Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 51

Short Break Route

Lemington and return (17 locks, 6hrs each way) passing through Stockton locks.

One Week Routes

The south Oxford Canal (towards Oxford and return)

One of the most rural waterways in Britain, passing through beautiful countryside as the canal follows the route to the River Thames.  Climbing the famous Napton Locks you will reach the summit, with stunning views over Warwickshire. At Claydon the canal starts its descent to Oxford, passing through historic Cropredy, then Banbury to join the river Cherwell.

The Four Locks (Snarestone and back, via Braunston & Coventry)

In the South Midlands Wolds it is hard to believe that you can cruise for a week and pass through only four locks but, head for Braunston, and you begin such a journey.  Thread around Rugby, across the infant River Avon and descend the three narrow locks at Hillmorton to arrive on the edge of Coventry.  A skillful sidestep just here leads to Marsden junction and the charmingly isolated Ashby Canal. Twenty lock free miles through open countryside include the battlefield at Bosworth and the chance to visit a working steam railway. All in all an ideal run for those who appreciate the British countryside but don’t want to work too hard to see it.

The Warwickshire Ring (circular route via Braunston, Coventry, Birmingham and Warwick. One week for energetic crews or 2 weeks and include the Ashby Canal)

Following the Four Locks route to join the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury you then join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Fazeley Junction. A gentle climb through the  splendidly isolated Curdworth Locks into Birmingham, an area rich in industrial heritage. Turning south the route heads for Hatton and then the final climb back to base.

The Leicester Line (Leicester and return , via Braunston)

Four cavernous tunnels, three spectacular lock flights and the site of the ingenious Foxton inclined plane, now being restored, are just to name a few of the memorable engineering features on this route through rural Leicestershire. Some consider this one of the most beautiful, rich in wildlife stretches of artificial waterway in Britain.

Shakespeare Country (Stratford and return. One week for experienced or active crew)

This route is both demanding and arduous yet highly rewarding.  Dropping down to Warwick you are met by the awesome sight of Hatton Locks, striding boldly upwards in a 21 lock, 3 hour cruising stairway. Turn left at Kingswood to join the Southern Stratford Canal, a narrow tree-lined and very beautiful waterway culminating in the florid splendour of Bancroft Gardens moments away from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The Grand Union South (to Aylesbury and return)

A few hours from the base you reach Braunston, where you head south towards the rebuilt Blisworth Tunnel. Just beyond its southern portal stands Stoke Bruerne, the ideal among canalside villages and home to the Waterways Museum. Crossing the valley of the Ouze on the aqueduct the canal climbs to Marsworth and its summit level. Beyond lies Berkhampstead, Rickmansworth, Watford, and the descent to the Thames.