Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Lower Heyford on the Oxford Canal

Our Lower Heyford narrow boat hire base in Oxfordshire is on the South Oxford Canal. You can head south through the Oxfordshire countryside for a weekend city break in Oxford, or head north to Banbury and Cropredy. On longer breaks, you can transfer onto the River Thames at Oxford, or the Grand Union Canal at Napton.

The 77.5-mile-long Oxford Canal links the City of Oxford and the River Thames with the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction. It’s a narrow canal with 46 locks.

The mighty River Thames, England’s longest river, has been used for transportation since prehistoric times. It runs 215 miles from its source at Thames Head in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary where it flows into the sea. It links Lechlade in the Cotswolds with the tidal Thames at Teddington.

3-night destinations from Lower Heyford

Banbury and back (26 miles, 16 locks, 14.5 hours)

Head north up the Oxford Canal, cruising through the Cherwell Valley, with open farmland and water meadows. You’ll soon pass through Upper Heyford with its thatched cottages and Barley Mow pub. Continue through the village of Somerton and on through Somerton Deep Lock. When you reach Aynho Wharf you’ll see the canalside Great Western Arms and you can walk into the village to visit the Cartwright Hotel. Continue cruising through the Oxfordshire countryside, negotiating a series of lift bridges. When you reach Banbury, you can moor up in the town centre to visit Tooley’s Boatyard Museum, the Market Place and walk through the Old Town to see the famous Banbury Cross. Turn at Grimsby Wharf and return to Lower Heyford.

Oxford and back (29 miles, 20 locks, 16 hours)

Start your journey heading south along the Oxford Canal, cruising through pretty farmland and woodland areas. 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.

4-night destinations from Lower Heyford

Cropredy and back (34 miles, 22 locks, 19 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Banbury and continue heading up the Oxford Canal. There are three mor locks to go through and you can turn your boat around just before Bridge 153. Then moor up to explore this pretty village, famous for its annual folk music festival The Fairport Convention and the Battle of Cropredy in 1644. You’ll find the Brasenose Arms in the village.

7-night destinations from Lower Heyford

Lechlade and back (81 miles, 38 locks, 36.5 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Oxford and transfer onto the River Thames at Isis Lock. You’ll need an extra licence to cruise the River Thames. Head north on the River Thames and you’ll soon reach Godstow Lock, next to the ruins of Godstow Abbey and a short walk from The Trout Inn. Next you’ll go through King’s Lock and then you’ll pass the outskirts of Wytham Great Wood. A short walk from Eynsham Lock you’ll find the Talbot Inn. Pass through Pinkhill Lock and scenic open countryside and then you’ll pass the Ferryman Inn at Bablock Hythe.

After Northmoor Lock you’ll pass the Maybush pub at Newbridge. Continue cruising through the countryside, passing through three more locks before you reach the small hamlet of Radcot. Cruise under the impressive triple-arched 13th Century stone bridge and continue through beautiful countryside to the pristine village of Kelmscott. There you can moor up to visit the William Morris’s Kelmscott Manor and the Plough Inn. The river meanders its way to St John’s Lock. Once you’ve been through the lock you can moor up to visit the pretty Cotswold market town of Lechlade with a choice of pubs and cafes. Turn at one of the boat yards and return to Lower Heyford.

Napton and back (70 miles, 58 locks, 39 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Cropredy and continue heading north up the Oxford Canal. You’ll go through three locks before you reach the village of Claydon, home of the quaint Marton Museum of Country Bygones. And there are five locks at Claydon. When you reach Bridge 136 at Fenny Compton, you’ll find the canalside Wharf Inn.

This contour canal meanders on through countryside and farmland with a few tight bends to negotiate at times. Continue through the countryside and the nine-lock Napton Flight, which stretches for 2 miles between Marston Doles and Folly Bridge. Moor up by Napton Bottom Lock to walk into the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. The village has several shops and pubs, including the King’s Head and the Folly. It also has an excellent village shop and baker and a beautiful 13th Century church. Turn at the winding hole north of Napton Bottom Lock and return to Lower Heyford.

Braunston and back (80 miles, 58 locks, 42 hours)

Follow the route to Napton and at Napton Junction, join onto the Grand Union Canal heading east. Cruise through peaceful, quiet countryside. When you reach Braunston Junction, you can turn right and pass under the cast-iron bridge. Turn around at the Marina entrance and moor up to explore the village and its choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson. Return to Lower Heyford.

10 or 11-night destinations from Lower Heyford

Warwick and back (99 miles, 108 locks, 58 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Napton and at Napton Junction turn left to join the Grand Union Canal towards Stockton. 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. At bridge 49 you’ll find a boat yard where you can turn around and moor up. There are many museums and historic attractions to visit in Warwick, including Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience.

14-night destinations from Lower Heyford

Cosgrove and back (136 miles, 100 locks, 68 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Braunston and cruise on along the Grand Union Canal, going through the Braunston flight of six locks and then Braunston Tunnel (1.16 miles long). After the tunnel the canal leads to Norton Junction, stay on the Grand Union Main Line (turn right). You’ll find the canalside New Inn next to Buckby Top Lock. Head south through the 7-lock Buckby Flight. Moor up at Weedon where there are several pubs, including the canalside Narrow Boat, and several shops and takeaways. Continue south past the village of Nether Heyford.

At Bugbrooke Wharf you’ll find the canalside Wharf pub and The Bakers Arms in the village. You’ll pass Gayton Junction, where the Northampton Arm meets the main line. Soon after you’ll arrive at Blisworth Tunnel. At 1.74 miles long it’s the third longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK. After the tunnel you’ll find Stoke Bruerne where there’s a choice of pubs and the Canal & River Trust’s Canal Museum. Descend the seven locks at Stoke Bruerne and continue south past Thrupp Wharf to Cosgrove, crossing over the Iron Trunk Aqueduct. Cruise to the winding hole at Old Wolverton and return to Lower Heyford.

Hampton Court Palace and back (205 miles, 85 locks, 85.5 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Oxford and transfer onto the River Thames at Isis Lock. You’ll need an extra licence the navigate the River Thames. Travel through the historic market towns of Abingdon and Wallingford, stopping at riverside pubs along the way. Travel through Pangbourne with its riverside pub and Mapledurham, where you’ll pass a cluster of period cottages. Cruise on to Reading and moor up by Reading Bridge to visit the town’s attractions such as The Oracle shopping centre, the Abbey Ruins and Reading Gaol. Soon after Reading, you’ll pass through the charming village of Sonning, with its choice of pubs and riverside Sonning Mill Theatre. Next you’ll reach the village of Wargrave with its popular riverside George & Dragon pub. Arriving at Henley-on-Thames, home of the Royal Regatta, there are beautiful views of the town, church and historic bridge.

Walk into the town and you’ll find plenty of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as the fascinating River & Rowing Museum. Cruise on downstream through picturesque Hurley, Marlow and Cookham (home to the Stanley Spencer art gallery). A little further on, moor up at Maidenhead to visit the National Trust’s Cliveden House and the waterside Roux at Skindles restaurant next to Maidenhead Bridge.

At Bray, you’ll find Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant and Hinds Head pub. Bray is also home to the Roux brothers’ 3 Michelin star Waterside Inn. Cruise on and visit Eton College before arriving at Royal Windsor, famous for its castle. Continue cruising through Runnymede and Staines-upon-Thames and moor at Penton Hook marina to visit Thorpe Park. Travel on past the towns of Chertsey and Weybridge on the approach to Hampton Court. Moor up at the palace moorings to explore the home of Henry VIII, with its beautiful gardens and famous maze.