Rugby

Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):

Relaxed route: Braunston and Return - 24 miles, 6 locks, 11 hours total
Cruise south down the rural North Oxford Canal, passing some of the ornate cast-iron bridges that mark this waterway. Continue through Newbold Tunnel (250yds) and moor up on the right, next to the two pubs, for your first evening. Rugby is just a short distance further south, where your surroundings become more urban just for a little while. The canal then passes over two aqueducts, meandering through woodland and farmland; lock-free until you reach Hillmorton. Here there are two sets of 3 locks; just one side being open for use. At Hillmorton there is a small bistro (daytime only) and further ahead is a canalside pub, just after bridge 73, with moorings. You then have a long quiet stretch of canal, bordered by countryside without any further locks, until you reach the pretty village of Braunston. Pass the white bridge to your right and moor up. Walk over Bridge 91 and up the hill into the village, where there are shops and pubs, a church, pretty cottages and a windmill without any sails…a decent place to stop for the evening. At breakfast time you may wish to visit the Gongoozler's Rest Café, which is actually on a boat, near the marina. Turn at the marina entrance and return.

Relaxed route: Coventry and Return - 33 miles, 2 locks, 14 hours total
Falls Bridge marina is just north of the Newbold Tunnel (250 yds in length). Cruise north west, away from the tunnel, through tranquil farmland and under a few bridges, whilst you adjust to this slow winding waterway. Brinklow is situated just south of the waterway if you fancy stretching your legs. As you continue your cruise towards Coventry, 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. The first signs of the city starts to appear as you make your way to Hawkesbury Junction. At the junction you cruise onto the Coventry Canal, through the only lock along this route and the last waterfront pub until you reach Coventry which is approximately 5 miles away. Pass Bishop Street Basin, overlooked by attractive old warehouses dating from 1914, making your way to Coventry. The canal is often flanked by buildings as it winds its way towards Coventry Basin, where you can moor to explore the area before making your way back to the marina.

Intermediate route: Norton Junction and Return - 33 miles, 18 locks, 16 hours total

Go through Newbold Tunnel; there are some convenient pubs near the southern portal and useful shops in the village which include a Post Office, a grocers and a butchers. Moor by the firstbridge after the tunnel to access the pubs and shops within a 200 yard walk. After these you can moor in Brownsover for a large choice of retail shops, including a large supermarket, well known fast food outlets and department stores. The next hour on the canal features more woodland, a boatyard and a golf course as the canal skirts attractively around Rugby towards Hillmorton Locks. Go under the railway bridges and Wharf Road bridge and there is a waterside pub and restaurant. It takes just under two hours from the locks to reach the historic canal junction and village at Braunston. There's lots here, a canalside pub and another in the High Street and by the third lock up towards Braunston Tunnel. The High Street has a well stocked, licensed grocery store, Post Office and butchers. Braunston Marina, site of an annual boat show, has been developed and has a shop and various small businesses. Cruise up the six broad locks and through the tunnel to Norton Junction and back. For a route with only 6 locks, don't turn left at Braunston, but carry on down the Oxford Canal, towards Napton and use the winding hole by the canalside pub at Napton Bridge.

Active route: Crick Wharf and Return - 43 miles, 32 locks, 22 hours total

Depart the boatyard and cruise in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. Skirting around Barby Hill through open fields the canal shortly arrives at Braunston Turn, cruise west and pass under the town, where there are plenty of eateries within walking distance up the hill. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yds in length) and the next junction. Cruise north at Norton Junction, onto the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The canal becomes quite winding as it makes it way to Foxton, past a light wooded stretch with the sounds of transportation ever present in the background. Navigate through the Watford Locks and reach the summit level of 412ft. Cruise through Crick Tunnel (1528 yds in length) to arrive at Crick Wharf. You can walk to the town for a meal before turning around and making your journey back.

