Narrowboat holiday destinations from Kings Orchard Marina, Staffordshire
There’s a great choice of routes from our base at Kings Orchard Marina, on the Coventry Canal in Staffordshire. On a weekend break you can cruise to Drayton Manor Theme Park, Polesworth or Great Haywood. A 4-night mid-week holiday means you can reach Burton on Trent. During a week’s break you can cruise to Nuneaton or Barlaston. And on longer holidays you can complete the Black Country Ring or cruise all the way to Market Drayton.
The 38-mile-long Coventry Canal runs from Coventry Basin to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Fradley. There are 13 locks along it.
The 22-mile-long lock-free Ashby Canal runs from the Coventry Canal at Marston Junction in Warwickshire to Snarestone in Leicestershire. From Carlton Bridge to Snarestone, the canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, supporting aquatic plant life and several varieties of dragonfly.
3-night destinations from Kings Orchard Marina
Drayton Manor and back (16 miles, 0 locks, 7 hours)
Head south along the Coventry Canal, soon passing Huddlesford Junction and the remains of the end of the Wyrley & Essington Canal. The Plough pub is next to the junction. Next you’ll cruise through Whittington, with its Bell Inn and Dog Inn. You’ll travel alongside Hopwas Hays Wood and then the village of Hopwas with its 2 canalside pubs – the Tame Otter and the Red Lion. The scenery is more urban as you approach Fazeley Junction. Cruise on down the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and within 25 minutes you’ll reach Drayton Manor Bridges. Turn around after Coleshill Road Bridge and moor up to visit Drayton Manor Theme Park and Zoo. Return to Kings Orchard Marina.
Polesworth and back (24 miles, 4 locks, 11 hours)
Head south along the Coventry Canal, soon passing Huddlesford Junction and the remains of the end of the Wyrley & Essington Canal. The Plough pub is next to the junction. Next you’ll cruise through Whittington, with its Bell Inn and Dog Inn. You’ll travel alongside Hopwas Hays Wood and then the village of Hopwas with its 2 canalside pubs – the Tame Otter and the Red Lion. The scenery is more urban as you approach Fazeley Junction. Continue along the Coventry Canal, passing over Tame Aqueduct and through the two Glascote Locks. There are moorings just before Bridge 73 where you can moor up to visit Tamworth, once the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia. Soon after you’ll pass the canalside Gate Inn and then Armington, home of the Pretty Pigs pizza and carvery restaurant. Next you’ll pass Alvecote Priory and when you reach Polesworth, you can visit the Bull’s Head pub, 15th century Abbey and the Miners Memorial.
Great Haywood and back (30 miles, 8 locks, 14 hours)
Head north up the Coventry Canal to Fradley Junction and transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal, turning left. You’ll soon pass the village of Armitage and ‘Spode House’. At Rugeley you can moor up to explore the village and Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. When you reach Wolseley Bridge you’ll pass the Wolseley Arms canalside pub and the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. Continue cruising through the Staffordshire countryside, past Little Haywood, where there are a couple of pubs, including the Red Lion and Lamb & Flag. From there you can easily visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate, including its Park Farm Museum. There’s a farm shop and the Clifford Arms at Great Haywood. Turn at Great Haywood Junction and return to Kings Orchard Marina.
4-night routes from Kings Orchard Marina
Burton on Trent and back (27 miles, 22 locks, 15.5 hours)
Head north up the Coventry Canal to Fradley Junction and transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal, turning right. You’ll soon reach the historic village of Alrewas (pronounced ol-re-wus), home of the National Memorial Arboretum, which is accessible from bridges 46, 47 and 48. When you reach Alrewas, moor up to explore the village which dates back to Roman times. You’ll find the Crown and George & Dragon pubs there. Continue north, following the A38 to Barton-under-Needwood and onto Burton upon Trent. Famous for its brewing industry, there’s a great choice of pubs in Burton upon Trent, including The Lord Burton and The Crossing on the High Street.
7-night routes from Kings Orchard Marina
Nuneaton and back (48 miles, 26 locks, 23 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Polesworth and continue cruising through the countryside. At Atherstone, there are 11 locks to go through and there’s a choice of places to shop and eat, including the Chapel House restaurant and canalside King’s Head pub. Navigate on through the Warwickshire countryside and you’ll soon reach Hartshill Country Park, where there’s a Bronze Age hill fort covering 7 acres. When you reach the historic market town of Nuneaton, you can moor up to visit the town’s Heritage Centre, Museum & Art Gallery and Horseshoes pub.
