Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Foxton Locks and Return - 11 miles, 20 locks, 9.5 hours total
Depart the boatyard, cruising west along the Market Harborough Arm and through the hilly, wooded landscape that lays to the south of the waterway. Foxton village appears shortly before the next junction, should you wish to stop off at the waterfront pub there. The site of the Foxton 'Inclined Plane Boat Lift' and its museum is next to the village and locks. Cruise south from Foxton Junction, along the Grand Union Canal's Leicester Line, you'll immediately reach the first of two flights of 5 locks. The Foxton Locks are the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canals, built in 1813 they take approximately 45 minutes to navigate and reach 75ft at the summit. There is a coffee shop, pub and picnic area by the locks - making it a popular attraction, with plenty of onlookers! You can turn around just after the locks, after taking a short breather, to make your return journey at a leisurely pace.
Intermediate route: North Kilworth and Return - 24 miles, 20 locks, 14.5 hours total
Make your way on to the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line to Foxton Locks (detailed above) and cruise south through this popular waterway attraction - with pubs, cafe and museum. The canal enters pretty rural countryside as it bends to the east, approaching Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166yds in length). You can moor just before the tunnel and walk into the small village from Honey Pot Farm Bridge no 46. North Kilworth Wharf is just a mile further south along the canal, where you can turn around to make your return journey back to Market Harborough.
Active route: Kilby Bridge and Return - 30 miles, 24 locks, 17 hours total
Cruise along the Market Harborough Arm to the Grand Union Leicester Line and cruise north at the junction through wooded scenery. Navigate your way through Saddington Tunnel (880yds in length). On the northern side of the tunnel the landscape opens into pretty fields including Wistow Park. The canal becomes similar to a river here - quite wide but quite shallow at times, so take care when passing other boaters. There are plenty of bridges along this stretch but no locks until you reach Wistow. To stretch your legs, moor at bridge 78 and walk to the Wistow Rural Centre, where there is a garden centre, maze, cafe and a model village. There are 7 locks between here and Kilby Bridge. The small village of Newton Harcourt is just visible amidst the fields to the north. There is a canalside pub just before the turning point at Kilby Bridge to start making your way back to the wharf.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Crick and Return - 52 miles, 20 locks, 25.5 hours total
Make your way along the Market Harborough Arm to the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line and the Foxton locks (detailed in the short break route above) then cruise south through the popular waterway attraction - with pubs, cafe and museum. The canal enters rural countryside, far from any form of habitation, as it bends to the east, approaching Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166yds in length). You can moor just before the tunnel and walk into the small village from Honey Pot Farm Bridge no 46 if you wish. North Kilworth Wharf is just a mile further south along the canal, breaking up the rural cruising route. Heading south down the canal you'll pass the Welford arm, completed in 1814, should you wish to explore. At the end of the Welford Arm is a turning point and a public footpath into the village. Continuing south, the canal becomes quite winding as you make your way past wooded hills with views over the Avon Valley, puttering under red brick bridges. There are no locks to slow your progress as you make your way to Crick Wharf, with the village within walking distance. Cruise through Crick Tunnel (1528 yards) and turn around approximately a mile south of the exit to make your return journey.
Intermediate route: Braunston Junction and Return - 66 miles, 46 locks, 33 hours total
Follow the relaxed route above but extend it a little to include a traditional canal village. Continue south after passing through Crick Tunnel, then navigate the Watford 'staircase locks' and cruise to Norton Junction (with the Grand Union Canal mainline). Turn to the right at Norton Junction, heading west through the long Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards) which can take two-way traffic. Negotiate the 6 wide locks at Braunston before mooring up and walking into this pretty village, which offers 4 pubs (2 canalside) and some local shops. Bypassing Braunston Marina, turn around at the junction where you'll find an impressive cast iron bridge, then make your return to Market Harborough.
Intermediate route: Loughborough and Return - 79 miles, 70 locks, 43 hours total
Cruise west along the Market Harborough Arm to the Grand Union Leicester Line, turning right to cruise north at the junction, through wooded scenery. Navigate your way through Saddington Tunnel (880yds in length) and on the northern side of the tunnel the landscape opens to pretty fields including Wistow Park. The canal becomes similar to a river here, the waterway is fairly wide and can be quite shallow in places. There is a mixture of bridges along this stretch but no locks until you reach Wistow. To stretch your legs, moor at bridge 78 and walk to the Wistow Rural Centre where there is a garden centre, maze, cafe and a model village. There are 7 locks between here and Kilby Bridge, with the small village of Newton Harcourt scattered amongst the fields to the north. As you leave the village behind, signs of the city of Leicester start to appear offering suburban landscapes as you pass through the bridges and locks at Wigston. The canal takes a large bend around Glen Parva continuing into the city through the Soar valley. Be aware of tides on the River along this stretch as the canal and river join, entering the city centre. The waterway is overlooked by a variety of buildings as you pass under ornamental bridges - Leicester is easily accessed by the moorings at Castle Gardens. Highlights including Abbey Park, the National Space Centre and Belgrave Hall & Gardens as well as a multitude of shops and eateries. Birstall is another mooring opportunity, just north of all the hustle and bustle. Passing Watermead Country Park you weave along with the River Soar where it re-joins the canal at the village of Cossington. There are historic water mills and waterfront pubs as you make your way to the popular moorings at Mountsorrel. Cruise under a historic red brick railway bridge and through a wooded stretch past Pilling's Flood Lock arching over Loughborough were the canal finally meets the Loughborough Navigation at the T-junction. You can turn the boat to return home in one of the many marinas along this stretch.