Weekly Route Suggestions:

Relaxed route: Snarestone and Return - 70 miles, 2 locks, 29 hours total
Head north through tranquil farmland to one of the prettiest canals in the UK. Stopping near the footbridge at Stretton, Brinklow village is a 25 minute walk (west) if you'd like to stretch your legs. Continue north, passing under cast-iron, arched bridges and through woodland. Cruise to Hawkesbury Junction where you'll join the Coventry Canal, turning to the right after the ‘stop-lock'. After a couple of miles you then reach Marston Junction which leads to the scenic, lock-free Ashby Canal. Stop at the town of Hinckley to have a look about, go to the pub or buy provisions; continuing to the village of Stoke Golding which boasts one of the ‘finest churches in Leicestershire' and an excellent farm shop. The canal then meanders its way towards Sutton Cheyney and the nearby Bosworth Battlefield Centre (Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard III was killed by Henry Tudor in 1485). Stop near Bridge 42 to walk into Market Bosworth village (20 mins) then head further north to Shakerstone, where you can board a steam train to travel along the ‘Battlefield Line' or visit the Victorian Tearooms. Next you'll come to the farming village of Snarestone, which sits above a crooked tunnel (250 yards) - the towpath running across the top. Stop at the nearby pub for refreshments then continue to Bridge 61, turning after the bridge to return to Harborough Magna.

Relaxed route: Fenny Compton and Return - 54 miles, 24 locks, 24 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise through Newbold Tunnel in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. A few miles south of Hillmorton, the canal reaches Braunston Turn and the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, once one of the busiest commercial trading points linking with London. Cruise east through agricultural land to Napton Junction which will take you onto the South Oxford Canal past Napton-on-the-Hill. Canal engineer James Brindley built the Oxford Canal in his typical winding fashion, flowing around contours to stay sympathetic to the land. Follow the canal past Folly Bridge where there is a shop for picking up basic provisions and a pub before you make your way through the 9 locks. You can moor at either bridge 124 or 125 and walk into the small village of Priors Hardwick. The canal then arks it way through farmland, and there is another opportunity to stretch your legs at bridge 133, where you can walk into the medieval village of Wormleighton. Fenny Compton Wharf is just 2 miles further along the canal, there is a waterfront pub and moorings should you wish to explore the area before making your return journey.This route can be completed in a midweek break cruising approximately 8-9 hours a day or over a relaxed 7 night break - it is a great introduction to boating if you are looking for a route with very few locks.

Intermediate route: Warwick and Return - 59 miles, 52 locks, 31 hours total
Cruise south through Newbold Tunnel and past the town of Rugby, along the quiet North Oxford Canal. There are three locks at Hillmorton, then the canal is lock free all the way to the canalside village of Braunston. Head west at Braunston, under the cast iron ‘Braunston Turn’ bridge, and continue along the rural Grand Union Canal to Napton Junction. Turn right at Napton, under the bridge, then through 3 locks at Calcutt. Soon you'll reach Stockton Top Marina and pub next door to it. Just past the marina, work your way through the first 8 locks of the Stockton Flight with a pub just after. There are then 2 further locks before Long Itchington village, which has 6 pubs and visitors' moorings. Cruise over a low aqueduct then through the 6 locks at Bascote. A further 5 locks 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. There are another 2 aqueducts before you reach Bridge 48, then at bridge 49 you'll find a boatyard where you can turn around and moor up. The boatyard is close to a main road which leads south to Warwick Castle and the city centre. Return to Harborough Magna.

Intermediate route: Banbury and Return - 79 miles, 48 locks, 39 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. A few miles south of Hillmorton, the canal reaches Braunston Turn and the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, once one of the busiest commercial trading points linking with London. Cruise east through agricultural land to Napton Junction which will take you onto the South Oxford Canal past Napton-on-the-Hill. Canal engineer James Brindley built the Oxford Canal in his typical winding fashion, flowing around contours to stay sympathetic to the land. Follow the canal past Folly Bridge where there is a shop for picking up basic provisions and a pub before you make your way through the 9 locks. You can moor at either bridge 124 or 125 and walk into the small village of Priors Hardwick. The canal then arks it way through farmland, and there is another opportunity to stretch your legs at bridge 133, where you can walk into the medieval village of Wormleighton. Fenny Compton Wharf is just 2 miles along where there is a waterfront pub. The landscape is predominately rolling hills with light wooded stretches as you follow the narrow winding course of the waterway. Passing through Claydon locks you enter the Cherwell Valley to Cropredy, where the quiet stone village flanks the canal to the east. Banbury is just a few miles further along, originally a wool town, there are now some shopping opportunities and places to eat before you turn the boat to return to the marina.

