Relaxed Route: Snarestone, Coventry and Return – 68 miles, 0 locks, 27.5 hours total
Head south past Nuneaton, where you’ll find a selection of pubs and restaurants, and turn left at Marston Junction, joining the scenic, lock-free Ashby Canal. Surrounded by English countryside, the outlook is largely fields, trees and farmland; there are no locks but there are plenty of picturesque stone-arched bridges. The southern section of the Ashby Canal is quite rural, so it's a good idea to stock up on some provisions; however, there are some pubs within walking distance of the canal, especially in the small town of Hinckley. Just one hours’ cruise north of Hinckley you’ll arrive at Stoke Golding where there are three traditional pubs, a very pretty church and some local shops. Continue north to the farming village of Shackerstone. Here you’ll find a railway museum with preserved steam trains and you can take a 9 mile round trip from here along the “Battlefield Line”, which can be linked in with a visit to Bosworth Battlefield Centre (Bosworth Field was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, between the Houses of Lancaster and York in 1485). Between Stoke Golding and Shakerstone you will pass the villages of Dadlington, Market Bosworth and Congerstone, each of which has its own local pub. Pass through Snarestone Tunnel (250 yards) - the farming village of Snarestone sits above the tunnel, with the towpath leading over the top - and turn around after bridge 61. Retrace your steps to Marston Junction then continue to Coventry, the ‘City of Culture 2021’. There are numerous things you can do in Coventry; these include visiting historic sites such as Coventry Cathedral (bombed in WW2); admiring the museums or galleries; enjoying a play at the theatre; or finding the statue of Lady Godiva atop her horse. Coventry Canal Basin is the ideal place to start out on some fascinating art trail treks, leading through picturesque countryside. Look out for the informative fact boards and plaques along the routes highlighting some of Coventry’s rich industrial history. Turn at the canal basin and return to base.
Relaxed route (south): Braunston and Return – 61 miles, 8 locks, 26 hours total
Head down a lock free stretch of canalpast Marston Junction (with the Ashby Canal) to Hawkesbury Junction, where you will find a ‘stop lock’ leading on to the North Oxford Canal. Pass by the small village of Ansty with its canalside pub, then the village of Brinklow. Cruise through the 250yd Newbold Tunnel at Newbold on Avon, a good place to stop for provisions with a 2 pubs, a local store and a fish & chip shop. Continue cruising past the market town of Rugby on the way to Hillmorton Locks. Navigate through the three locks (nearby daytime Bistro) and cruise on through wide, open countryside until you reach Braunston. Moor up along the towpath for a short walk into the village centre; set upon a hill, the village has a butchers, fish & chip shop, tea room and gift shop, along with a few local stores. The village is also home to four pubs and All Saint’s Church. Turn at the marina to begin your journey back to base.
Relaxed route (north): Fradley Junction and Return – 50 miles, 26 locks, 25 hours total
Cruise north along the scenic Coventry Canal, stopping at the market town of Atherstone on your first evening where you’ll find a variety of places to eat. There are 7 locks near the town centre, followed by 4 more a little further ahead; then there’s a lovely lock-free stretch, leading past the pretty village of Polesworth (pubs) towards Tamworth. The canal has some interesting sights en route, including Pooley Hall and the ruins of Alvecote Priory. There are two locks at Tamworth and a traditional pub overlooks the canal next to bridge 69. You’ll then pass over the Tame Aqueduct, which has its own pill box and just a short distance ahead you’ll find Fazeley Junction (pub). Continue to Hopwas, where there are two canalside pubs. There are now no locks at all as you cruise through pretty countryside and numerous stone bridges, woodland and farmland. Just over an hour later you’ll reach the outskirts of Whittington, which has local shops and 2 village pubs, further north a train line crosses the canal twice, then its peaceful cruising all the way to Fradley Junction, where you'll find the famous Swan pub - affectionately known to boaters as the 'Mucky Duck'. Turn at the junction and return to base.
Intermediate route: Norton Junction and Return – 69 miles, 20 locks, 31 hours total
Follow the 'relaxed' route south to Braunston (above) then continue east through the 6-lock Braunston Flight, followed by the long, slightly bent, Braunston Tunnel (2042yds). Continue along a beautiful wooded stretch of canal to Norton Junction, where there is another pub. Turn at the Junction and return to base.
Intermediate route: Shugborough Hall and Return – 74 miles, 36 locks, 36 hours total
Follow the 'relaxed' route north to Fradley Junction (above) turning left on to the Trent & Mersey Canal. There are 3 locks as you first proceed along the canal, then a lovely long, lock-free stretch for 9 miles – passing through woodland, farmland and countryside- until you reach the villages of Handsacre and Armitage (pubs). Shortly later you approach the outskirts of the industrial market town of Rugeley, where there is a large supermarket near the canal (bridge 66) and various pubs and restaurants in the town centre. Suburbs change to countryside once again as you approach Little Haywood and Great Haywood through two well spaced-out locks. From here you can easily visit Shugborough Hall and the interesting grounds that encircle it; Shugborough Park, Park Farm Museum and the Museum of Staffordshire Life. There are local shops and pubs in Great Haywood. Turn at Great Haywood Junction and return.
Active route: Banbury and Return – 116 miles, 52 locks, 54 hours total
Cruise south along the quiet Coventry Canal, through just one lock at Hawkesbury. Join the North Oxford Canal, with a further 3 at Hillmorton, before arriving at Braunston. Turn right under the cast iron bridge and on to the Grand Union Canal. Cruise to Napton Junction where you'll meet the peaceful South Oxford canal. Pass through 7 locks at Napton, followed by two more at Marston Doles. This canal is mostly surrounded by farmland or woodland, with open fields that stretch far and wide. Often there are cows or sheep alongside the canal and herds of llama or buffalo have also been spotted at times! Being a 'contour canal' the waterway meanders along, following the curve of the land. At Fenny Compton you’ll find a canalside pub and water point for your convenience. After a few more locks, the next village you encounter is Cropredy which has pretty stone cottages, a church, grocery store and two pubs (in August a popular folk festival also takes place there). Just south of Cropredy you’ll arrive at the historic town of Banbury where it's possible to stop close to the centre to enjoy some of the attractions and amenities. Dotted along this canal you will also find an abundance of scenic 'lift bridges'. Turn after Banbury and return.
