A Frosty Winter Walk to Sapperton Tunnel

There’s something magical about a winter walk, especially when frost covers the ground, transforming the landscape into a sparkling wonderland. Gabriel and I decided to make the most of a crisp winter afternoon by exploring the historic Sapperton Canal, with the impressive Sapperton Tunnel as our destination.

We parked at the Daneway Inn, a cozy pub tucked on the edge of the quiet village of Sapperton, Gloucestershire. With our scarves and gloves on, we set off along the canal path, the frosty air nipping at our noses as we crunched along the frozen grass and leaves. The canal path here is part of the Cotswold Canals, which have a fascinating history and a few hidden gems along the way.

Exploring the Sapperton Canal Path

This section of the canal was part of the Thames and Severn Canal, built in the late 18th century to connect the River Thames with the River Severn. Back in its day, it was a bustling waterway, carrying goods between London and the west of England. As we walked along the quiet path, it was easy to imagine the narrowboats that would have once traveled this route, laden with coal, wool, and other essential supplies. Today, the canal is largely disused, but there’s a real charm to its overgrown, quiet beauty, especially with the frost sparkling on the branches above and icy patterns forming on the water below.

Reaching the Sapperton Tunnel

After a brisk walk along the canal, we finally reached the entrance to the Sapperton Tunnel—a remarkable feat of engineering that holds a special place in the canal’s history. At just over two miles long, it was the longest canal tunnel in Britain when it was completed in 1789, and one of the longest in Europe. Walking up to its entrance, Gabriel and I were awed by its size and the dark, mysterious opening. The tunnel runs deep beneath the hills, and because it lacks a towpath inside, horses couldn’t pull the boats through. Instead, the boatmen had to “leg it,” lying on their backs and pushing the boat along with their legs!

Gabriel loved the idea of this unusual “legging” method, imagining himself as a canal boatman pushing his way through the dark tunnel. The thought sparked quite a few giggles as he tried to demonstrate his version of legging along the canal path.

A Frosty Finish

As we headed back to the Daneway Inn, the winter frost made everything around us sparkle, and Gabriel couldn’t resist stopping now and then to examine icy patches and frost-covered leaves. Our walk along the canal was filled with the quiet beauty of winter, and a hint of adventure that comes with exploring historic paths and old waterways.

By the time we returned to the car, our cheeks were rosy and our fingers a little chilly, but our spirits were high. We left with plans to return in warmer weather, maybe even to explore other sections of the canal. But for now, our frosty walk to Sapperton Tunnel was a perfect way to experience a bit of Gloucestershire’s history, and a winter’s afternoon well spent.