Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Snarestone and Return - 24 miles, 0 locks, 9.5 hours total
A gentle cruise, ideal for first timers: Travel along the lock-free Ashby Canal, following in the footsteps of medieval history. Head north to Market Bosworth and learn more about the War of the Roses by visiting the Bosworth Heritage Centre & Country Park located at Sutton Cheney. There are moorings by Sutton Cheney Wharf from where visitors can follow the footpath up to the visitor centre. Moorings are also available by the old railway bridge 34A or you can cruise up to Shenton Station and to the visitor centre that way. Continue north to Shackerstone where you’ll find another nostalgic mode of transport - Battlefield Steam Railway. After a return train trip to Shenton by train, pop into the tea room or visit the glass studio. Continue north to Snarestone where you’ll come to the end of the navigation. Before returning to Stoke Golding, take a trip to see the restored Moira Furnace or wander through the grounds of their 150 year old deciduous woodland plantation - a taxi ride from Snarestone to Moira takes around 10 minutes. There are hostelries to cater for varying tastes, some are waterside and others require a 30 minute walk for a wider variety of cuisine.
Intermediate route: Coventry and Return - 32 miles, 0 locks, 13.5 hours total
Heading to the southern end of the Ashby Canal you’ll come to Marsden Junction, which brings you onto the Coventry Canal (Main Line- Hawkesbury to Fazeley). Cruise south on the Coventry Canal, passing through Bedworth, towards Hawkesbury Junction. If you have time, head into the centre of Bedworth to look at the beautiful old almshouse buildings (c.1840) - these buildings are still run as a charitable trust today. Continue south to Hawkesbury Junction where you will find some canal side pubs for a nice spot of lunch. The canal then leads you all the way to the Coventry Basin which has excellent moorings. Just after bridge 2 (Cash’s Land Bridge) you’ll pass some old weaver’s houses (known as Cash’s Hundred Houses). On arrival at Coventry Basin you’ll be in the heart of the city where there are plenty of shops as well as some nice pubs and eateries. Places of interest include the sites of the old and new Cathedrals, Coventry Transport Museum and the restored medieval buildings of Spon Street.
Active route: Snarestone, Marston Junction and Return – 41 miles, 0 locks, 16.5 hours total
This route will enable you to cruise the entire length of the 22 mile, lock-free Ashby Canal. From the marina at Stoke Golding, head north towards the farming village of Shackerstone, where you will find a pub. Moor up at bridge 52 if you wish to visit the historical Battlefield Line Railway. Continue through the idyllic, rural countryside to the village of Snarestone, where you’ll find a pub adjacent to the canal. Cruise through the crooked Snarestone Tunnel (250yds) and turn shortly after the tunnel. Cruise back past Stoke Golding and through the attractive village of Burton Hastings before arriving at Marston Junction. Turn and cruise back to Stoke Golding.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Snarestone, Coventry and return – 59 miles, 0 locks, 24 hours total
Head north to Market Bosworth and learn more about the War of the Roses by visiting the Bosworth Heritage Centre & Country Park located at Sutton Cheney. There are moorings by Sutton Cheney Wharf from where visitors can follow the footpath up to the visitor centre. Moorings are also available by the old railway bridge 34A or you can cruise up to Shenton Station and to the visitor centre that way. Continue north to Shackerstone where you’ll find another nostalgic mode of transport - Battlefield Steam Railway. After a return train trip to Shenton by train, pop into the tea room or visit the glass studio. Continue north to Snarestone where you’ll come to the end of the navigation and turn around to retrace your steps. Bypass Stoke Golding and continue south to Marsden Junction, which brings you onto the Coventry Canal. Cruise south, passing through Bedworth, towards Hawkesbury Junction. If you have time, head into the centre of Bedworth to look at the beautiful old almshouse buildings (c.1840) - these buildings are still run as a charitable trust today. Continue south to Hawkesbury Junction where you will find some canal side pubs for a nice spot of lunch. The canal then leads you all the way to the Coventry Basin which has excellent moorings. Just after bridge 2 (Cash’s Land Bridge) you’ll pass some old weaver’s houses (known as Cash’s Hundred Houses). On arrival at Coventry Basin you’ll be in the heart of the city where there are plenty of shops as well as some nice pubs and eateries. Places of interest include the sites of the old and new Cathedrals, Coventry Transport Museum and the restored medieval buildings of Spon Street.
