Narrowboat holiday destinations from Gayton, near Northampton
On a weekend break from Gayton in Northamptonshire, you can cruise along the Grand Union Canal to Cosgrove or Braunston and back. With a mid-week break you can head to Fenny Stratford on the Oxford Canal or Crick on the Leicester Line. During a week-long holiday you can cruise to Leighton Buzzard, Coventry, Market Harborough or Warwick. On longer breaks you can reach Aylesbury, Leicester and Oxford, or complete the Warwickshire Ring.
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 Gayton
Cosgrove and back (21 miles, 16 locks, 11 hours)
Head south through the Northamptonshire countryside to the Blisworth Tunnel (approximately 1-hour away). 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, including the Boat Inn. Go through the seven locks at Stoke Bruerne and on to Thrupp Wharf, where you’ll find the canalside Navigation Inn. 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 Gayton.
Braunston and back (34 miles, 26 locks, 15 hours)
Head north-west from Gayton passing open fields. Moor near Bugbrooke Wharf Bridge 36 to visit the Bakers Arms pub in the village. Next you’ll pass the Narrow Boat pub at Stowehill Wharf. Then you’ll go through Weedon, past Wilton and up the 7 locks at Long Buckby on to Norton Junction, home of the 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. Turn around at the Marina entrance and return to Gayton.
4-night destinations from Gayton
Fenny Stratford and back (43 miles, 18 locks, 18 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Cosgrove and continue heading south along the Grand Union Canal. 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. Turn after pipe bridge No. 96 and return to Gayton.
Crick and back (35 miles, 28 locks, 17 hours)
Head north-west from Gayton passing open fields. Moor near Bugbrooke Wharf Bridge 36 to visit the Bakers Arms pub in the village. Next you’ll pass the Narrow Boat pub at Stowehill Wharf. Then you’ll go through Weedon, past Wilton and up the 7 locks at Long Buckby on to Norton Junction, home of the New Inn. Transfer onto 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. Turn your boat around at the winding hole at Crack’s Hill, just north of the village and return to Gayton.
7-night destinations from Gayton
Leighton Buzzard and back (59 Miles, 28 locks, 25 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Fenny Stratford and continue cruising south along the Grand Union Canal. 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 your boat around just after Bridge 114 and return to Gayton.
Coventry and back (90 miles, 34 locks, 38 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Braunston and at the Braunston Turn, head 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 3 locks, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help. Moor up to explore the village, where you’ll find The Stag & Pheasant pub and a village shop. 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 Gayton.
Market Harborough and back (82 miles, 48 locks, 39 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Crick and continue cruising through the countryside. The canal 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. Continue through hilly Leicestershire landscapes and 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. Transfer 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. Turn your boat around in the basin and return to Gayton.
Warwick and back (69 miles, 72 locks, 37 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Braunston and at the Braunston Turn, head left along the Grand Union Canal towards Napton. After around two lock-free hours you’ll reach the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. Moor up just before Napton Junction to explore the village, where you’ll find an excellent village shop and bakery, and the Folly and King’s Head pubs. At Napton Junction, take the turn to continue cruising along the Grand Union Canal towards Stockton. You’ll soon reach the 3 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. Turn around and return to Gayton.
10-11-night destinations from Gayton
Aylesbury and back (88 miles, 82 locks, 46 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Leighton Buzzard and continue cruising south along the Grand Union Canal.
When you reach Marsworth Junction turn to the right and you’ll cruise through the Tring Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are paths to explore and the Water’s Edge Café at Marsworth to visit. You’ll pass the entrance to the Wendover Arm and soon after Bulbourne Workshops and the Grand Junction Arms. Keep heading south and turn onto the Aylesbury Arm which takes you into the centre of the market town of Aylesbury. There’s a choice of places to eat in Aylesbury and you can visit the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery.
Aynho and back (102 miles, 78 locks, 51 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Braunston and at the Braunston Turn, head left along the Grand Union Canal towards Napton. After around two lock-free hours you’ll reach the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. Moor up just before Napton Junction to explore the village, where you’ll find an excellent village shop and bakery, and the Folly and King’s Head pubs. 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.
The next 3 hours cruising are lock free. When you reach Bridge 136 at Fenny Compton, you’ll find the canalside Wharf Inn next to it. Continue heading south along the Oxford Canal. You’ll go through Fenny Compton Tunnel and the Claydon Flight of five locks. In the village of Claydon, you’ll find the Grand Museum of Bygones. There are 3 more locks before you reach Cropredy Lock. In the pretty village of Cropredy, famous for its annual folk music festival The Fairport Convention, you’ll find the Brasenose Arms.
When you reach 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. South of Banbury there’s a series of lift bridges to operate and pass under. Stop near the village of Aynho and take the 20-minute walk into the village to visit the Great Western Arms. Turn round and head back to Gayton.
14-night destinations from Gayton
Leicester and back (107 miles, 96 locks, 58 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 King Richard III has now been laid to rest.
Oxford and back (142 miles, 102 locks, 73 hours)
Follow the 10/11-night route to Aynho and continue heading south along the Oxford Canal. At Upper Heyford you’ll find the Barley Mow pub and at Lower Heyford you can moor up to visit visit Rousham House & Gardens. Continue south and at Thrupp you’ll find the Boat Inn and Jolly Boatman canalside pubs. After passing through Kidlington you’ll reach the outskirts of Oxford city centre. Moor up after Aristotle Bridge or Jericho Footbridge and walk into Oxford. Turn and return to Gayton.
The Warwickshire Ring (139 miles, 157 locks, 75 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Warwick and after you’ve passed the Saltisford Arm you’ll soon reach the bottom of the magnificent 21-lock Hatton Flight, with the Hatton Arms pub at the top. Next you’ll go through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) and on lock-free to Kingswood Junction, also known as Lapworth Link. Here there is a very sharp turn to the left under a footbridge leading to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Turn right, heading north through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath village. 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 3 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 2 hours later you’ll reach the Braunston Turn, where you can transfer back onto the Grand Union Canal and return to Gayton.
