Active route: 105 miles, 121 locks, 58 hours total.
Cruise west through the 8 lock Stockton Flight, with 2 more locks before the village of Itchington, which has 6 pubs and mooring (a good place to stop first night). Cruise over a low aqueduct and through 6 locks at Bascote, then another 5 locks lead to the outskirts of Warwick. After a small aqueduct near Bridge 35 the area starts to get more built-up. There are 2 aqueducts before bridge 48, then at bridge 49 you’ll find a boatyard with moorings (other moorings are available). The boatyard is close to a main road which leads south towards Warwick Castle and the city centre. Next are 2 locks before the Saltisford Arm to your left; turn right here and up the 21-lock Hatton Flight (with pub near the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) and continue to Kingswood Junction*, also known as Lapworth Link. Here there’s a sharp turn to the left leading to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Turn right, heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath village, accessible from the canal. The canal then 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. There is then a lock-free stretch all the way into central Birmingham, past Cadbury’s World at Bournville, to Gas Street Basin. At the next junction turn right towards Cambrian Wharf then downhill through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge and under Aston Road Bridge. Take the next left at Aston Junction and through a further 11 locks before Salford Junction where you turn right on to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. After Tyburn Bridge there are 3 locks at Minworth then a lock-free stretch until 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 is plain sailing (unless you make time to stop at Drayton Manor Theme Park en route). At Fazeley Junction turn right, down the Coventry Canal and through 2 locks past Tamworth and Polesworth, eventually arriving at the 11-lock Atherstone Flight. The canal then continues lock-free, passing 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. Cruise south down the N. Oxford Canal through woodland and fields, passing under the Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton (3 locks). A couple of hours’ cruising south of Hillmorton is Braunston Village. Turn right at Braunston under the cast-iron bridge and onto the Grand Union Canal, heading towards Napton Junction. After Napton Junction there are 3 locks at Calcutt before you arrive back Stockton Top Marina. *For a slightly shorter option, continue to the right at Kingswood Junction. There are 3 pubs and no locks at all until you reach the 5-lock flight at Knowle, then it’s lock-free as you cruise through Solihull. The next 5 locks start at Small Heath, after which you come to Bordesley Junction. Turn right at Bordesley and through 5 locks before Salford Junction, then continue to Fazeley Junction (as above). This cuts out quite a chunk of the previous route and will take fewer hours to complete. This route is also well-suited to 10 / 11 night holidays, to allow extra time to explore.
Foxton
One weeks cruise via Braunston, Norton Junction, Watford and the Grand Union to Foxton, if time permits descend the Foxton flight of locks and visit Market Harborough. Cruising time including return 50 hours.
Ashby Canal
Relaxed route: 109 miles, 14 locks, 45 hours.
This is a great introduction to boating if you are looking for a route with very few locks. Start your journey by cruising east for around 45 minutes to the first 3 locks at Calcutt then onto Napton Junction, take a left towards Braunston turn then travel Northwest onto the north oxford canal, you pass through tranquil farmland and under numerous bridges, whilst adjusting to this peaceful winding waterway. Brinklow is situated just west of the waterway if you fancy stretching your legs. As you continue along, 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 waterfront pub. There are signs of Coventry as you make your way to Hawkesbury Junction. Turn right to continue on the Coventry Canal away from the city, until you reach Marston Junction where you turn onto the Ashby Canal. The outlook is largely fields, trees and farmland; there are no locks but there are some interesting stone-arched bridges, the scenery far removed from the suburban landscape of the Coventry Canal. The southern section of the Ashby Canal is very rural, so it’s a good idea to have some provisions to snack on. There are a few pubs at Hinkley before making your way to Stoke Golding; under pretty stone bridges follow the canal through Ambion Wood. Just before Shenton Aqueduct there are moorings for the Battlefield Centre – the location of the ‘Battle of Bosworth Field’ is situated close by. You are only 8 miles from the farming village of Snarestone, where there is a pub and a tunnel, before you reach the end of the navigation where you turn around to make your return journey to Stockton.