Barlaston and back (57 miles, 34 locks, 30 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Great Haywood and continue cruising north up the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through Hoo Mill Lock and Weston Lock. Moor up at Bridge 80 to visit Weston upon Trent where you’ll find the canalside Saracen’s Head and Woolpack pub in the village. Continue cruising north through the quiet meadows of the Trent Valley. When you reach the historic market town of Stone, moor up below the bottom lock or just past the second lock, to walk into town. Stone, known has the foodie capital of Staffordshire, has a great choice of places to eat and drink, including the canalside Star pub. At Barlaston you’ll find the popular canalside Plume of Feathers pub. Continue under Bridge 103 and turn at the ‘winding hole’ before Bridge 104 to return to Kings Orchard Marina.
10/11-night destinations from Kings Orchard Marina
Snarestone and back (69 miles, 26 locks, 43 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Nuneaton and soon after, transfer onto the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction. When you reach Bulkington Road Bridge No.5, you can moor up just before it and walk to the Corner House in Bedworth. You’ll pass the Lime Kilns pub and soon after, moorings next to Hinckley Wharf, close to local shops. Back into open countryside, after about one hour you’ll reach the village of Stoke Golding, where there are 3 pubs to choose. You’ll soon pass close to the village of Dadlington, with its Dog & Hedgehog pub. At Sutton Cheney Wharf, you can moor up to visit the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park and Hercules Revived. Cruising on through the Leicestershire countryside, you’ll pass close by to the Pottery & Glass Studios and the Battlefield Railway Line at Shenton. Just past Bosworth Wharf, you can moor up to walk into Market Bosworth, where you’ll find a choice of shops and places to eat, including the Batter of Bosworth for fish & chips and the Black Horse for fine dining. Next you’ll pass Congerstone with St Mary’s Church and Horse & Jockey pub. When you reach Shakerstone, you can moor up to explore the village with its Rising Sun pub. After cruising alongside Gopsall Wood, you’ll reach Snarestone where you’ll go through the 250-yard-long Snarestone Tunnel. Turn around after Bridge 61 and moor up to visit the village, with its Globe pub, Alpaca Park Farm and Lodge Farm Ice Cream Shop. Return to Kings Orchard Marina.
The Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 43 hours)
*Please note this route isn’t currently possible due to a breach at Penkridge.
Follow the 3-night route to Drayton Manor Theme Park. Continue along the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and as you approach central Birmingham, you’ll encounter the flight of 11 locks at Curdworth, followed by the 57-yard-long Curdworth Tunnel. Your next turning is at Salford Junction, left under Bridge 110, leading to 11 locks at Aston. You’ll need a T-shaped ‘anti-vandal’ key to unlock the lock gates. Turn right at the Aston Junction where you’ll meet a flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge. This takes you right into the centre of Birmingham to Cambrian Wharf, which is within walking distance of Brindleyplace and city centre attractions. Next, the New Main Line then takes you north through 3 locks and the 103 yard Summit Tunnel. At Tipton Green there are 3 locks and a pub. Then you’ll reach the 360-yard long Coseley Tunnel. A lock-free section then winds its way straight into Wolverhampton.
There are visitor’s moorings just before the first of 21 lock Wolverhampton flight.
Next you’ll cruise to meet the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal at Aldersley Junction. Continue on to Gailey Wharf where you can moor up and walk into the village to the Spread Eagle pub. When you reach the historic market town of Penkridge, you’ll find shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. At Radford Bridge No. 98 you can moor up to walk into Stafford (approx. 1 mile). Pubs in Stafford include the Knot & Plough, and places to visit include The Ancient High House, the largest remaining timber framed house in England. You’ll go through the beautiful Tixall Wide lake section of the canal before reaching Great Haywood Junction. Transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal and head south to Fradley Junction, passing through Cannock Chase and Rugeley along the way. At Fradley, transfer back onto the Coventry Canal return to Kings Orchard Marina.
14-night destinations from Kings Orchard Marina
Market Drayton and back (125 miles, 48 locks, 60 hours)
*Please note this route isn’t currently possible due to a breach at Penkridge.