Active route: Warwick and Return - 105 miles, 96 locks, 57 hours total
Depart the marina, cruising along the Market Harborough Arm then left onto the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, cruising south and making your way through the 10 Foxton Locks. After this you cruise through peaceful uninterrupted countryside. Pass through the tunnel at Husbands Bosworth and on past the villages of Welford and Crick, both of which have a couple of pubs to stop at for refreshments. Cruise along Crick Tunnel before travelling through the Watford Locks. At Norton Junction head west (right) and cruise towards Braunston. Before arriving at the attractive village, you’ll have to cruise through the Braunston Tunnel, the longest on your journey at 2042yds. Continue through the Braunston lock flight of 6 before mooring in the village.Continue west through agricultural land to Napton Junction where you wil turn right, navigating north east to continue cruising along the Grand Union Canal. There are 10 locks to navigate between Stockton and Long Itchington, where there are canalside pubs, or you can walk into the village for a meal. The landscape is broken up by old quarries which produced the local stone of Blue Lias. Continue cruising to Warwick past the Bascote staircase locks which are overlooked by a pretty toll house. This stretch is often interrupted by a lock or bridge, a further four locks take you to Leamington Spa and over the River Avon on two aqueducts before passing the northern side of Warwick. You can turn the boat on the Saltisford Arm and moor near one of the bridges to walk into central Warwick. Its approximately a 30 minute walk to Warwick Castle, which you might wish to take some time to explore if you have the chance before making your return journey!
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Coventry and Return - 123 miles, 54 locks, 59 hours total
An interesting and varied route involving a good mix of locks, tunnels and aqueducts. Travel through beautiful Northamptonshire and Warwickshire countryside navigating the Foxton Locks and cruising down the Grand Union Canal. Continue past the villages of Husbands Bosworth, North Kilworth and Crick. The next set of locks will be the Watford flight of 7 and after that you’ll reach Norton Junction, where you head west towards Braunston. Pass through wooded countryside until you come to the long tunnel at Braunston and continue through the flight of 6 locks. At Braunston Turn, join the North Oxford Canal and travel through rural, wide open farmland and countryside making your way through the 3 locks at Hillmorton. After Hillmorton you’ll cruise onto Rugby, where there are plenty of pubs and a supermarket. Continue to Hawkesbury Junction and take the Coventry arm to the left, down to the Basin at Coventry. Turn at the Basin in the city to start the journey back to Market Harborough.
Intermediate route: The Leicester Ring - 165 miles, 101 locks, 83.5 hours total
Cruise from the boatyard to Foxton and explore the varied scenery along the Leicestershire Ring over a 14 night break. Not for the faint-hearted! There are 101 locks to complete over 14 nights, but you should have plenty of time to stop off and explore various sites along the way.
It is recommended that you do this ring anti-clockwise so that you cruise with the flow along the River Soar north of Loughborough.
Pass through a tunnel and through a few lock flights leading to Leicester City, home to a variety of shops and restaurants and the National Space Centre. It’s also a great location for a canal-side walk before you make your way onto the River Soar. Turn west at Trent Lock on to the Trent & Mersey Canal past the villages of Shardlow and Willington, cruising over a series of aqueducts and navigating more locks. When you meet the Coventry Canal at Fradley Junction, maybe take a well-earned break and walk along one of the wildlife trails, stopping for a bit of light refreshment. There are 11 locks between Tamworth and Nuneaton, before you join the North Oxford Canal passing through Rugby. The junction onto the Grand Union takes you past the pretty village of Braunston, with a couple of waterside pubs to choose from. There are a selection of tunnels and lock flights, passing through open fields and wooded landscapes before you join the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal and return to the Wharf.
Active route: Oxford and Return - 175 miles, 122 locks, 92.5 hours total
A popular choice for those looking for a longer break. Cruise south on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal to make your way through the 10 Foxton Locks, after which you will cruise through peaceful uninterrupted countryside. Pass through the tunnel at Husbands Bosworth and on past the villages of Welford and Crick, both of which have a couple of pubs to stop at for refreshments. Pass through Crick Tunnel before travelling through the 6 Watford Locks. At Norton Junction head west and cruise towards Braunston. After stopping for refreshments at Braunston, cruise west through the pretty countryside to Napton Junction, then onto the South Oxford Canal. This canal is mainly surrounded by farmland or woodland, 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 past 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.
