Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Long Itchington and Return - 18 miles, 24 locks, 11 hours total
Cruise east through Warwick, passing over two low aqueducts. There are pubs and shops close to the canal which may be a convenient stopping place for your first evening. Continuing out of Warwick there is one more aqueduct then 6 separate, spread out locks. Further east you’ll reach the staircase lock at Bascote and soon afterwards you’ll arrive at Cuttle Bridge (No. 25) with two pubs either side of the canal. From here you can walk in to the village of Long Itchington which has shops and another 4 pubs (taking the road to the left of the canal). After Cuttle Bridge there are 2 locks followed by a turning right called ‘Kayes Arm’, turn around here and return to Warwick, mooring near the boatyard for your last evening.
Intermediate route: Napton Bridge and Return - 27 miles, 46 locks, 17 hours total
Cruise east through Warwick, passing over two low aqueducts then through 6 locks. You’ll find the staircase lock at Bascote then arrive at Cuttle Bridge (No. 25) with two pubs either side of the canal. From here you can walk in to the village of Long Itchington which has shops and another 4 pubs. Cuttle Bridge is followed by the 10-lock Stockton Flight then it is lock-free cruising until you reach 3 locks at Calcutt. Soon after Calcutt you arrive at Napton Junction – cruise under the bridge and turn right, on to the South Oxford Canal. Just before Napton Bridge (No. 111) there is a place to turn around. Slightly further on there is another place to turn around. Just beyond this turning place there is a pub. Next day, make your return to Warwick.
Intermediate route: Braunston and Return - 36 miles, 46 locks, 21 hours total
Suitable to do over a 4 night midweek break. Cruise east through Warwick, passing over three low aqueducts then through 6 locks. You’ll find 4 staircase locks at Bascote then arrive at Cuttle Bridge (No. 25) with two pubs either side of the canal. From here you can walk in to the village of Long Itchington which has shops and another 4 pubs. Cuttle Bridge is followed by the 10-lock Stockton Flight then it’s lock-free until you reach 3 locks at Calcutt. After Calcutt you arrive at Napton Junction – cruise under the bridge and turn left, continuing along the Grand Union Canal to the village of Braunston. There are moorings close to the Boathouse pub and you can walk over the bridge and into the pretty village from there. Turn at the marina and return to Warwick.
Active route: Norton Junction and Return - 44 miles, 58 locks, 25 hours total
Follow the route from Warwick to Braunston above then continue east to the next junction. After Braunston Marina, pass through 6 locks then cruise through the long Braunston Tunnel (2042 yards) stopping at Norton Junction where there is a pub, before turning and then returning to Warwick.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Fenny Compton and Return - 49 miles, 64 locks, 29 hours total
Cruise east through Warwick, passing over two low aqueducts then through 6 locks. You’ll find the staircase lock at Bascote then arrive at Cuttle Bridge (No. 25) with two pubs either side of the canal. From here you can walk in to the village of Long Itchington which has shops and another 4 pubs. Cuttle Bridge is followed by the 10-lock Stockton Flight then its lock-free cruising until you reach 3 locks at Calcutt. Soon after Calcutt you arrive at Napton Junction – cruise under the bridge and turn right, on to the South Oxford Canal. Next comes the 9-lock Napton Flight which stretches for 2 miles between Folly Bridge and Marston Doles Bridge. The route then meanders through countryside and farmland with some tight bends to negotiate, as this is a contour canal following the natural levels 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 a pub which sells limited provisions as well as housing a launderette and hair salon. Straight after Bridge 136 there is a turning point, turn here and return to Warwick.
Intermediate route: Stratford-upon-Avon and Return - 43 miles, 114 locks, 34 hours total
Cruise west through 2 locks at the Cape. Follow the canal round a bend to the right at the Saltisford Arm and up the 21-lock Hatton Flight (with a pub at the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) 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 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.
Intermediate route: The Lapworth Mini Ring (clockwise) - 53 miles, 96 locks, 35 hours total
As before, cruise to Kingswood Junction and turn onto the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Turn right, through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight, to Hockley Heath village. The canal meanders through countryside, changing to suburbs as you get closer to Birmingham. Further ahead is Brandwood Tunnel (352 yards) followed by a ‘Guillotine Lock’ and then King’s Norton Junction, where you turn right and on to the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal. There’s a lock-free stretch all the way into central Birmingham, passing “Cadbury World” at Bourneville, to Gas Street Basin. At the next junction turn right, towards Cambrian Wharf, then through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge and under Aston Road Bridge. Take the next right at Aston Junction down the Digbeth Branch and through 4 locks then a tunnel (103 yards) turning left just before Typhoo Basin and past Bordesley Junction, through the 6 Camp Hill Locks, heading south. The canal then leads through Solihull to Knowle, where there are 5 locks. Bypass Kingswood Junction, continuing south through the Hatton Flight again to Warwick. This route can be done anti-clockwise too, if preferred.