Relaxed route: Braunston and Return – 69 miles, 8 locks, 29 hours total
At the southern end of the Ashby Canal you’ll find Marsden Junction (with the Coventry Canal). Turn left here, heading south until you reach Hawkesbury Junction where you go through a ‘stop-lock’ which raises you just a few inches, after which you’ll be on the North Oxford Canal. Passing Brinklow you’ll see a mound in the distance signifying the remains of a motte and bailey castle (walking to the village takes 25 minutes). Cruise through the 250yd Newbold Tunnel (two pubs near southern end) then there are moorings at Brownsover (bridge 58) with shops and another pub nearby. Bypass the town of Rugby and continue through the 3 double locks at Hillmorton. There is a canalside pub after bridge 73 - this is the last pub until you reach the pretty village of Braunston. Braunston is located on a hill and is a significant canal location as it is here that the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union Canal meet. The picturesque village has 3 pubs, a traditional butchers shop, grocery shop, a pretty church and a former windmill (now without sails). Turn at the Marina and return to Stoke Golding.
Intermediate route: Drayton Manor Park and Return - 61 miles, 26 locks, 29 hours total
Cruise south from the boatyard, past the market town of Hinckley, down to Marston Junction. At the junction turn right, heading north along the Coventry Canal through the town of Nuneaton to Hartshill, where there are a couple of pubs and shops a short walk from the canal. Continue on through a hilly, wooded landscape to the flight of 11 locks at Atherstone. Once through the locks cruise through pleasant countryside past the village of Polesworth, passing the remains of a 10th Century Abbey and a couple of canalside pubs. Further on, at Alvecote Priory you’ll be able to glimpse the ruins of the Benedictine Priory as you make your way to Tamworth. This thriving market town was originally a Saxon settlement and is home to Tamworth Castle, with its Norman motte. From Tamworth, continue through two locks to Fazeley Junction where you turn left, heading south along the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Cruise over a small aqueduct to Drayton Footbridge which is the best place to moor for Drayton Manor Theme Park. Continue along the canal towards Curdworth Locks, turning around before the first lock (No. 11) and returning to the boatyard. Completed over a 7 night hire, this allows you plenty of time to visit Drayton Manor Park.
Intermediate route: Fradley Junction and Return - 77 miles, 26 locks, 35.5 hours total
At the southern end of the Ashby Canal you’ll find Marsden Junction (with the Coventry Canal). Turning north at Marston, the Coventry Canal heads towards Nuneaton and onwards, passing Coventry. You may wish to visit Arbury Hill Gardens & Estate en route, which is 2 miles from the canal - moor near Arbury Park Bridge (Bridge 16). You’ll also find good moorings and facilities at Boot Bridge (No. 20) with pub nearby. Leaving Nuneaton and continuing north you’ll pass some disused quarries which have been converted into nature reserves. There are also pretty views of the Anker Valley before you reach Hartshill - look out for the fine clock tower in the Canal & River Trust yard nearby. Hartshill is the birthplace of the poet ‘Drayton’ born in 1563 (a friend of Shakespeare) and has shops just a15 minute walk from the canal. Cruise through the scenic 11-lock Atherstone Flight, past Polesworth and towards Tamworth. There are several points of interest near Tamworth, such as Tamworth Castle, the Snowdome at Kettlebrook or Drayton Manor Theme Park near Fazeley Junction - all of which are a short taxi ride away. Carry on up the Coventry Canal past Whittington and Huddlesford towards Fradley Junction. Here the Coventry Canal joins the Trent and Mersey Canal. At Fradley junction there is a popular canal side pub (over 200 years old) and a café. Turn around here and return to Stoke Golding.
