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Llanthony Lift Bridge marks the exit from the docks to the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. The bridge is shut on weekdays from 08:20 to 09:00 and from 17:00 to 17:30. Be careful to observe the traffic lights even if the exit is clear, as the bridge sometimes requires several attempts to engage the locking mechanism.
Immediately below the bridge are a long line of pontoons on the W bank. There is a water point, waste disposal facility, and DIY-pumpout facility at the bridge end. The pumpout costs £10.00 and is operated by a ticket obtained from the lock-keeper or the BW office by the north entrance to the docks. There is plenty of time for a thorough pump and several flushes.
Beyond the waterpoint on the pontoons are long-term moorings. The far end are 48 hour visitor moorings, currently well-enforced. These moorings are quiet and safe.
The area opposite and behind the pontoons is being extensively rebuilt with shopping (primarily "factory outlet") and leisure facilities as the "Gloucester Quays" development. The first phase is due to open at Easter 2009. Behind the pontoons is the new Gloucester University building, and further down the canal more development is planned with offices, hotels, housing and a Sainsburys supermarket.
Until recently, there has been no towpath between Llanthony Bridge and Hempstead Bridge. However, a newly consructed path was opened in Spring 2002. A few boats do moor along this stretch, but it is not recommended. The path is well-covered with dog shit. (Note that the path near to the pontoons is currently diverted due to the building works).
Near the cinema, St Ann's Way Bridge is now open to serve the new developments on both sides of the canal. This is a lift bridge with 4.5 m air draft. The bridge was opened in November 2008. Mooring behind the cinema is possible but not recommended.
As one goes down towards Hempstead Bridge, one passes a few industrial units and a series of timber yards, once served by the canal. The W bank is rather derelict: the huge concrete grain silo built in WWII is now demolished and the site is being redeveloped, followed by Monk Meadow Dock. Much of this area is being redeveloped for housing. Beyond Monk Meadow, there is a timber yard and then some tree-lined banks which are home to plenty of kingfishers. In times gone by, there used to be a large timber pond here, where floating logs were marshalled.
Just to the North of Hemstead Bridge, the remains of the abutments of a former bridge can be seen next to the canal. This carried the railway line to the extensive sidings and loading points which once served the docks and the timber industries on the outskirts of Gloucester. The remains of some of the lines can still be seen in the wild area near Llanthony weir and outside the Waterways Museum in the docks.
Hempstead swing bridge is about a mile below the docks. It is now traffic-free other than for pedestrians and cyclists. Be careful of boats from the rowing club just below the bridge (soon to be relocated to the opposite bank). There are a variety of businesses on the E bank, with the busy A38 just beyond. The Gulf petrol station next to the canal has just re-opened and has a fuelling pontoon for petrol and diesel, and a convenience store. Lucas components have a canalside store and workshop just beyond (good for diesel injector gear and auto electrics). A&D Marine have a dry dock and chandlery, although access for the shop is usually easiest by tying up opposite and crossing the bridge. There is also a caravan suppliers close to the bridge.
There is a stall selling excellent value breakfasts and burgers Monday - Saturday on the canalside between the RAC windscreen centre and Hewden Plant Hire, about 500 m below Hempsted Bridge. Well worth a stop! Look for the yellow trailer. Mooring is easy.
The west bank below Hempstead Bridge is pleasant, green and open. At the end of the long straight, the canal has been diverted at two-mile bend. The new Netheridge Swing Bridge opened in May 2007 and carries the SW bypasss. It has 4.7 m air draft. The nearby sewage works can usually be smelt. The A38 is left behind, and the canal takes on a more rural aspect, despite passing through the vast suburb of Quedgeley.
The next bridge to be reached is Sims. The bridge-keeper's hut has recently been refurbished and is on the E bank. This, and the next two bridges, are low enough to be passed without opening by boats designed for canals.
Beyond Sims bridge is a short straight with Rea Bridge at the end. This bridge is convenient for accessing the large Tescos store at Quedgeley, about five minutes walk to the E (cross the canal, E along Elmore Lane (West) and (East), fork right onto the footpath just past the primary school to Coopers Orchard, turn left into Gloucester Road and Tescos is opposite and to the left). There are also a few, mostly uninspiring, pubs near here, and close to the large intersection between the A38 and the ring road is a MacCraps and a few other fast food outlets. N of Tescos is a large Indian restaurant (formerly the Chinese restaurant, Rubys). Reports are awaited. The Little Thatch is close to Tescos on the Bristol Road and does good beer and reasonable food.
The next bridge, Sellars, is a mile or so further on. The countryside to the west is fairly open, with views across to the hills beyond the Severn. May Hill is prominent with its clump of trees on the summit. To the west lies more of the vast Quedgeley housing estate, largely screened from the canal by bushes. Just before Sellars bridge is a large winding hole formerly used by tankers using the oil terminal opposite. This is now redeveloped as housing.
On the E bank before the bridge are permanent and visitor moorings, with a water point. This is a good place to tie up for the Pilot Inn just past the bridge, as the banks beyond the bridge are steep and often used by fishermen. The Pilot was until recently a chain pub with an uninspiring reputation for food, service and beer. It has changed ownership a few times since then, and has a better reputation.
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Below Sellars bridge the canal passes through a pleasant cutting with dense tree-cover on the E bank. Turtles are present in the canal here (I haven't seen them since 2005 - are they still there?) and can often be seen basking in the sun on semi-submerged branches at the edge. At the end of the cutting lies the remains of Hardwick bridge, which was demolished in the early 1980s. The bridgekeeper's cottage is still there, with well tended gardens on the base of the bridge opposite. From here on, there are few roads crossing the canal. The Severn lies a mile or so to the W, and the A38 is over a mile to the E.