Oxford Canal – Banbury
Relaxed route: 50 miles, 50 locks, 29 hours total
Cruise east through the 3 locks at Calcutt, eventually 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 is 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. Continue south through 8 more locks and a lift bridge to the pretty village of Cropredy (home to Fairport Convention) where there is one further lock, two pubs and a small shop. There are 3 more locks before you reach the outskirts of Banbury. In the town centre you’ll find a lift bridge, over looked by shops and restaurants, then a lock close to an arts centre with a café. Moor up just after Albion Bridge 166 where possible. Walking into the town centre from here will take just 10 minutes. Banbury is home to Banbury Cross, Banbury Cakes and Ye Olde Reindeer Inn (c. 1570). Turn at the winding hole after Bridge 168 and return to Stockton.To Banbury via Napton, Cropredy and return. Easy and attractive run. Cruising time 38 hours can be extended to Aynho giving a further 6 hours cruising time.
Stoke Bruerne
Relaxed route: 58 miles, 44 locks, 27 hours.
Cruise east through 3 locks at Calcutt, meeting the South Oxford Canal at Napton Junction. Turn left after the bridge, following the Grand Union Canal and 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 come 6 locks followed by Braunston Tunnel (1.16 miles long) leading to Norton Junction. Turn right, heading south through a further 7 locks leading to the village of Weedon Bec. Passing Bugbrooke and Gayton Junction you’ll arrive at the long Blisworth Tunnel (1.74 miles long). After the tunnel you’ll find Stoke Bruerne where there are pubs and a canal museum. This trip includes going to bottom lock 20, Turn and return to Stockton.
For 10 Days
Stratford
Active Route: 62 miles, 154 locks, 49 hours total
Cruise west through the 8 lock Stockton Flight, with 2 more locks before the village of Itchington, which has 6 pubs and mooring (a good place to stop first night). Cruise over a low aqueduct and through 6 locks at Bascote, then another 5 locks lead to the outskirts of Warwick. After a small aqueduct near Bridge 35 the area starts to get more built-up. There are 2 aqueducts before bridge 48, then at bridge 49 you’ll find a boatyard with moorings (other moorings are available). The boatyard is close to a main road which leads south towards Warwick Castle and the city centre. Next are 2 locks before the Saltisford Arm to your left; turn right here and up the 21-lock Hatton Flight (with pub near the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) and continue to Kingswood Junction, also known as Lapworth Link. Here there is a very sharp turn to the left under a footbridge leading to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Turn left, heading south through 9 locks before reaching Lowsonford , then after 8 more locks you reach Preston Baggot (both villages have pubs). Cruise over the aqueduct at Wootton Wawen then through one lock and over a 2nd aqueduct (the Edstone Aqueduct) to Wilmcote, where you can visit Mary Arden’s House. Between here and Stratford-upon-Avon there are 17 locks, mainly running through pretty countryside before arriving on the residential & industrial outskirts of the town. After lock No. 53 the scenery becomes far prettier, before arriving at Bancroft Basin in the middle of the famous Shakespearian town. There is plenty to experience in the town including timbered Tudor buildings, Theatres, guided tours, restaurants & shops, etc. Turn here and return to Stockton.
