Short Break Cruises from Napton Marina

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Short Break Cruises

Friday To Monday Short Breaks

South Oxford Canal
36 locks
The South Oxford Canal has single locks (wide enough for just one boat) which are easy to operate and either grouped in small flights or well spaced. The countryside consists of gently rolling hills with panoramic views. A suggested route would be as follows:
Friday
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and proceed to The Folly Pub and moor for the night
Saturday
Start early and tackle Napton flight of locks, then enjoy 4 hours of lock free cruising, stopping at The Wharf at Fenny Compton for lunch. Continue through Claydon flight to Cropredy and moor in the village where there are two pubs, The Red Lion and The Brasenose Arms and a grocery shop
Sunday
Turn at Cropredy and retrace your steps aiming to moor below Napton flight for the night
Monday
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Pearsons Oxford - Grand Union - Thames Guide

Pearson's Canal Companion Guidebook

Two routes between the midlands and the south-east are at the heart of this Canal Companion, with the delightful upper reaches of the River Thames thrown in for good measure. The Oxford Canal features in its entirety, all the way from the outskirts of Coventry to the City of Dreaming Spires, one of the most beautiful canals in the country, whilst its towpath is a designated long distance foot path too.

Coverage of the mighty Grand Union commences at the canal centre of Braunston in Northamptonshire and runs all the way down to Brentford

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More information from Canal & River Trust
North Oxford Canal
6 locks
2 tunnel(s)
The North Oxford Canal is largely lock free, although there are 3 pairs of single locks at Hillmorton, just before Rugby. The route offers variety of both countryside and town:
Friday
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and proceed to Braunston where you can moor for the night and visit one of the excellent pubs in the village
Saturday
Turn at Braunston Marina and head north past Braunston Junction. Continue towards Rugby, operating the locks at Hillmorton. Moor on the visitor moorings at Rugby and take a bus into the town
Sunday
Return towards Napton, mooring between Napton and Braunston for the night
Monday
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Pearsons Oxford - Grand Union - Thames Guide

Pearson's Canal Companion Guidebook

Two routes between the midlands and the south-east are at the heart of this Canal Companion, with the delightful upper reaches of the River Thames thrown in for good measure. The Oxford Canal features in its entirety, all the way from the outskirts of Coventry to the City of Dreaming Spires, one of the most beautiful canals in the country, whilst its towpath is a designated long distance foot path too.

Coverage of the mighty Grand Union commences at the canal centre of Braunston in Northamptonshire and runs all the way down to Brentford

Buy this guide on Amazon.

More information from Canal & River Trust
Grand Union South
26 locks
This route takes you through the village of Braunston which has historically been associated with the canals and is still an important centre of the network. The locks are double (two boats can use them together) and are mostly grouped in flights. Braunston tunnel is an exciting feature of this route:
Friday
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and proceed to Braunston where you can moor for the night and visit one of the excellent pubs in the village
Saturday
Proceed through Braunston locks and then through the tunnel. You might like to moor below the first lock on the Buckby flight to lunch at the New Inn. Continue to Weedon for the wide range of antique shops, pubs and take away food or continue to Gayton junction if time allows
Sunday
Return towards Napton, mooring between Napton and Braunston for the night
Monday
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Pearsons Oxford - Grand Union - Thames Guide

Pearson's Canal Companion Guidebook

Two routes between the midlands and the south-east are at the heart of this Canal Companion, with the delightful upper reaches of the River Thames thrown in for good measure. The Oxford Canal features in its entirety, all the way from the outskirts of Coventry to the City of Dreaming Spires, one of the most beautiful canals in the country, whilst its towpath is a designated long distance foot path too.

Coverage of the mighty Grand Union commences at the canal centre of Braunston in Northamptonshire and runs all the way down to Brentford

Buy this guide on Amazon.

More information from Canal & River Trust
Grand Union North
46 locks
This route includes double locks which are divided between flights and a few isolated locks. It is quite energetic, but well worthwhile.
Friday
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and pass through Calcutt locks on route for Stockton locks. Negotiate the locks and moor below the flight to visit either Blue Lias, Cuttle or Two Boats pubs
Saturday
Continue towards Warwick via Bascote staircase locks and others, arriving at Leamington for lunch before mooring at Warwick for the night.
Sunday
Return from Warwick, mooring between Stockton and Calcutt locks for the night, perhaps visiting the Boat Inn
Monday
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Pearsons South Midlands Guide

Pearson's Canal Companion Guidebook

With the Warwickshire Ring at its heart, this Canal Companion covers the canal network to the south and east of Birmingham. Routes covered include: Grand Union Canal (Braunston-Birmingham); Birmingham & Fazeley Canal; Coventry Canal; Oxford Canal (Hawkesbury-Napton; Ashby Canal; Worcester & Birmingham Canal (Tardebigge-Birmingham); Trent & Mersey Canal (Derwent Mouth-Fradley) and Stratford upon Avon Canal.

Buy this guide on Amazon.

More information from Canal & River Trust
Grand Union Leicester Arm
26 locks
2 tunnel(s)
This route takes you through the village of Braunston which has historically been associated with the canals and is still an important centre of the network. The locks are double (two boats can use them together) and are mostly grouped in flights. Braunston and Crick tunnels are exciting features of this route
Friday
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and proceed to Braunston where you can moor for the night and visit one of the excellent pubs in the village.
Saturday
After passing through Braunston locks and tunnel, turn left onto the Leicester Arm at Norton Junction. Enjoy the spectacle of Watford staircase, followed by Crick Tunnel, mooring at Crick for the night, the village being a short walk away
Sunday
Return, mooring at the end of the Leicester Arm to visit the New Inn for lunch, then mooring for the night between Braunston and Napton.
Monday
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Pearsons Oxford - Grand Union - Thames Guide

Pearson's Canal Companion Guidebook

Two routes between the midlands and the south-east are at the heart of this Canal Companion, with the delightful upper reaches of the River Thames thrown in for good measure. The Oxford Canal features in its entirety, all the way from the outskirts of Coventry to the City of Dreaming Spires, one of the most beautiful canals in the country, whilst its towpath is a designated long distance foot path too.

Coverage of the mighty Grand Union commences at the canal centre of Braunston in Northamptonshire and runs all the way down to Brentford

Buy this guide on Amazon.

More information from Canal & River Trust