Canal boat holiday destinations from Weedon, on the Grand Union Canal

Our canal boat hire base at Weedon in Northamptonshire is perfectly placed to explore the Grand Union Canal, and the Leicester and Warwickshire rings.

The 137-mile long Grand Union Canal links the River Thames at Brentford with Birmingham city centre. There are 158 locks along its length and seven arms linking to Paddington, Slough, Wendover, Aylesbury, Northampton, Leicester and Market Harborough.

3-night destinations from Weedon

Thrupp Wharf and back (33 miles, 14 locks, 14 hours)

Head south along the Grand Union Canal, passing the Narrow Boat pub at Stowehill Wharf. Moor near Bugbrooke Wharf Bridge 36 on your first night. You’ll find The Bakers Arms pub in the village.  Continue past Gayton Junction, where the Northampton Arm branches off.

Cruise through the 1.74-mile long Blisworth Tunnel into the picturesque ‘canal village’ of Stoke Bruerne, home of the Canal & River Trust’s Canal Museum. There’s a choice of canalside pubs. Go through the seven locks and on to Thrupp Wharf, where you’ll find the canalside Navigation Inn. Turn before bridge 64 and return to Weedon.

Cosgrove and back (36 miles, 16 locks, 16 hours)

Follow the route to Thrupp Wharf and continue heading south along the Grand Union Canal to the village of Cosgrove. You can moor up to explore the Ouse Valley Park and Site of Wolverton Medieval Village. And visit the Barley Mow pub.  Go across the impressive Iron Trunk Aqueduct and then turn your boat around to return to Weedon.

Napton and back (31 miles, 26 locks, 14.5 hours)

Head north along the Grand Union Canal past Wilton and up the seven locks at Long Buckby. Moor at Norton Junction, home of the canalside New Inn. Go through the 1.16-mile long Braunston Tunnel and then through the six locks that take you into pretty canal village of Braunston. There you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson. You can walk up the hill into the village from Bridge 91 where you’ll find the Plough Inn, village shop and a fish & chip shop. At the Braunston Turn junction stay left and continue west along the Grand Union Canal. After around two lock-free hours you’ll reach the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. Turn your boat around just before the bridge, ready to return to Weedon, and then moor up close to Napton Junction to explore the village. You’ll find an excellent village shop and bakery, and the Folly and King’s Head pubs.

4-night destinations from Weedon

Hillmorton and back (34 miles, 32 locks, 17.5 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Braunston and at the Braunston Turn junction head right to head north up the North Oxford Canal. This stretch is lock-free until you reach Hillmorton. There’s is a pub near Wharf Bridge (No. 73) before you continue north to Hillmorton. Go through the three locks, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help.  Turn the boat around and moor up to explore the village, where you’ll find The Stag & Pheasant pub and a village shop.

Welford and back (44 miles, 30 locks, 22 hours)

Head north along the Grand Union Canal and go the seven locks at Long Buckby. At Norton Junction you’ll find the canalside New Inn.  Continue on, turning right to go up the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal. At the village of Watford there are 7 locks including a small staircase flight going through the Watford Gap in the hills. Pass through the 1,528-yard long Crick Tunnel and at Crick Wharf you can moor up to take the 15-minute walk into the village of Crick.  There you’ll find the Red Lion and Wheatsheaf pubs, and a village shop.

The canal then meanders along past the village of Yelvertoft and after crossing a short aqueduct you’ll arrive at Welford Junction. Turn right onto the Welford Arm. After just one lock you’ll arrive at Welford. The village has a local shop, cafe and the canalside Wharf Inn pub. Turn and return to Weedon.

7-night destinations from Weedon

Linslade and back (73 miles, 28 locks, 30 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Cosgrove. After the Iron Trunk Aqueduct it gradually becomes more urban as you skirt around Milton Keynes and arrive at Lindford Wharf.  You can moor up and walk into Great Lindford to the Nags Head pub with thatched roof. There’s also the canalside Black Horse pub at Great Linford and Linford Lakes Nature Reserve to visit. Gullivers World is also nearby. Continue heading south along the Grand Union Canal through Milton Keynes. You’ll find the Red Lion canalside pub at Fenny Stratford.

At Water Eaton Mill the scenery returns to woodland and countryside. You’ll pass the canalside Three Locks pub at Soulbury, close the village of Stoke Hammond. A little further south you pass through Leighton Lock and you’ll arrive at Linslade and Leighton Buzzard, either side of the canal.  There’s a choice of places to eat and shop and there’s an arts centre at next to Waitrose. Turn around after Bridge 114 and return to Weedon.

