Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Coventry and Return - 38 miles, 2 locks, 16 hours total
Cliton-on-Dunsmore is located just South of Rugby. Start your journey by joining the North Oxford Canal and cruise in a north westerly direction to Newbold on Avon, which is approximately 2 miles away. There are a choice of pubs close to the moorings here before you pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yds in length). Continuing your cruise north, you pass through tranquil farmland and under a few bridges, whilst you adjust to this slow winding waterway. Brinklow is situated 25 minutes away from the waterway if you fancy stretching your legs. As you continue your cruise towards Coventry, you follow the railway for a short stretch, passing under iron arched bridges which mark the course of the old Oxford Canal. Ansty is a tiny village located along the canal, with a waterfront pub. The first signs of the city start to appear as you make your way to Hawkesbury Junction. At the junction you cruise onto the Coventry Canal, through the only lock along this route and the last waterfront pub until you reach Coventry which is approximately 5 miles away. Pass Bishop Street Basin, overlooked by attractive old warehouses dating from 1914, making your way into Coventry. The canal is often flanked by buildings as it winds its way towards Coventry Basin, where you can moor to explore the area before making your way back to the marina.
Intermediate route: Crick and Return - 36 miles, 32 locks, 19 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a southerly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, then just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. Skirting around Barby Hill through open fields the canal shortly arrives at Braunston Turn, cruise west and pass under the town, where there are pubs and shops within walking distance, up the hill. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards in length) and the next junction. Cruise north at Norton Junction, onto the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The canal becomes quite winding as it makes it way to Foxton, past a light wooded stretch with the sounds of transportation ever present in the background. Navigate through the Watford Locks and reach the summit level of 412ft. Cruise through Crick Tunnel (1528 yards in length) to arrive at Crick Wharf. You can walk to the town for a meal (15 mins) before turning around and making your journey back.
Active route: Fenny Compton and Return - 50 miles, 24 locks, 23 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a southerly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three narrow locks at Hillmorton, then just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. A few miles south of Hillmorton, the canal reaches Braunston Turn - the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals and once one of the busiest commercial trading points linking with London. Cruise east through agricultural land to Napton Junction which will take you onto the South Oxford Canal past Napton-on-the-Hill. Canal engineer James Brindley built the Oxford Canal in his typical winding fashion, flowing around contours to stay sympathetic to the land. Follow the canal past Folly Bridge where there is a shop for picking up basic provisions and a pub before you make your way through the 9 Napton Locks. You can moor at either bridge 124 or 125 and walk into the small village of Priors Hardwick. The canal then arks it way through farmland, and there is another opportunity to stretch your legs at bridge 133, where you can walk into the medieval village of Wormleighton. Fenny Compton Wharf is just 2 miles further along the canal, there is a waterfront pub and moorings should you wish to explore the area before making your return journey.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Snarestone and Return - 77 miles, 2 locks, 31 hours total
This route can be completed in a relaxed 7 night break (or a shorter midweek break cruising approximately 8 - 9 hours a day or over). It is a great introduction to boating if you are looking for a route with very few locks. Start your journey by cruising for 2 miles in a northerly direction to Newbold-on-Avon. Thereare two pubs close to the moorings here before you pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yds in length). Continuing your cruise, you pass through tranquil farmland and under a few bridges, whilst you adjust to this slow winding waterway. Brinklow is situated 25 minutes' walk from the waterway, if you fancy stretching your legs. As you continue your cruise, you follow the railway for a short stretch, passing iron arched bridges which mark the course of the old Oxford Canal. Ansty is a tiny village located along the canal, with a waterfront pub. There are signs of Coventry as you make your way to Hawkesbury Junction. Cruise north to continue on the Coventry Canal away from the city, until you reach Marston Junction then cruise east onto the Ashby Canal. The outlook becomes largely fields, trees and farmland, there are no locks but interesting stone-arched bridges, far removed from the suburban landscapes on the Coventry Canal. The southern section of the Ashby Canal is very rural, so it's a good idea to have provisions to snack on. There are a few pubs at Hinkley before you make your way to Stoke Golding passing under pretty stone bridges, then a little farm shop with local produce nearby. Follow the canal past Ambion Wood. Just before the Shenton Aqueduct there are moorings for the Battlefied Centre and the Battle of Bosworth Field is situated nearby. You are only 8 miles from the farming village of Snarestone, where there is a pub and tunnel before you reach the end of the navigation. Turn around and make your return journey back to the marina.
