Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Thrupp Wharf and Return - 33 miles, 14 locks, 14 hours total
Head south over two aqueducts, passing the pub at Stowehill Wharf, towards Nether Heyford. Moor near Bugbrooke Wharf Bridge 36 on your first night. There are 3 pubs in Bugbrooke including one on the canalside. Continue south along a lock-free stretch of the canal, past Gayton Junction on your left and towards the village of Blisworth. Cruise through the long Blisworth Tunnel (3057 yards / 1.74 miles) to the picturesque ‘canal village’ of Stoke Bruerne, which has a quaint canal museum and a couple of pubs. There are 7 locks here, then the route runs lock-free again past the small village of Yardley Gobion (approx. 15 mins walk). Soon you arrive at Thrupp Wharf, with its canalside pub – turn before bridge 64 and return to Weedon. To extend your trip, you could cruise a little further to Cosgrove and over the aqueduct there (approx. 16hrs in total) before returning to Weedon.
Intermediate route: Napton and Return - 31 miles, 26 locks, 14.5 hours total
Cruise north past Wilton and up 7 locks at Long Buckby, which run close to a rail line and main road. Here there is a real contract between the placid pace of the canal and modern transport. Moor at Norton Junction where there is a handy canalside pub. Follow the canal around to the left, heading through the lengthy Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards / 1.16 miles). Next there are 6 locks leading into the pretty village of Braunston, where there are two canalside pubs, an old windmill (less sails) a church and some local shops; walk up the hill from Bridge 91. At the next junction stay left, passing under the ornate cast-iron bridge and continuing west along the Grand Union Canal. The waterway then meanders lock-free, mainly through woodland and farmland, all the way to Napton Junction. Stay left again, joining the South Oxford Canal, and moor up before Bridge No. 111, where there is a pub within walking distance. Walking into Napton Village will take a good 20 minutes uphill, but is worth a visit if you want to stretch your legs. Turn around just before the bridge and return to Weedon.
Intermediate: Cosgrove & Return - 36 miles, 16 locks, 15.5 hours total
Head south over two aqueducts towards Nether Heyford, passing a pub at Stowehill Wharf. Moor near Bugbrooke Wharf Bridge 36 on your first night. There are 3 pubs in Bugbrooke including one on the canalside. Continue south along a lock-free stretch of the canal, past Gayton Junction on your left and towards the village of Blisworth. Cruise through the long Blisworth Tunnel (3057 yards / 1.74 miles) to the picturesque ‘canal village’ of Stoke Bruerne, which has a quaint canal museum and a couple of pubs. There are 7 locks here, then the route runs lock-free again past the small village of Yardley Gobion (15 mins walk from canal). Soon afterwards, you arrive at Thrupp Wharf with its canalside pub, then a little further south is the village of Cosgrove and another pub. After this you’ll arrive at one lock followed by an impressive aqueduct, which coveys you over the Great Ouse River. Turn your boat at the end of the aqueduct to return to Weedon.
Intermediate route: Braunston, Hillmorton and Return - 34 miles, 32 locks, 17.5 hours total
Head north along the winding canal, through 7 locks at Long Buckby, to Norton Junction. En route, parts of the canal come quite close to a motorway, which you can hear in the distance, in contrast to the quiet canal. Moor at Norton Junction for your first night (pub nearby). Next day, turn left and head through the long Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards / 1.16 miles). There are then 6 locks leading to the pretty village of Braunston, where there’s a canalside pub, an old windmill (less sails) a church and a traditional butchers / deli. At the junction ahead veer right, passing the ornate cast iron bridges and heading north. The following stretch is very peaceful, with farmland alongside most of it – the sheep, cows and horses keeping you company. There is a pub near bridge 73 before you arrive at the double-locks of Hillmorton. After the first two locks turn around (there’s a little bistro at Hillmorton Locks with limited opening hours) and return.