Active route: The Warwickshire Ring - 105 miles, 121 locks, 58 hours total
A real mixture of Countryside and Cityscape. Cruise west through 2 locks at the Cape. Follow the canal round a bend to the right at the Saltisford Arm and up the 21-lock Hatton Flight (with a pub at the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) to Kingswood Junction *. Take a sharp turn left on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, then turn right, heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath village. The canal meanders through countryside, changing to suburbs as you get closer to Birmingham. Further ahead is Brandwood Tunnel (352 yards) followed by a ‘Guillotine Lock’ just before King’s Norton Junction where you turn right, onto the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal. There is a lock-free stretch into central Birmingham, passing “Cadbury World” at Bourneville, to Gas Street Basin. At Deep Cuttings junction turn right towards Cambrian Wharf, then through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge and under Aston Road Bridge. Take the next left at Aston Junction through 11 locks before Salford Junction where you turn right, onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. After Tyburn Bridge there are 3 locks at Minworth then a lock-free stretch until the 11-lock Curdworth flight. 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 stop at Drayton Manor Theme Park en route). At Fazeley Junction turn right, down the Coventry Canal and through 2 locks past Tamworth, eventually arriving at the 11-lock Atherstone Flight. The canal then continues lock-free, passing Marston Junction (with the Ashby Canal) until you turn left, then left again, at Hawkesbury Junction (onto the North Oxford Canal) where you’ll find a “Stop lock”. Cruise south down the N. Oxford Canal passing through Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) It’s lock-free all the way to Hillmorton (3 locks). Just south of Hillmorton is Braunston. Turn right at Braunston under the cast-iron bridge onto the Grand Union Canal, heading towards Napton Junction where you turn right. Next come 3 locks at Calcutt then 10 locks at Stockton, after which you reach Long Itchington (several pubs). From Long Itchington cruise through the 4 locks at Bascote. Five more locks then lead to the outskirts of Warwick. There are another 2 aqueducts before arriving at our Warwick base once again.
*For a slightly shorter option, continue to the right at Kingswood Junction. There are 3 pubs and no locks 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.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Warwickshire Ring - 105 miles, 121 locks, 58 hours total
Same as the ‘Active’ weekly route above, but with time to stop for longer periods to enjoy the places that this route allows you to visit and maybe have some very long, lazy lunches in between. There is a real mixture of countryside & woodland, industrial heritage & cityscape, historical sites & places of interest along this route. The Warwickshire Ring is also suitable for 10 / 11 night holidays.
Intermediate route: Oxford and Return - 105 miles, 121 locks, 58 hours total
Follow the ‘Relaxing’ weekly route to Fenny Compton and then continue south to Banbury - home to Banbury Cross, Banbury Cakes and Ye Olde Reindeer Inn (c. 1570) then proceed towards the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford. South of Banbury the lift bridges start to multiply; they are an iconic sight on this canal and many of them are already open for you to pass under, between the fields of cows, sheep and horses. There are a smattering of locks between here and Lower Heyford, passing Aynho en route. Close to Lower Heyford, it’s possible to stop and visit Rousham House (1635). After two more locks you reach the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ pub with its canalside garden. 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 turn to your right you reach Thrupp with its two very pretty pubs, followed by Kidlington. Between Kidlington and Oxford your surroundings stay lovely and green with 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 urban environs. Moor up after Aristotle Bridge or near Jericho Footbridge free of charge for up to 24 hours and discover Oxford on foot, by bike or bus from there. Turn and return to Warwick.
Active Route: The Avon Ring - 127 miles, 177 locks, 74 hours total
A real mixture of Countryside and Cityscape. Cruise west through 2 locks at the Cape. Follow the canal round a bend to the right at the Saltisford Arm and up the 21-lock Hatton Flight (with a pub at the top). Pass through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) to Kingswood Junction *. Take a sharp turn left on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, then turn right, heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath village. The canal meanders through countryside, changing to suburbs as you get closer to Birmingham. Further ahead is Brandwood Tunnel (352 yards) followed by a ‘Guillotine Lock’ just before King’s Norton Junction where you turn left, onto the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal and through 3 tunnels – Wast Hills (2726 yards), Shortwood (613 yards) and Tardebigge Tunnel (580 yards), passing Alvechurch en route to Tardebigge. A long flight of 30 locks begins at Tardebigge, running through farmland and ending at Stoke Prior. At Astwood there are 5 locks followed by a short tunnel then a further 6 locks at Offerton. As you approach Worcester there are 8 more locks leading into the City Centre (good moorings). After 2 locks and a swing bridge you meet the wide River Severn*, flowing gently south. Turn left, through Diglis Lock, heading past the pretty town of Upton-upon-Severn and towards historic Tewkesbury. At Tewkesbury the lock-keeper will open the Avon Lock*, allowing you access onto the River Avon. Turn left, under the bridge and continue east. The Avon is very scenic with interesting towns and villages alongside it to visit including Pershore, Evesham and Bidford-on-Avon. The Avon has just 16 separate locks (each with a weir alongside) concluding at the Shakespearian town of Stratford-upon-Avon. At Stratford-upon-Avon turn left onto the Canal, up 17 locks and over 2 aqueducts (incl. Edstone Aqueduct) past Wilmcote to Wootton Wawen. Between here and Kingswood Junction (with the Grand Union) the journey includes another 17 locks running regularly through peaceful surroundings, taking around 5 hours to complete. At Kingswood Junction turn right then right again, returning through the Hatton Flight to Warwick.
*Please note that you may need to purchase extra licenses for the River Severn & the River Avon en route.
