The base at Cowley is an interesting starting location, offering boaters a rare mix of urban and rural scenery. Starting from Cowley offers the opportunity to cruise into central London, or alternatively, away from the Capital through the beautiful Chiltern Hills. Little Venice, Regent's Park and London Zoo are all easily accessible from the canals. For a more rural escape, travel through the scenic countryside and visit the attractive villages and historic market towns such as King's Langley and Berkhamsted.
Ideal for family groups and groups of friends. Click for suggested routes.
The sample routes below are merely suggestions. The age and nature of our unique waterways means that there may occasionally be a need for planned or emergency restrictions or closures and therefore it cannot be guaranteed that every route will always be available.
Intermediate route: Cassiobury Park and Return – 27 miles, 30 locks, 16 hours total
Follow the relaxed route (above) to Rickmansworth, then continue north past Crowley Green to Cassiobury Park. Owned by the Earl of Essex during the 17th Century, these gardens and the adjoining parkland are very picturesque. Some of the trees are over 300 years old, including an ‘avenue of limes’. The park stretches over 190 acres and adjoins ancient Whippendell Wood – a site of special scientific interest. Cassiobury Park offers sports facilities, children’s attractions and two cafés (picnics welcome, BBQs are not allowed). Pass through the two Cassiobury Park Locks then turn around just before Lady Capel’s Lock (No. 74) to return to Packet Boat Marina, Cowley.
Active route: Limehouse Basin and Return – 49 miles, 24 locks, 21 hours total
Suitable for a midweek break. From our boatyard near Cowley Peachey Junction head south along the main line of the Grand Union Canal. At Bull’s Bridge Junction join the Paddington Arm to your left, heading east into central London. Cruise through Little Venice and moor up near Paddington Basin to visit Portobello Market, London Zoo & Regent’s Park. Continue through Maida Vale Tunnel (272 yards) and through Camden Lock. Just after King’s Cross, cruise through the Islington Tunnel (960 yards) underneath Pentonville Prison. At Limehouse Basin there are several waterside pubs and restaurants to choose from. Canary Wharf is only a 15 minute stroll away if you fancy a wander. Turn around and retrace your steps back to the boatyard.
Very Active route: Hemel Hempstead and Return - 37 miles, 52 locks, 24 hours total
Starting on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, travel east to Cowley Peachey Junction and head west joining the main line of the Grand Union Canal. Cruise through the first lock of the journey at Cowley and continue past several waterside pubs and eateries towards the town of Uxbridge. Denham Lock, the deepest lock on the Grand Union with a rise of 11ft 1 inch will soon be approaching; Denham itself is an interesting place to stop, with its quintessentially old English village and church with a Norman tower and Tudor monuments. Cruise through Harefield Moor and on through Rickmansworth, where there are some interesting 16th Century farm buildings close to Stocker’s Lock. Once through Croxley Green, the canal begins to meander increasingly on the way to King’s Langley where you will find an off-licence, a fish & chip shop and a delicatessen. Pass through several locks on the way to Hemel Hempsted, a modern new town with many pubs and eateries and excellent shops. There are several winding holes available to turn the boat ready for the return journey to base.
Very relaxed route: Limehouse Basin and Return – 49 miles, 24 locks, 21 hours total
This route gives you plenty of time to step off the boat, visit London attractions, eat out and look around. From our boatyard near Cowley Peachey Junction head south along the main line of the Grand Union Canal. At Bull’s Bridge Junction join the Paddington Arm to your left, heading east into central London. Cruise through Little Venice and moor up near Paddington Basin to visit Portobello Market, London Zoo & Regent’s Park. Continue through Maida Vale Tunnel (272 yards) and through Camden Lock. Just after King’s Cross, cruise through the Islington Tunnel (960 yards) underneath Pentonville Prison. At Limehouse Basin there are several waterside pubs and restaurants to choose from. Canary Wharf is only a 15 minute stroll away if you fancy a wander. Turn around here and retrace your steps all the way back to Cowley.