Active route: Welford and Return - 44 miles, 30 locks, 22 hours total
Head north along winding canal, through 7 locks at Long Buckby, to Norton Junction. Some parts of the canal come quite close to a motorway, which you’ll hear in the distance, in contrast to the quiet canal. Moor at Norton Junction for your first night (pub nearby). Turn right, up the Leicester Section of the Grand Union and towards the village of Watford, where there are 7 locks including a small staircase flight. Pass through Crick Tunnel (1528 yards) arriving at Crick Wharf soon after (15 mins walk to the village). The lock-free canal then meanders along past Yelvertoft (20 mins walk) following the contours of its surroundings. After crossing a short aqueduct you arrive at Welford Junction and turn right onto the 1 ¼ mile long, tree-lined Welford Arm (c. 1814). After just one lock you arrive at Welford, which was once a busy stagecoach stop between Leicester and Northampton and is now very popular with walkers. The village has a local shop, café and two pubs. Turn here and return.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Linslade and Return - 73 miles, 28 locks, 30 hours total
Follow our ‘relaxed’ short break route to Thrupp Wharf (above) continuing south to Cosgrove. After one lock you arrive at the Great Ouse Aqueduct (c. 1811) and at the far end is Old Wolverton and a canalside pub. It becomes a little more urban as you skirt around Milton Keynes and over Grafton Aqueduct (c. 1991) then there is scenic parkland at Stantonbury and Great Linford, where the canal turns south and becomes more serpentine. After bridge 81 the outlook changes to attractive woodland as you pass under some rather interesting bridges. There are 4 canalside pubs between Peartree Bridge and Fenny Stratford, where there is one lock. The canal then breaks into open countryside, leading along the Ouzel Valley past Stoke Hammond (1 lock) and through 3 locks at Soulbury, until you arrive at Leighton Buzzard and Linslade which are situated on either side of the canal. Leighton Buzzard is the larger of the two and has some interesting half-timbered houses and cottages in the streets leading to Market Cross (c. 1350). There are shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants in the town centre as well as three pubs close to the canal in Linslade, on the opposite side. The Globe Inn, near bridge 111, has links with the Great Train Robbery (1963). Turn after Bridge 114 and return to Weedon.
Intermediate route: Coventry and Return - 75 miles, 34 locks, 35 hours total
Follow our ‘intermediate’ short break route to Hillmorton, before setting off along the lock-free North Oxford Canal, over 2 aqueducts and through Rugby (limited mooring) towards Newbold on Avon and Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) - moor up before the tunnel for access to 2 pubs. This is a peaceful, wooded stretch of the canal. Mid-way to Ansty lies the village of Brinklow which is approx. 25 mins walk from the canalside and has various shops and pubs. At one point the M6 Bridge passes above the canal and M69 does the same near Ansty – it’s actually quite appealing to see the ’hustle-bustle’ as you cruise along below at a steady 3mph. At Hawkesbury Junction there’s a sharp bend and a stop-lock before you meet the Coventry Canal, passing an old engine house and a pub en route. Turn left at the junction, cruising through the suburbs to the Coventry Basin. Famous for Lady Godiva, who rode naked through the town to divert her husband’s anger from the town, Coventry suffered severe bomb damage during WWII and has mostly been rebuilt since 1940. Some wonderful medieval buildings still remain in Spon Street and you can visit the shell of the original Coventry Cathedral if you wish. Turn here and return..
Intermediate route: Market Harborough and Return - 67 miles, 48 locks, 36 hours total
Follow our ‘active’ short break route as far as Welford Junction, continuing north past North Kilworth and through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166 yards) towards Foxton. From Crick upwards, the canal is surrounded by remote farmland, open countryside and woodland. Although there are villages with shops and pubs nearby, most of them are a 20 minute walk from the canal, including Husbands Bosworth which sits above the tunnel. There are two staircases of 5 locks each at Foxton which lower the canal by 75ft, down to the Market Harborough Arm. During the main season, Foxton locks tend to be manned by a lock-keeper to show you the ropes. There are also 2 pubs, a café and a museum on site. Turn right after the locks, towards Market Harborough, passing the little village of Foxton on your left. The canal arm runs for 5 ½ miles into the centre of the town, with good moorings at its end. Dating back to 1203, Market Harborough has a certain rural elegance. The ‘Old Grammar School’ stands on wooden stilts in the town centre (c. 1614) next to the church. The town also boasts antique shops, a gallery, a museum and a theatre; as well as a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs. Turn here and return.