Intermediate route: Banbury and Return - 72 miles, 48 locks, 36 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a southerly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate the three narrow locks at Hillmorton, then just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. A few miles south of Hillmorton, the canal reaches Braunston Turn - the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals and once one of the busiest commercial trading points linking with London. Cruise east through agricultural land to Napton Junction which will take you onto the South Oxford Canal past Napton-on-the-Hill. Canal engineer James Brindley built the Oxford Canal in his typical winding fashion, flowing around contours to stay sympathetic to the land. Follow the canal past Folly Bridge where there is a shop for picking up basic provisions and a pub before you make your way through the 9 locks. You can moor at either bridge 124 or 125 and walk into the small village of Priors Hardwick. The canal then arks it way through farmland, and there is another opportunity to stretch your legs at bridge 133, where you can walk into the medieval village of Wormleighton. Fenny Compton Wharf is just 2 miles along where there is a waterfront pub. The landscape is predominately rolling hills with light wooded stretches as you follow the narrow winding course of the waterway. Passing through Claydon locks you enter the Cherwell Valley leading to Cropredy, where the quiet stone village flanks the canal to the east. Banbury is just a few miles further along, originally a wool town, there are now some historic sites, shopping opportunities and places to eat before you turn the boat to return to the marina.
Active route: Market Harborough and Return - 84 miles, 52 locks, 42.5 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a southerly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three narrow locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. Skirting around Barby Hill through open fields the canal shortly arrives at Braunston Turn. Cruise west, passing below the town where there are shops and pubs within walking distance. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards in length) and the next junction. Cruise north at Norton Junction, onto the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The canal becomes quite winding as it makes it way to Foxton, past a light wooded stretch with the sounds of transportation ever present in the background. Navigate through the Watford Locks to reach the summit level of 412ft. Cruise through Crick Tunnel (1528 yarrds in length) to arrive at Crick Wharf. The canal loops past hilly landscape and under several brick bridges with little sign of habitation until you reach North Kilworth, where you can walk into the village for a pub meal. Returning to the boat, continue cruising in a northerly direction through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166 yards in length) before returning to unspoilt rural cruising towards Foxton. The Foxton Locks are two staircases of five locks, there is a picnic area, a coffee shop and pub - making it a popular attraction with plenty of gongoozlers! After the locks cruise east on to the Market Harborough Arm which runs alongside the hills. There are visitor moorings at Market Harborough so you can moor-up and explore the market town before turning around and making your return journey.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Warwickshire Ring - 104 miles, 121 locks, 60 hours total
The Warwickshire Ring is a 100 mile contrasting route of scenery, history and canal architecture. It includes the northern Grand Union, North Oxford, Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry Canals. Highlights along the Warwickshire Ring include Warwick Castle, which is well worth a day trip if you have time. Other family activities include Cadbury World, Kingsbury Water Park and Drayton Manor Family Theme Park, which is approximately a 15 minute walk from the canal if you moor by Drayton Manor Bridge. We would recommend cruising clockwise to complete the Hatton Flight near Warwick first, then on your journey back you have fewer locks to navigate, if you need to make up time.
Intermediate route: Oxford and Return - 126 miles, 82 locks, 67 hours total
A popular choice for those looking for a longer break with fewer locks. Leaving the marina, cruise south to Braunston Turn then west through the pretty countryside to Napton Junction and onto the South Oxford Canal. This canal offers views of wooded hills and farmland, along with hedge lined towpaths. Drift past fields of cattle and sheep, twisting and turning with the canal to Cropredy, a quiet village with old brick houses and a couple of pubs. Leaving the village behind, cruise along the Cherwell Valley to Banbury town and then the smaller Cotswolds villages of Somerton, Lower Heyford and Thrupp. Oxford City is just south of Duke's Cut (where the canal meets the River Thames). There are moorings close to the end of the navigation near Isis Lock.
Active route: Aylesbury and Return - 139 miles, 114 locks, 70 hours total
Cruise down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston and then head west along the Grand Union Canal, passing south of Braunston, where there are shops and pubs within walking distance. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards in length) followed by Norton Junction. Cruise straight ahead, veering southwards, to make your way through a flight of 7 locks on the Grand Union Canal. There is a quiet stretch as you cruise past the woods at Brockhall Park until you reach Weedon Bridge, where there are a couple of pubs. Cruise through agricultural land to Gayton Junction and the village of Blisworth, you are now on the way to the Blisworth Tunnel (approximately an hours' cruise from the marina). The Blisworth Tunnel is 3057 yards long - making it one of the longest tunnels open for navigation in Britain. After successfully navigating this tunnel, you reach the pretty canalside town of Stoke Bruerne, which has a waterfront museum and a selection of eateries. Through the locks at Stoke Bruerne, cruise through varied scenery and under stone bridges to Cosgrove and the Great Ouse Aqueduct. Continuing to follow the canal southwards, you skirt the suburbs of Milton Keynes towards Leighton Buzzard. At Marsworth Junction you join the Aylesbury Arm which takes you into the centre of this lovely market town, where you can stretch your legs and explore before turning around to make your return journey to the marina.
