Kennet and Avon Canal Museum

The canal museum sits right on the Kennet and Avon Canal itself, just outside Calne, and tells the story of one of England's most important waterway routes. You'll find exhibits about the barges that once hauled goods across the country, the lock keepers who managed the system, and what life was actually like for the families living on the water. It's a modest space - don't expect grand galleries - but the displays are genuinely interesting, especially if you've got any interest in industrial history or 19th-century working life.

The real appeal, though, is the setting. You can wander along the towpath before or after visiting, watch the narrowboats pass through, and get a proper sense of how this canal still functions today. History buffs will appreciate the detail; families with young children might find an hour is enough, unless the kids are really into boats. Walkers should definitely make this a stop on a longer canal-side ramble.

It's free to visit and only open Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 10am to 2pm, so plan accordingly. If you're staying at any of the nearby glamping sites - Mill Farm or Honey Bee are closest at just over 3 miles away - it makes for a relaxed morning out before heading to Blackland Lakes or one of the Devizes camping spots. The canal itself is the real draw; the museum just adds context to what you're seeing around you.