Active route: Kingswood Junction and Return - 72 miles, 118 locks, 45 hours total
Head north along the winding canal, through 7 locks at Long Buckby, to Norton Junction. Moor here for your first night (pub nearby). Next day, turn left and head through the long Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards / 1.16 miles). There are then 6 locks leading to the pretty village of Braunston, where there’s a canalside pub, an old windmill (less sails) and a traditional butchers / deli. At Braunston Junction turn left under the ornate cast-iron bridge, continuing along the canal to Napton Junction where you turn right, under the bridge and through the 3 Calcutt locks. At Stockton there’s a pub followed by a flight of 8 locks, another pub then 2 more locks. At Cuttle Bridge there are two more canalside pubs and a road leading to the village of Long Itchington. Next you cruise over a low aqueduct and through 6 locks at Bascote, followed by 5 locks leading to the outskirts of Warwick. After Bridge 35 the area starts to get built-up, with shops and pubs within walking distance. Near bridge 49 there are moorings with easy access by road to Warwick Castle and the town centre (south). There are 2 locks before the Saltisford Arm to your left; turn right here and up the imposing 21-lock Hatton Flight (with pub near the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) after the flight, cruising to Kingswood Junction to turn around and return.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Oxford and Return - 128 miles, 102 locks, 69 hours total
Head north along the canal, through 7 locks at Long Buckby, to Norton Junction. Moor at Norton Junction for your first night (pub nearby). Next day, turn left and head through the long Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards / 1.16 miles). There are then 6 locks leading to the village of Braunston, where there’s a canalside pub, an old windmill and a traditional butchers / deli. At Braunston Junction turn left under the cast-iron bridge, continuing along the canal to Napton Junction where you turn left, cruising down the Oxford Canal. There are two pubs then the 9 lock Napton Flight begins, which stretches for 2 miles between Folly Bridge and Marston Doles. The route meanders through countryside and farmland with some tight bends to negotiate at times, as this is a contour canal following the natural curve of the land. It takes another 3 hours to reach Fenny Compton where you’ll find a pub and a waterpoint. Continue south through 8 locks and a lift bridge to the pretty village of Cropredy (home to Fairport Convention) where there’s 1 lock, 2 pubs and a small shop. There are 3 more locks before you reach Banbury. In the town centre you’ll find a lift bridge, overlooked by shops and restaurants, then a lock next to a gallery and café. Moor up just after Bridge 166 to walk into the town centre (approx. 10 minutes). Banbury is home to Banbury Cross, Banbury Cakes and Ye Olde Reindeer Inn (c. 1570). South of here the lift bridges start to multiply; they are an iconic sight on this canal and most are left open for you to pass under, between the fields of cows, sheep and horses. There is just a smattering of locks between here and Lower Heyford, passing Aynho en route. Very close to Lower Heyford it’s possible to stop and visit Rousham House (1635). Two locks later, you reach the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ with its canalside garden. Just south, the canal meets with the River Cherwell for a while, until lock No. 41 (which is diamond shaped) when it becomes canal once again. After a sharp turn to your right you arrive at Thrupp with its two charming pubs, followed by Kidlington. Past Kidlington, cruising towards Oxford, the scenery remains lovely and green with neat brick bridges punctuating the canal. After more lift bridges and 2 locks you reach the outskirts of Oxford City Centre, with bridge 242 marking the start of the suburbs. Moor up after Aristotle Bridge or Jericho Footbridge for up to 24 hours and discover the famous University City of Oxford from there. More info: https://oxfordcity.co.uk/explore-oxford/travel-and-tourism/attractions/. Turn and return to Weedon.
