Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Coventry and Return - 25 miles, 2 locks, 12 hours total
Cruise in a north westerly direction passing under the M6 towards Ansty village, which is approximately 3 miles away before passing under the M69 - a very rural slow winding route through tranquil farmland and under a few bridges. 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 pub within 5 minutes walk of the canal. Moor by the road bridge and cross over the canal. The first signs of the city starts 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, to explore the city centre. Moorings are available in the basin at the terminus.
Relaxed route: Braunston and Return - 31 miles, 6 locks, 13.5 hours total
Cruise south down the rural North Oxford Canal, passing some of the ornate cast-iron bridges that mark this waterway. Continue through Newbold Tunnel (250yds) and moor up on the right, next to the two pubs, for your first evening. Rugby is just a short distance further south, where your surroundings become more urban just for a little while. The canal then passes over two aqueducts, meandering through woodland and farmland; lock-free until you reach Hillmorton. Here there are two sets of 3 locks; just one side being open for use. At Hillmorton there is a small bistro (daytime only) and further ahead is a canalside pub, just after bridge 73, with moorings. You then have a long quiet stretch of canal, bordered by countryside without any further locks, until you reach the pretty village of Braunston. Pass the white bridge to your right and moor up. Walk over Bridge 91 and up the hill into the village, where there are shops and pubs, a church, pretty cottages and a windmill without any sails…a decent place to stop for the evening. At breakfast time you may wish to visit the Gongoozler’s Rest Café, which is actually on a boat, near the marina. Turn at the marina entrance and return.
Intermediate route: Norton Junction and Return - 40 miles, 18 locks, 19 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton, passing Newbold on Avon. There is a choice of pubs close to the moorings here after you pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yds in length). Navigate through the three 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, where there are plenty of eateries within walking distance up the hill. Negotiate the Braunston lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yds in length) and turn at Norton junction for the return journey. If you are on a midweek break you may have time to carry on down the Oxford Canal to Napton to sample the delights of a couple of pubs close to the Napton lock flight. The village is perched attractively on a hill, topped by a windmill and has a small shop and two more pubs. Or alternatively trvael South from Norton Junction to Weedon on the Grand Union Canal.
Active route: Fenny Compton and Return - 54 miles, 24 locks, 24 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. A few miles south of Hillmorton, the canal reaches Braunston Turn and the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, 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 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: Ashby Canal, Snarestone and Return - 63 miles, 2 locks, 26 hours total
This route can be completed in a midweek break in the summer cruising approximately 8-9 hours a day or much better over a relaxed 7 night break - it is a great introduction to boating if you are looking for a route with very few locks. Start off as per the short break relaxed route above but turn North at Hawkesbury junction away from Coventry. Cruise north on the Coventry Canal until you reach Marston Junction and cruise east onto the Ashby Canal which offers 22 miles of lock-free cruising and becomes prettier the further you go, the last 6 miles or so epitomising all that is best in English countryside. 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 stock up on some food provisions. There are a few pubs at Hinkley before you make your way to Stoke Golding passing under pretty stone bridges and a little farm shop with local produce. Follow the canal past Ambion Wood over the Shenton Aqueduct. There is popular pub at where the A5 Watling Street crosses the canal at Hinkley and at Hinkley Wharf. On the way you pass the pretty town of Market Bosworth and fascinating site of the Battle of Bosworth Field, near bridge 55. There is a visitor centre here where you can trace how King Richard lost his crown to Henry Tudor in 1485. Shackerstone has a steam railway and museum, opening times restricted, but there are steam trips on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holidays. 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 and a winding hole to allow you to turn around and make your return journey back to the marina.
Intermediate route: Drayton Manor Park and Return - 63 miles, 28 locks, 31 hours total
Begin your journey heading north up the Oxford Canal to Hawkesbury Junction, continuing to Marston Junction. At the junction, continue along the Coventry Canal heading through the town of Nuneaton to Hartshill, where there are a couple of pubs and shops a short walk from the canalside. Continue on through 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.
Active route: Banbury and Return - 86 miles, 48 locks, 42 hours total
As per the active short break above to Fenny Compton. 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 winds its 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 on with 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 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 shopping opportunities and places to eat before you turn the boat to return to the marina.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Market Harborough and Return - 97 miles, 52 locks, 48 hours total
Follow the intermediate short break route aboove and then 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 yrds in length) to arrive at Crick Wharf. The canal loops past the hilly landscape and under several brick bridges with little signs of habitation until you reach North Kilworth. You can walk into the village for a pub meal. Returning to the boat, you continue cruising in a northerly direction through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166 yds in length) before returning to unspoilt rural cruising to 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 onto the Market Harborough Arm which runs alongside the hills. There are visitor moorings at Market Harborough so you can moor and explore the market town before turning around and making your return journey.
Intermediate route: The Warwickshire Ring - 104 miles, 121 locks, 60 hours total
The Warwickshire Ring is a 100 mile contrasting route of scenery 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 less locks to navigate if you need to make up time.
Active route: The Leicestershire Ring - 155 miles, 101 locks, 79 hours total
A varied route down the North Oxford, up the Grand Union to the River Soar and the Trent & Mersey, then back down the Coventry Canal. The cruise includes 5 tunnels and several aqueducts, as well as the locks
(including Foxton) and Shardlow canal village. The timing allows a leisurely fortnight, or gives you time to explore other canals on the way (e.g. the Ashby).