Coventry and back (75 miles, 34 locks, 35 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Hillmorton and continue heading north up the North Oxford Canal. The canal then meanders around the outskirts of Rugby. Shops can be found south of bridge 59.  You’ll cross the River Avon just before the Rugby Arm branches to the left.  At Newbold there’s a small tunnel at Newbold on Avon and the village is pretty with a choice of pubs, including the canalside Barley Mow.

Soon after at Stretton Stop, you can moor up and walk 20 minutes into the village of Brinklow. There’s a choice of pubs in Brinklow, including the Bulls Head. Continue through open countryside and at Hawkesbury Junction there’s a sharp bend and a stop-lock before you meet the Coventry Canal.

Turn left at the junction, cruising through the suburbs and passing a series of art works that make up the Coventry Canal Art Trail. These include The Journeyman by Stephen Hitchin, depicting the range of tools used by the ‘Navvies’ in the construction of the canal, mounted on a decorated cast bronze column. Moor up in Coventry Basin to explore this city, including some wonderful medieval buildings and Coventry Cathedral. Turn here and return to Weedon.

Market Harborough and back (67 miles, 48 locks, 36 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Welford and continue along the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line.  Continuing on through hilly Leicestershire landscapes you’ll reach North Kilworth, home of the White Lion pub.  After that you’ll go through the 1,166-yard long Husbands Bosworth Tunnel. When you reach Foxton Locks, you’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping boaters negotiate the two staircases of five locks.

There’s a small museum dedicated to the Foxton Inclined Boat Lift that once operated there, and a choice of pubs. Continue on, transferring onto the Market Harborough Arm, with amazing views of the Laughton Hills. Turn your boat around in the canal basin and moor up to explore the historic town of Market Harborough, where there are regular markets, and a range of independent shops and restaurants.

10 or 11-night destinations from Weedon

Kingswood Junction and back (72 miles, 118 locks, 45 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Napton Junction and turn right, heading north along the Grand Union Canal.  You’ll soon reach the three locks at Calcutt, then Stockton Top Lock Marina. Go down the 8 locks of the Stockton Flight and you’ll find the canalside Blue Lias pub at the bottom. After two more locks, you’ll reach the pretty village of Itchington, with a choice of pubs, including The Duck on the Pond and canalside Two Boats.

Cruise on through the Warwickshire countryside and through the six locks at Bascote. There are five more locks, including the three Fosse Locks, where the Roman Fosse Way meets the canal.  The canal then runs through the outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa, with shops and pubs within walking distance of the canal.

Near bridge 49 you can moor up to visit Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience. There are two locks before the Saltisford Arm to your left. Turn right and you’ll soon reach the magnificent 21-lock Hatton Flight, with the Hatton Arms pub near the top.  Next you’ll go through the 433-yard long Shrewley Tunnel. You’ll pass the Tom O’The Wood pub at Rowington. When you reach Kingswood Junction, turn around to make the return journey.

14-night destinations from Weedon

Oxford and back (128 miles, 102 locks, 69 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Napton and then turn left to head south along the South Oxford Canal. Go through the nine-lock Napton Flight, which stretches for two miles between Folly Bridge and Marston Doles Bridge.  This contour canal meanders on through countryside and farmland with a few tight bends to negotiate at times. When you reach Bridge 136 at Fenny Compton, you’ll find the canalside Wharf Inn next to it.

After passing through Fenny Compton Tunnel you’ll reach the Claydon Flight of five locks. In the village of Claydon, you’ll find the quaint Marton Museum of Country Bygones. There are three more locks before you reach Cropredy Lock. In the village of Cropredy, famous for its annual folk music festival The Fairport Convention, you’ll find the Brasenose Arms.

Continue cruising south, alongside the River Cherwell. There are three more locks before you reach the outskirts of Banbury. You’ll find a lift bridge, over looked by shops and restaurants, then Banbury Lock, next to Tooley’s Boatyard Museum. Moor up where possible just after Albion Bridge 166 and walk into the town, famous for its Banbury Cross and Ye Olde Reindeer Inn. Next there are lots of lift bridges to negotiate, but many will already be open for you.

Winding on through the Oxfordshire countryside, you’ll pass through and close by to a series of hamlets and villages with historic pubs, including the Barley Mow at Upper Heyford and the Dashwood Arms at Kirtlington. You can stop at Lower Heyford to visit Rousham House and gardens.

