Warwick and Leamington:
Active route: Warwick and Return – 20 miles, 42 locks, 15 hours total
Cruise west through the first 8 locks of the Stockton Flight with the a pub just after. There are 2 further locks before the village of Long Itchington, which has 6 pubs and mooring (a good place to stop first night). Next cruise over a low aqueduct then through the 6 locks at Bascote. A further 5 locks then lead to the outskirts of Warwick. After a small aqueduct near Bridge 35 the area starts to get more urban, with shops and pubs within walking distance of the canal. After bridge 49 you can moor up and walk into Warwick or carry on through 2 more locks turn at Saltisford and moor near the Cape of Good Hope pub for the night. Next morning begin your return journey to Stockton. A 4 night midweek break would also allow you time to visit Warwick Castle for the day: https://www.warwick-castle.com/
Braunston
Relaxed route: Norton Junction and Return – 24 miles, 18 locks, 11 hours total
Cruise east through 3 locks at Calcutt, meeting the South Oxford Canal at Napton Junction. Turn left, following the Grand Union Canal, eventually passing under the cast-iron Bridge at Braunston Junction (approx. 2.45hrs from Stockton). Stop near the Boathouse Pub and walk into the pretty village (over the bridge and up the hill). Next day, cruise past Braunston Marina and the nearby Café boat (a great option for breakfast). Next comes a flight of 6 locks (another pub nearby) followed by amazing Braunston Tunnel (1.16 miles long). After the tunnel the canal leads to Norton Junction, where there is another canalside pub. Turn around here and return to Stockton Marina.
Fenny Compton
Intermediate route: Fenny Compton and Return – 29 miles, 24 locks, 15 hours total
Cruise east through the 3 locks at Calcutt, meeting the South Oxford Canal at Napton Junction. Turn right towards Napton and moor up at one of 2 nearby pubs for your first evening. Next comes the 9 lock Napton Flight which stretches for 2 miles between Folly Bridge and Marston Doles Bridge, after which the route meanders through countryside and farmland with a few tight bends to negotiate at times, as this is a contour canal following the natural curve of the land. From here there are no more locks and it takes a further 3 hours to reach Bridge 136 at Fenny Compton where you’ll find the Wharf Inn pub and a waterpoint. Turn after the bridge and return to Stockton. If you are on a midweek break and wish to extend this route, cruise further south through 8 more locks and a lift bridge to the pretty village of Cropredy before returning to Stockton.