Follow the 3-night route to Great Haywood Junction and transfer onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll soon reach Tixall Wide – a beautiful stretch of water where the canal widens. When you reach Radford Bridge No. 98 you can moor up to walk into Stafford (approx. 1 mile). Pubs in Stafford include the Knot & Plough, and places to visit include The Ancient High House, the largest remaining timber framed house in England. Continue cruising on through the valley to the historic market town of Penkridge, where you’ll find shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. When you reach Gailey Wharf, you can moor up to walk into the village where you’ll find the Spread Eagle pub.
Next you’ll go through Cross Green and then you’ll reach Autherley Junction.
Transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal and head north. Two hours later you’ll reach the historic village of Brewood, where you’ll find a choice of cafes, shops and pubs, including the Lesters Arms gastropub. You can also visit Speedwell Castle in the market square. Continue cruising north up the Shropshire Union Canal. Travel across Stretton Aqueduct and through one lock at Wheaton Aston, home of the Hartley Arms. The canal then continues lock-free through scenic countryside and woodland. You’ll go through the short Cowley Tunnel (81 yards), then past the edge of Gnosall village with its canalside Boat Inn. Next you’ll cruise along Shelmore Embankment and then you’ll reach Norbury Wharf with its canalside Norbury Junction pub.
Soon after Norbury, you’ll pass under the iconic ‘High Bridge’ and you’ll pass Loynton Moss Nature Reserve. Next you’ll go through the atmospheric Grub Street Cutting and then past the canalside Anchor Inn. At Shebdon you can visit the canalside Wharf pub. Soon after Shebdon, you’ll pass Knighton and Cadbury’s Wharf, from where chocolate crumb used to be transported to Bourneville. You’ll pass the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Common and then you’ll go through Woodseaves Cutting, full of vegetation and wildlife. There are five locks to go through at Tyrley. Moor up at Market Drayton visitors’ moorings and walk into the town, famous for its gingerbread men. Turn just after Bridge 62 and return to Kings Orchard Marina.
The Leicester Ring (154 miles, 101 locks, 78 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Burton upon Trent, famous for its breweries. You’ll then pass over 6 small aqueducts before arriving at Willington, where there are visitor moorings near landscaped gardens. As you travel through Swarkestone and Weston-on-Trent the canal runs alongside the River Trent. The pretty village of Shardlow appears soon, with its Heritage Centre, Trent Mill and choice of pubs, including the Navigation Inn and Dog & Duck. Just after Derwent Mouth Lock you meet the River Trent for a short while, where it joins the River Soar at Trent Lock.
Heading south onto the River Soar, you will need to steer clear of Thrumpton Weir. Travelling through Kegworth you’ll pass The Otter riverside pub and then after a couple of locks, you’ll arrive at Loughborough. Here the navigation meets the Leicester section of the Grand Union Canal. Continuing through Mountsorrel Lock with its Waterside Inn, and Cossington Lock past Watermead Country Park. You’ll go through another 6 locks and then you’ll reach Leicester city centre. You can moor up to explore the city, including Leicester Cathedral where Richard III has now been laid to rest.
After Leicester, travel through 12 well spaced-out locks before reaching a flight of 7 at Kilby.
There is then a small flight of 5 locks before the 880-yard-long Saddington 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. Then you’ll go through the 1,166-yard-long Husbands Bosworth Tunnel. Continuing through hilly Leicestershire landscapes you’ll reach North Kilworth, home of the White Lion pub. From Crick Wharf you can walk into the village of Crick, home of the Red Lion and Wheatsheaf pubs and a village shop. Then you’ll go through the 1,528-yard-long Crick Tunnel. After that you’ll reach the Watford flight of 7 locks, taking you down to Norton Junction. Turn right and head to Braunston. Go through the 2,042-yard-long Braunston Tunnel and then through 6 locks. There’s a choice of places to eat in the pretty canal village of Braunston, including the canalside Admiral Nelson and The Plough in the village centre up on the hill.
At the Braunston Turn, head right up the North Oxford Canal. Go through the 3 locks at Hillmorton and then it’s completely lock-free until you reach the flight of 11 at Atherstone. Continue past Tamworth and then head north at Fazeley Junction to returto King’s Orchard marina.