You’ll find the canalside Boat Inn and the Jolly Boatman at Thrupp. Next you’ll go through Kidlington and after a few more lift bridges and two locks you reach the outskirts of Oxford City Centre.  Moor up after Aristotle Bridge or Jericho Footbridge free of charge for up to 24 hours and walk into Oxford city centre. This world famous city has so much to explore, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Library. You can turn the boat around next to Isis Lock.

The Warwickshire Ring (124 miles, 147 locks, 71 hours)

Follow the 10 or 11-night route to Kingswood Junction and turn left, under the bridge and on to the Lapworth Link. Then right onto the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.  Heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath.

Towards the top of the North Stratford Canal is the 352-yard long Brandwood Tunnel, followed by a ‘Guillotine Lock’ and then King’s Norton Junction. Turn right on to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There is then a lock-free stretch all the way into central Birmingham. You’ll pass Cadbury’s World at Bournville. When you reach Gas Street Basin you can moor up to explore city centre attractions, including the Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace. At the next junction turn right towards Cambrian Wharf then go down the 13 locks at Farmers Bridge.

Take the next left at Aston Junction and go through 11 more locks before Salford Junction where you turn right on to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. After Tyburn Bridge there are three locks at Minworth. At the bottom of the flight you’ll find the canalside Hare & Hounds pub. At the 11 locks at Curdworth you’ll find the Dog & Doublet pub next to Lock 9 and the White Horse pub in the village. Kingsbury Water Park is also nearby. Between Salford Junction and Curdworth bottom lock there are pubs and shops within walking distance. At Fazeley Junction turn right to connect with the Coventry Canal.

You’ll go through 2 locks past Tamworth and Polesworth, and next you’ll tackle the 11 locks at Atherstone. The canal then continues lock-free, passing Marston Junction, where the Coventry Canal meets the Ashby Canal. Turn left and left again at Hawkesbury Junction and cruise down the North Oxford Canal.  You’ll pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton. There are three locks at Hillmorton, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help.  The Stag & Pheasant pub is in the village, and there’s a village shop. Around two hours later you’ll reach the Braunston Turn. Get back onto the Grand Union Canal and return to Weedon.

The Leicester Ring (165 miles, 115 locks, 82 hours)

Follow the 7-night route almost to Market Harborough, but after Foxton Locks, instead of turning right to Market Harborough, turn left. Go through the 880-yard long Saddington Tunnel. Between Saddington Tunnel and Crow Mills Bridge (No. 92) there are 13 locks running through the Leicestershire countryside.

As you go through the suburbs of Leicester you’ll navigate 12 more locks before you reach the city centre. You can moor up to explore the city, including Leicester Cathedral where Richard III has now been laid to rest. At Belgrave Lock the canal meets the River Soar, which meanders through the outskirts of the city until it re-joins the canal at Thurmaston Lock. The Soar then begins again at Cossington. You’ll go through Mountsorrel Lock with its Waterside Inn.

There’s a deep lock at Barrow-Upon-Soar. At Loughborough you reach a T-junction (under Bridge 39 B) and turn right, joining the Loughborough Navigation (stay to the right). You’ll go past Kegworth and to the River Trent (pay attention to weirs). At the junction turn left on to the River Trent and continue west past Sawley to Derwent Mouth, where the Trent & Mersey Canal begins. The pretty village of Shardlow appears soon, with its Heritage Centre, Trent Mill and choice of pubs, including the Navigation Inn and Dog & Duck.

Further along, you’ll pass through Burton-upon-Trent, famous for its many Breweries. After passing through the village of Arlewas, home of the Crown community pub, you’ll arrive at Fradley Junction, home of the Swan Inn and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Turn right here, on to the Coventry Canal which leads to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Next comes Fazeley Junction where you continue left to Tamworth. You’ll go through two locks and you’ll pass by the ruins of Alvecote Priory.

A long lock-free section follows until you reach the 11 locks at Atherstone, home of the White Horse pub. Then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hawkesbury Junction (turn left then left again) where there is a stop-lock leading to the North Oxford Canal. Cruise south down through woodland and fields.

You’ll pass through Newbold Tunnel (250 yards) then it’s lock-free again all the way to Hillmorton. There are three locks at Hillmorton, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help.  The Stag & Pheasant pub is in the village, and there’s a village shop. Around two hours later you’ll reach the Braunston Turn. Transfer back onto the Grand Union Canal and return to Weedon.