Active route: Cropredy and Return - 113 miles, 42 locks, 51 hours total
At the southern end of the Ashby Canal is Marsden Junction (with the Coventry Canal). Turn left here, heading south until you reach Hawkesbury Junction where you go through a ‘stop-lock’ which raises you just a few inches, after which you’ll be on the North Oxford Canal. Passing Brinklow, cruise through the 250yd Newbold Tunnel (two pubs near southern end). There are moorings at Brownsover (bridge 58) with shops and pub nearby. Bypass the town of Rugby continuing through 3 locks at Hillmorton. The pub after bridge 73 is the last one before you reach the pretty village of Braunston. Braunston is located on a hill and is a significant canal location as it is here that the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union Canal meet. The picturesque village has 3 pubs, a traditional butchers shop, grocery shop, a pretty church and a former windmill (now without sails). Turn right at Braunston, under the cast-iron bridge, heading towards Napton Junction. At Napton Junction head south and you’ll see a windmill dominating the landscape around Napton-on-the-Hill. The best way to access the village is from Bridges 110 or 113. There are 2 pubs next to the canal if you wish to stop for lunch. After the 7-lock Napton Flight you pass the small settlement of Marston Doles where towing horses for the canal were once stabled. The canal then meanders down towards Fenny Compton. The village is a 1 mile walk from the canal but there is a canalside pub. The canal straightens as you go through the 5 Claydon Locks, then there are 4 more locks before Cropredy. This is a quiet village located next to the canal with a grocery shop, a pretty church and two pubs - the village bursts into life every August for the annual Folk Festival. Turn just after Cropredy Wharf Bridge and return to Stoke Golding.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Warwickshire Ring- 122 miles, 121 locks, 67.5 hours total
An interesting and varied route through a mixture of rural scenery and Cityscape. Begin your journey heading south from Stoke Golding to Marston Junction, where you join the Coventry Canal. Head north towards Atherstone, tackling the lock flight of 11, before cruising on past Tamworth to Fazeley Junction. After the junction, if you have time you could visit Drayton Manor Family Theme Park, which is a 15 minute walk from the canal (Moor at Drayton Manor Bridge). Heading south on to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal you’ll find the 11- lock Curdworth Flight followed by a small tunnel, then through a further 3 locks at Minworth. Continue from Minworth to Salford Junction, where you’ll turn left. Cruising through the urban outskirts of Birmingham, head into the City Centre and stop for some shopping, visit Gas Street, the NEC or even Cadbury World. To continue the ring route, head to Bordesley Junction then south through Solihull and the 5 locks at Knowle to Lapworth Junction, after which you approach the 21-lock Hatton Flight. Once through these locks, cruise into Warwick, stopping at either Saltisford Canal Centre or bridge 49 to visit the medieval Warwick Castle if you wish. Cruise over a couple of aqueducts into isolated countryside, past various canalside pubs and through the Bascote Locks and Stockton Locks, to Napton Junction. Turn left, making your way to Braunston village. Pass under the cast-iron bridge and turn left on to the North Oxford Canal. There are just four locks left to navigate before Marston Junction where you join the Ashby Canal again and return to Stoke Golding.
