Canal Holidays in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire
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Short break trip
One week trip
Short Break:
Friday 2.30 to Monday 9.30 a.m. or Monday 2.30p.m.to Friday 9.30a.m.
Route to Norton or Napton
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Heading south from Stretton, the canal runs through woodland and farmland. You will see two of the original cast-iron bridges which are a feature of the northern end of the Oxford Canal . These bridges take the towing path over the arms of the canal which were created when Brindley's original contour line of the canal was altered and shortened by Cubitt and Vignoles.
At Newbold there is a short tunnel, and two public houses which are set at right angles to the canal-further evidence of the straightening works. Almost opposite is the parish church where, in the church yard, you can see the portal of the original tunnel whose position also had to be altered. In total these straightening works removed 15 miles from the distance between Braunston and Coventry .
Soon after Newbold, you will pass another cast-iron bridge over the entrance to Rugby Wharf , and cross the two aqueducts which carry the canal over the River Swift and the Leicester Road.
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As the canal skirts Rugby , the landmark aerials of Rugby Radio Station come into view. Hillmorton Locks are the closest you will be to these giant structures, where the canal climbs up the three pairs of locks to the Braunston level.
After Hillmorton, the canal passes through open, undulating countryside, where you may see kingfisher and heron as well as a vide variety of country flowers. Soon after leaving the long straight section near Barby, the spire of Braunston parish church comes into view.
Braunston is one of the busiest places on the entire canal network, historically significant, and now home to many canal boats and canal related enterprises. Here there is a flight of six wide locks followed by a tunnel. You may wish to travel through to Norton Junction, where the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal joins the main line to London , or you may choose to moor at the bottom of the flight and walk up, crossing the tunnel on the old track used by the canal horses.
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Rather than cruise on to Norton junction, you may decide to stay on the Oxford Canal and journey to Napton, with its famous windmill and flight of locks.
This part of the Oxford Canal was upgraded by the Grand Union Canal Company as part of its plans to permit the passage of wide boats to Birmingham , so you travel along a wider ‘narrow' canal which has wide bridges.
Turn above the locks to begin your journey back to Stretton.
One Week Route
The Ashby Canal
64 miles 2 locks (Total)
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If you want a really gentle week's cruising, this is the journey for you! There is only one shallow lock to be negotiated, and the canal passes through countryside for most of the route.
Heading north from Stretton, the canal and railway run parallel for some time, with the canal on a high embankment looking across towards Coventry . At Hawkesbury Junction you will encounter the only lock on the route, originally constructed to keep apart the water belonging to the rival Oxford and Coventry Canal Companies.
Beyond the lock a wide expanse of water indicates the junction of the two canals. Do not take the turning to Coventry (as the environs of the city can be a little hazardous) but negotiate the turn under the bridge. A few miles further brings you to Marston Junction, where you pass under a bridge carrying the towing path over the entrance to the Ashby Canal .
The housing estates around the junction are soon forgotten as the canal enters remote countryside, with little to disturb the rural tranquillity. There are good mooring sites along this canal, specially built for visiting boats because the canal's shallow sided construction makes mooring alongside the towing path impracticable. All of the pretty villages offer public houses with good restaurants.
For crew members, a visit to the well signposted ancient battleground of Bosworth Field (1485) is a must. The visitors' centre is quite close to the canal, and has much to interest as does the historic town of Market Bosworth . A week's cruise will ensure you have plenty of time to explore these places and still reach the present navigable limit of the navigation at Snarestone. Towards Moira much work is being done to restore to navigation the top portion of the canal which was closed to navigation following the collapse of the canal near Measham.