Relaxed route: Waltham Abbey and Return - 70 miles, 34 locks, 30 hours total
From the marina at Cowley, travel east to Cowley Peachey Junction, join the main line of the Grand Union Canal heading southeast. Continue on the Grand Union until it meets the Paddington Arm at Bull’s Bridge. Cruise through Southall; where there is an extensive, modern shopping centre, there are a couple of pubs and eateries situated either on the canal or a short walk from the towpath along this stretch. Once through Kensal Town Little Venice will be approaching, from here join onto the Regent’s Canal and cruise past the tree-lined towpath and beautiful Regency houses and on through the 272yd Maida Hill Tunnel. One of the most interesting parts of this route will follow after the tunnel, cruising through Regent’s Park and part of London Zoo on the approach to Camden Town. Tackle the first four locks of the journey and cruise on through the ½ mile long Islington Tunnel. Continue on the Regent’s Canal until you reach the Lee Navigation, cruise through Tottenham and Enfield, passing by a few canalside pubs and through a few more locks on the approach to Waltham Abbey. The suburban market town has plenty to explore, including Waltham Abbey itself, Abbey Church and Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills. Turn using one of the winding holes to start your return journey back to base.
Intermediate route: Berkhamsted and Return – 51 miles, 88 locks, 38 hours total
Starting on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, travel east to Cowley Peachey Junction and head north along main line of the Grand Union Canal. Cruise through the first lock at Cowley and past various waterside pubs and eateries, towards Uxbridge. Denham Lock, the deepest lock on the Grand Union with a rise of 11ft 1 inch will soon be approaching; Denham itself is an interesting place to stop, with its quintessentially old English village and church with a Norman tower and Tudor monuments. Cruise through Harefield Moor and on through Rickmansworth, where there are some interesting 16th Century farm buildings close to Stocker’s Lock. Once through Croxley Green, the canal begins to meander towards King’s Langley where you will find shops, pubs and takeaways on the main street. More locks follow on the way to Hemel Hempstead - a modern new town with quite a few pubs and shops. Ten wide locks and five canalside pubs dot the remaining route, the surroundings becoming more rural before you arrive at the attractive town of Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted has great facilities, some interesting architecture and lots of options for eating out.
Intermediate route: Limehouse Basin, Kings Langley and Return - 81 miles, 64 locks, 41 hours total
A lovely varied route into the heart of London and through the Chiltern Hills, with a nice city-country mix. At Cowley Peachey Junction head southeast onto the main line of the Grand Union, at Bull’s Bridge join onto the Paddington Arm. Cruise through Little Venice and moor up at the Paddington Basin to visit Portobello Market, London Zoo & Regent’s Park. Continue on towards Limehouse Basin, navigating the 12 locks on the way. At the basin there are several waterside pubs and eateries to choose from, and Canary Wharf is only a 15 minute stroll away. Turn at the basin to start the second part to the journey, cruise back onto the main line of the Grand Union and carry on past the Slough Arm. There will be more locks to navigate as the canal climbs steadily through the villages and countryside, passing pubs and restaurants frequently, providing places to stop if in need of refreshment. Denham and King’s Langley are attractive villages to visit, both with interesting Norman architecture. Continue onto bridge 157 to use the winding hole there to turn the boat for journey back to Cowley.
Active route: Marsworth Junction and Return - 59 miles, 104 locks, 44 hours total
Starting on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, travel east to Cowley Peachey Junction and head west joining the main line of the Grand Union Canal. Cruise through the first lock of the journey at Cowley and continue past several waterside pubs and eateries towards the town of Uxbridge. Denham Lock, the deepest lock on the Grand Union with a rise of 11ft 1 inch will soon be approaching; Denham itself is an interesting place to stop, with its quintessentially old English village and church with a Norman tower and Tudor monuments. Cruise through Harefield Moor and on through Rickmansworth, where there are some interesting 16th Century farm buildings close to Stocker’s Lock. Once through Croxley Green, the canal begins to meander increasingly on the way to King’s Langley where you will find an off-licence, a fish & chip shop and a delicatessen. From here the locks (and pubs) become more frequent as the canal climbs steeply through the Chiltern Hills on its way to Marsworth Junction. There are a couple of pubs at Sartop’s End just before the winding hole at Marsworth Junction, where you can turn the boat for the return journey.