Intermediate route: The Black Country Ring – 130 miles, 105 locks, 69 hours total
The Black Country Ring offers a variety of scenery, with a mix of urban views and countryside. Head south along the Ashby Canal to Marston Junction, then north up the Coventry Canal to Fazeley Junction. Turn left past Drayton Manor footbridge, where you can moor and walk to Drayton Manor Theme Park if you wish. Continue south into central Birmingham, navigating the 11-lock Curdworth Flight, a short tunnel then 2 locks at Minworth, before turning left at Salford Junction. Continuing your descent to Birmingham, you leave behind the countryside and the views begin to show signs of suburban life. Moor in the city centre at Gas Street Basin and take a break exploring the Bullring shopping centre, NEC, Sealife Centre and waterfront eateries. Cruise north from here, tackling the 21-lock Wolverhampton Flight towards Aldersley Junction. Turn right, onto the picturesque Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal which twists around heathland to Gailey, then through the distinctive Brick Kiln lock to Penkridge where you can moor and walk into the village. The canal meanders along, passing an offshoot of the canal where you’re within walking distance of Stafford (or by bus) and then to Tixall where the canal widens. There are views of the wooded valleys and plenty of wildlife. At Great Haywood Junction turn right, heading south past the bustling town of Rugeley. Continue to Fazeley Junction and back along the Coventry Canal to Marston Junction, then up the Ashby Canal to Stoke Golding.
Active route: The Leicester Ring – 172 miles, 101 locks, 85.5 hours total
The Leicester Ring is a wonderful mixture of canal and river navigations with lots of locks, tunnels, aqueducts and places to explore. On departing Stoke Golding, travel south on the Ashby Canal until you reach Marston Junction. Head north on the Coventry Canal travelling through the 11 locks at Atherstone and bypassing Tamworth, to Fradley Junction. At the junction turn east onto the Trent and Mersey Canal heading towards Burton-upon-Trent, passing the village of Branston - home to the famous pickle. Burton-upon-Trent is well known for its brewing industry and at one time there were 31 breweries but now only a few remain – you can visit Marston’s Brewery Visitor Centre and there are various pubs and eateries alongside the canal. Departing Burton-upon-Trent you pass over 6 small aqueducts before arriving at Willington which has good moorings near landscaped gardens. As you travel through Swarkestone and Weston-on-Trent the canal runs alongside the River Trent through green and pleasant countryside. Moor up in Shardlow for examples of large scale canal architecture such as the 18th Century Trent Mill, now known as the Clock Warehouse. The Shardlow Heritage Centre also has exhibitions on local canal history. Just after Derwent Mouth Lock you meet the River Trent for a short while, where it joins the River Soar at Trent Lock. As you head south onto the River Soar, make sure you steer clear of Thrumpton Weir as you go downstream onto the River Soar. Travelling through Kegworth (access to the village is from Kegworth Shallow Lock) you pass a riverside pub where the river almost touches the A6. Passing through a couple of locks, you come into Loughborough and the navigation meets the Leicester section of the Grand Union Canal. South west of bridge 36 you can moor up for a spot of lunch and visit Charnwood Museum or the Great Central Railway. Continuing through Mountsorrel and Cossington Lock past Watermead Country Park, 6 locks bring you into Leicester city centre. There are many things to see in and around Leicester such as Leicester Castle Gardens, the National Space Centre, Belgrave Hall & Gardens and Leicester Cathedral where Richard III is laid to rest (access the city centre by West Bridge). After Leicester, travel through 12 well spaced-out locks before reaching a flight of 7 at Kilby. There is then a small flight of 5 locks before Saddington Tunnel (880 yards) heading towards Foxton. At Foxton, stop for refreshments at the canalside pub before embarking on Britain’s largest canal staircase flight (10 locks). Further south, you’ll notice the Market Harborough Arm running off to the east and into Market Harborough; after which there’s lock free cruising leading to Husband’s Bosworth tunnel (1166 yards). The canal meanders through open fields and bypasses the villages of Yelvertoft and Winwick, offering nice gentle cruising all the way to Crick. After going through Crick tunnel (1528 yards) continue through the flight of 7 locks at Watford, the canal descending down to Norton Junction. Turning right at the junction, you come to the long Braunston tunnel (2042 yards) followed by 6 locks…. allowing you to have a well-earned rest at the canalside pub in Braunston village. After Braunston Turn, following the canal to your right, there are just 3 locks at Hillmorton and then it’s completely lock-free back to Stoke Golding.