Active route: Market Harborough and Return - 90 miles, 52 locks, 45 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise in a south easterly direction down the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton. Navigate through the three locks at Hillmorton, just past the railway bridge there is a pub for refreshments. Skirting around Barby Hill through open fields the canal shortly arrives at Braunston Turn, cruise west and pass under the town where there are plenty of eateries within walking distance. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yds in length) and the next junction. Cruise north at Norton Junction, onto the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The canal becomes quite winding as it makes it way to Foxton, past a light wooded stretch with the sounds of transportation ever present in the background. Navigate through the Watford Locks and reach the summit level of 412ft. Cruise through Crick Tunnel (1528 yrds in length) to arrive at Crick Wharf. The canal loops past the hilly landscape and under several brick bridges with little signs of habitation until you reach North Kilworth. You can walk into the village for a pub meal. Returning to the boat, you continue cruising in a northerly direction through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1166 yds in length) before returning to unspoilt rural cruising to Foxton. The Foxton Locks are two staircases of five locks, there is a picnic area, a coffee shop and pub - making it a popular attraction with plenty of gongoozlers! After the locks cruise east onto the Market Harborough Arm which runs alongside the hills. There are visitor moorings at Market Harborough so you can moor and explore the market town before turning around and making your return journey.

Fortnight Route Suggestions:

Relaxed route: The Warwickshire Ring - 104 miles, 121 locks, 60 hours total

The Warwickshire Ring is a 100 mile contrasting route of scenery and canal architecture. It includes the northern Grand Union, North Oxford, Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry Canals. Highlights along the Warwickshire Ring include Warwick Castle, which is well worth a day trip, if you have time. Other family activities include Cadbury World, Kingsbury Water Park and Drayton Manor Family Theme Park, which is approximately a 15 minute walk from the canal if you moor by Drayton Manor Bridge. We would recommend cruising clockwise to complete the Hatton Flight near Warwick first, then on your journey back you have less locks to navigate if you need to make up time.

Intermediate route: Oxford and Return - 133 miles, 82 locks, 69 hours total

A popular choice for those looking for a longer break. Leaving the marina, cruise south to Braunston Turn and then west through the pretty countryside to Napton Junction, onto the South Oxford Canal. This canal offers views of farmlands with hedge lined towpaths. Drift past fields of cattle and sheep, twisting and turning with the canal to Cropredy, a quiet village with old brick houses and a couple of pubs. Leaving the village behind cruise along the Cherwell Valley to Banbury town and then the smaller Cotswolds villages of Somerton, Lower Heyford and Thrupp. Oxford City is just south of Duke's Cut (where the canal meets the River Thames). There are moorings close to the end of the navigation near Isis Lock.

Active route: Aylesbury and Return - 146 miles, 114 locks, 74 hours total

Cruise down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston and then head west on the Grand Union Canal, passing south of Braunston, where there are plenty of eateries within walking distance. There is a lock flight of 6 locks before you arrive at Braunston Tunnel (2042 yds in length) and the next junction. Cruise straight to make your way through the flight of 7 locks on the Grand Union Canal. There is a quiet stretch as you cruise past the woods at Brockhall Park until you reach Weedon Bridge, where there is a couple of pubs. Cruise through agricultural land to Gayton Junction and the village of Blisworth, you are now on the way to the Blisworth Tunnel (approximately an hours cruise from the marina). The Blisworth Tunnel is 3057yds long - making it one of the longest tunnels open for navigation in Britain. After successfully navigating this tunnel, you reach the pretty canalside town of Stoke Bruerne, which has a waterfront museum and a selection of eateries. Through the locks at Stoke Bruerne cruise through the varied scenery under stone bridges to Cosgrove and the Great Ouse Aqueduct. Continuing to follow the canal southwards, you skirt the suburbs of Milton Keynes to Leighton Buzzard. At Marsworth you join the Aylesbury Arm which takes you into the centre of the market town where you can stretch your legs and explore before turning around to make your return journey to the marina.