Intermediate route: The Warwickshire Ring - 124 miles, 147 locks, 71 hours total
Follow the ‘active’ 7 night route to Kingswood Junction and turn left, under the bridge and on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, then immediately right, heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath which is accessible from the canal. The route meanders through countryside, changing to suburbs as you get closer to Birmingham. Near the top of this canal is Brandwood Tunnel (352 yards) followed by an interesting ‘Guillotine Lock’ just before King’s Norton Junction, where you turn right on to the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal. The canal is lock-free all the way into central Birmingham, past Cadbury’s World at Bournville, to Gas Street Basin where you can visit such delights as the ICC, National Sealife Centre, Symphony Hall & Brindley Place (lots of restaurants, pubs and bars). At the next junction turn right, to Cambrian Wharf and downhill through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge – lots of industrial heritage - then under Aston Road Bridge. Take the next left through a further 11 locks before arriving at Salford Junction where you turn right, on to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Past Tyburn Bridge there are 3 locks then a lock-free stretch until you reach the 11 lock Curdworth flight, which is quite spread out. Between Salford Junction and Curdworth bottom lock there are pubs and shops within walking distance. From Curdworth to Fazeley Junction it’s plain sailing past Drayton Manor Theme Park to the next junction. At Fazeley, take a right on to the Coventry Canal and through 2 locks, past Tamworth and Polesworth. Eventually you arrive at the 11-lock Atherstone Flight (Atherstone village once belonged to Lady Godiva). The canal then continues lock-free, past Marston Junction (with the Ashby Canal). Turn left and left again at Hawkesbury Junction (with the North Oxford Canal) where you’ll find a stop lock, an engine house and a pub. Cruise south through woodland and fields, passing under the Newbold Tunnel (250 yards). It’s then lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton where there are 3 double locks. A couple of hours’ cruising later, you arrive at Braunston again. Follow the canal round to the left and return to Weedon. It’s also possible to stop at Warwick Castle: https://www.warwick-castle.com/ or at Drayton Manor: https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/ en route, if you allow for extra time.
Active route: The Leicester Ring - 165 miles, 115 locks, 82 hours total
As per our 7 night ‘intermediate’ route above, cruise to Norton Junction then up the Leicester Arm and through the Foxton Locks. Instead of turning right after the locks (to Market Harborough) turn left, through Saddington Tunnel (880 yards) and towards the City of Leicester. The villages of Crick, Yelvertoft, North Kilworth, Husbands Bosworth and Fleckney can all be accessed from the canal but are not canalside (approx. 20 mins walk). There are 13 locks running through countryside as you approach the suburbs of Leicester. Then after a further 12 locks you reach the City Centre with its many pubs, shops, restaurants, parks, museums and historic sights – such as Leicester Cathedral where Richard III has now been laid to rest. At Belgrave Lock the canal meets the River Soar which meanders through the city until you reach Thurmaston Lock, where it joins the canal once more. The Soar begins again at Cossington, leading through pretty Mountsorrel Lock with its waterside pub, towards Barrow-Upon-Soar (deep lock) then to Loughborough. Here you reach a T-junction and turn right, joining the Loughborough Navigation, leading past Kegworth and onto the River Trent (pay attention to weirs). You then turn left, heading west to Derwent Mouth where you meet the Trent & Mersey Canal. The village of Shardlow appears soon after and is well worth visiting. It has an interesting array of canal architecture, a Heritage Centre, Trent Mill and numerous canalside pubs. Locks appear at regular intervals along the Trent & Mersey, all the way up to Fradley Junction. The route is also interspersed with low aqueducts, adding interest as the canal moves through the countryside until you reach Burton-upon-Trent, famous for its many Breweries. After passing the attractive village of Arlewas, you arrive at Fradley Junction. Next comes Fazeley Junction where you continue left to Tamworth and through 2 locks, passing the ruins of Alvecote Priory. A long lock-free section follows until you reach the 11 locks at Atherstone (once owned by Lady Godiva). It’s then easy-cruising to Hawkesbury Junction where there is a stop-lock leading to the North Oxford Canal. From here, cruise south through woodland and fields, passing under the Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) past Rugby and Hillmorton (3 locks) to Braunston Village. Follow the canal along the outskirts of the village, leading to the left through 6 locks and the Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards / 1.16 miles) to Norton Junction. Turn right, returning to Weedon.
