website at www.rollecanalsociety.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/rollecanal
If you need any further information please email the Chairman, Ian Harrison: halehillfarm@gmail.com
Sunday 12th May ANNERY KILN TO RIDD INCLINED PLANE - Walk Leader: Tony Nicholls
Starting from Annery Kiln by Halfpenny Bridge on the Bideford to Weare Giffard road, see the site where tub-boats were hauled up an incline from the river level to the canal summit level. Part of the underground water-wheel chamber is visible beside the Tarka Trail. In spring orchids and other wild flowers abound in the dry canal basin. Distance less than 2 miles. Please note that the route includes 100 metres walking over rough meadow grass which may be wet after rain. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 12th May at Annery Kiln.
Sunday 9th June ROSEMOOR BASIN, DARKHAM WEIR & LIME KILNS - Walk Leader: Michael Elliott
Starting from the end of the new extended car park at RHS Rosemoor Gardens near Great Torrington, this is an opportunity to walk beyond the public gardens through attractive woodland to Darkham Weir on the River Torridge from where the waters to feed the Rolle Canal were taken. Then follow the Mill Leat to the recently cleared Canal Basin, effectively the terminus of the Rolle Canal. Here the old lime kilns can be seen as well as the foundations of a Tucking Mill. (Rosemoor operates a strict no-dogs policy). Length about 2 and a half miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Sunday 9th June at the far end of the main RHS Rosemoor car park.
Saturday 6th July SEA LOCK AND THE CANAL MUSEUM - Walk Leader: Adrian Wills
From the temporary car park next to the Annery Lime-kilns walk along the canal to Sea Lock. This is an opportunity to see the restoration work on the lock where in the nineteenth century river barges could enter the canal basin from the tidal Torridge estuary. A specially constructed traditional canal-side building houses an archive of photographs and canal artifacts. Distance less than 2 miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Saturday 6th July at Annery Kiln.
Sunday 11th August STAPLE VALE / BEAM AQUEDUCT - Walk Leader: Ian Harrison
Start from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station Inn) and follow the Tarka Trail (old railway line) to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the tow-path leads to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and on to the iconic Aqueduct over the River Torridge. Subject to the agreement of the landowner on the way back we will drop down from the Tarka Trail to return to the Puffing Billy via the bed of the canal through Staple Vale. Length a little over 2 miles. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 11th August at the Puffing Billy car-park.
Sunday 1st September TADDIPORT AND TORRINGTON COMMONS - Walk Leaders: Mickey Reynolds & Ian Harrison
The headquarters of the Rolle Canal Company was at Taddiport and several associated buildings and structures can be seen here. From the entrance of the old milk factory, the route proceeds along the "Rolle Road", a bridleway which is actually the fairly intact bed of the Rolle Canal, through Torrington Commons. Then, via the back street "ginnels" off Mill Street, down to the beautiful Torridge-side meadows and back to Taddiport Bridge. A fascinating mixture of nature, past industrial sites, proposed developments and efforts to safeguard ecology. Length about 2 miles. Meet at 2:30 pm on Sunday 1st September at the entrance to the old milk factory at Taddiport.
Individuals take part at their own risk and must take responsibility for their own safety at all times. The income from the small charge of £2 per person on the guided walks makes a valuable contribution to the Society's work in improving access along the canal and providing interpretation of the major features.
Stout footwear is recommended. Please note that dogs, even on leads, are discouraged. More details will be published on the society’s website at www.rollecanalsociety.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/rollecanal
If you need any further information please email the Chairman, Ian Harrison: halehillfarm@gmail.com