For Two Weeks
Leicester Circuit
Active route: 170 miles, 107 locks, 83 hours
Cruise east to Napton Junction and along the Grand Union Canal to Braunston. Continue through 6 locks and the Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards) to Norton Junction. Turn left up the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal and through 6 locks at Watford followed by Crick Tunnel (1528 yards) passing the ‘Welford Arm’ to your right. Head towards North Kilworth, followed by Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166 yards) and the 10 scenic staircase locks at Foxton. Turn left at the junction then north through Saddington Tunnel (880 yards) heading towards the city of Leicester. N.B. The villages of Crick, Yelvertoft, North Kilworth, Husbands Bosworth and Fleckney can all be accessed from the canal (approx. 20 minutes’ walk). Between Saddington Tunnel and Crow Mills Bridge (No. 92) there are 13 locks running through countryside, then you start to approach the suburbs of Leicester and after a further 12 spread-out locks, 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 outskirts of the city until Thurmaston Lock where it joins the canal once more. The Soar then begins again at Cossington, leading through pretty Mountsorrel Lock with its waterside pub and moorings, towards Barrow-Upon-Soar (with its deep lock) and then Loughborough. At Loughborough you reach a T-junction (under Bridge 39 B) and turn right, joining the Loughborough Navigation (stay to the right) leading past Kegworth and to the River Trent (pay attention to weirs). At the junction turn left on to the River Trent and continue west past Sawley to Derwent Mouth where the Trent & Mersey Canal begins. The village of Shardlow appears soon after and is well worth visiting as it has such an interesting array of canal architecture, with its Heritage Centre, Trent Mill and numerous canalside pubs. Locks appear at regular intervals along the Trent & Mersey, well spread out with no long flights, until Fradley Junction. The route is also interspersed with low aqueducts, adding interest as the canal moves through the countryside until you reach a more urban landscape at Burton-upon-Trent, famous for its many Breweries. After passing the attractive village of Arlewas, you arrive at Fradley Junction. Turn right here, on to the Coventry Canal which leads to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (a stone marks the point where the two meet). Next comes Fazeley Junction where you continue left to Tamworth, through 2 locks and eventually passing the ruins of Alvecote Priory to your right. A long lock-free section follows until you reach the 11 locks at Atherstone, then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hawkesbury Junction (turn left then left again) where there is a stop-lock leading to the North Oxford Canal. Cruise south down the N. Oxford Canal through woodland and fields, passing under the Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton (3 locks). A couple of hours’ cruising south of Hillmorton you’ll find Braunston Village. Turn right at Braunston under the cast-iron bridge and onto the Grand Union Canal, heading towards Napton Junction. After Napton Junction there are 3 locks at Calcutt before you arrive back Stockton Top Marina.
Oxford
Relaxed route: 105 miles, 82 locks, 58 hours.
Follow the ‘relaxing’ weekly route to Banbury – home to Banbury Cross, Banbury Cakes and Ye Olde Reindeer Inn (c. 1570) – shown above, then continue towards the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford. South of Banbury is where the lift bridges start to multiply; they are an iconic sight on this particular canal and many of them are already open for you to pass under, between the fields of cows, sheep and horses. There are just a smattering of locks between here and Lower Heyford, passing Aynho en route. Very close to Lower Heyford, it is possible to stop and visit Rousham House (1635). Through a further two locks you then reach the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ pub with its canalside garden and just south of here the canal meets with the deeper River Cherwell for a while, until you reach lock No. 41 (which is diamond shaped) when it becomes canal once again. After a sharp turn to your right you reach Thrupp with its two very pretty pubs, followed by Kidlington (near Oxford Airport). Past Kidlington towards Oxford the scenery remains lovely and green with a few pretty brick bridges punctuating the canal. After a few more lift bridges and 2 locks you reach the outskirts of Oxford City Centre, with bridge 242 marking the start of more built-up surroundings. Moor up after Aristotle Bridge or Jericho Footbridge free of charge for up to 24 hours and discover Oxford on foot, bike or bus from there. Turn and return to Stockton.
Two weeks cruising via Hatton Flight, Stratford Canal, Rivers Avon and Severn, returning via Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Extra tolls are applicable to this route. Cruising time 68 hours.
Stourport Ring
To Birmingham (Gas Street Basin) via the Hatton Flight and North Stratford, take the Main Line to Wolverhampton, then via the Main Line to Wolverhampton, then via the Staff’s and Worc’s to Stourport on Severn. Down the Severn to Worcester, return via the Tardebigge Flight to Kings Norton. A relaxed cruise with time to stop in Worcester, take trip on the Severn Valley Railway and visit the Avoncroft Museum at Stoke Prior and the Black Country Museum at Dudley.
Three Week Cruise
The Thames Ring
For the trip of a lifetime we can recommend the three week cruise down the Grand Union to London, along the Thames to Oxford returning to Warwick via the Oxford Canal.
Llangollen
In three weeks you can cruise up to the Llangollen canal, boasting scenic beauty and breathtaking engineering in equal measure.
