Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 52 on the Leicester Ring
Cruise on the rivers and canals of four counties in the East Midlands
About the location
Base 52 is situated on the 20 mile lock free summit of the beautiful and rural Leicester section of the Grand Union Canal in between two of the most impressive staircase locks in the UK - Watford locks and the 10- rise Foxton flight.
The base is run by one of the UK's largest boat operators and offers a range of boats for short break hires and longer.
Routes from this base
Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.
Short break routes (3 - 4 nights)
Foxton and Return
Foxton to the north of the base has 10-lockss, museum and England’s only inclined boat plane which is being restored at present. Foxton is the most visited tourist spot in Leicestershire and has two lockside pubs, a shop and a boat yard. If time permits cruise on the Market Harborough arm to the historic town of Market Harborough - 2 hours each way.
Norton and Braunston and Return
Cruise south through the Crick Tunnel to Crick village, and on to Norton Junction. Perhaps continue to the canal village of Braunston with its shops and pubs.
One week routes
Rugby and Return
The main line Grand Union Canal is approximately 6 to 7 hours cruising from base to Norton Junction. Braunston is about 3 hours west of Norton Junction and is probably the most historic canal centre in England. It is then a short cruise to Rugby up the North Oxford Canal or further to Coventry (an extra 12 hours return)
Stoke Bruerne and Return
At Norton junction south of the base turn south. Navigating the Long Buckby flight will eventually take you to Stoke Bruerne, one of the prettiest and interesting villages on the whole canal system, with its excellent Canal Museum.
Two week routes
Oxford and Return
Cruise to Braunston, then take the rural South Oxford Canal through the village of Cropredy to Oxford.
