Canal boat holidays from Springwood Haven on the Coventry Canal

On a weekend break from Springwood Haven Marina near Nuneaton, you can cruise to Coventry or Stoke Golding on the Ashby Canal.

The 38-mile-long Coventry Canal runs from Coventry Basin to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Fradley. There are 13 locks along it. On a 4-night break you can reach Fazeley Junction, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Shakerstone or Snarestone. During a week-long break you can go to Braunston, Fradley or Great Haywood. On longer breaks you can complete the Warwickshire or Leicester rings.

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.

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.

3-night destinations from Springwood Haven

Coventry and back (25 miles, 0 locks, 10.5 hours)
Head south along the Coventry Canal, cruising through the Warwickshire countryside. There are no locks along this stretch so it’s nice and easy for beginners. You’ll pass through the outskirts of Nuneaton and Marston Junction, where the Ashby Canal meets the Coventry Canal. Soon after, you’ll reach Hawkesbury Junction where the North Oxford Canal meets the Coventry Canal. The popular Greyhound Inn is next to the junction. Continue cruising through the suburbs of Coventry, 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. You’ll also pass the canalside Longford Engine pub. Moor up in Coventry Basin to explore this city, including some wonderful medieval buildings and Coventry Cathedral. Turn in the basin and return to Springwood Haven Marina.

Stoke Golding and back (27 miles, 0 locks, 11 hours)

For another lock-free route, head south past the town of Nuneaton. You can moor between bridges 19 and 20 and use Bridge No.20 to reach the Horseshoes pub. Cruise on and when you reach Marston Junction, transfer onto the Ashby Canal. 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. Turn your boat around at Stoke Golding Wharf and return to Springwood Haven Marina.

4-night destinations from Springwood Haven

Fazeley Junction and back (28 miles, 26 locks, 16 hours)
Cruise north along the scenic Coventry Canal. You’ll soon pass the hilltop village of Hartshill where you’ll find the Stag & Pheasant pub. Cruise on through the Warwickshire countryside and you’ll soon reach Atherstone where there are 11 locks. There’s a choice of places to shop and eat in Atherstone, including the Chapel House restaurant and canalside King’s Head pub. Next you’ll reach the pretty village of Polesworth, home of the Bull’s Head pub and 15^th century Abbey. After Polesworth, you’ll pass Alvecote Priory and the Samuel Barlow pub at Alvecote Marina. Soon after the route becomes more urban, passing Amington, the canalside Gate Inn and Bolehall. There are 2 locks to through at Tamworth, once the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia. When you reach Fazeley Junction, you can turn your boat around and moor up to explore the area. Return to Springwood Haven Marina.

Drayton Manor Theme Park and back (29 miles, 26 locks, 16 hours)
Follow the route to Fazeley Junction and turn left under Watling Street Bridge to join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. 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.

Shackerstone and back (46 miles, 0 locks, 18 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Stoke Golding and continue cruising along the lock-free Ashby Canal. 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 turn your boat around after bridge 53 and then moor up to explore the village with its Rising Sun pub.

Snarestone and back (52 miles, 0 locks, 21 hours)
Follow the route to Stoke Golding and then Shackerston and continue cruising through the Leicestershire countryside. You’ll be going alongside Gopsall Wood. When you reach Snarestone, you’ll go through the 250-yard-long Snarestone Tunnel. Then 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.

Huddlesford and back (42 miles, 26 locks, 21 hours)
Follow the route to Fazeley Junction and transfer onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Head north, passing through Bonehill and then Hopwas, with its 2 canalside pubs – the Tame Otter and the Red Lion. Next you’ll reach Whittington, with its Bell Inn and Dog Inn. Soon after you’ll arrive at Huddlesford Junction where you can turn around and return to Springwood Haven Marina. The Plough pub is next to the Junction, where the Wyrley & Essington Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

7-night destinations from Springwood Haven

Snarestone, Coventry and back (68 miles, 0 locks, 27.5 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Snareston on the Ashby Canal and then the 3- night route to Coventry Basin and back.

Braunston and back (61 miles, 8 locks, 26 hours)
Cruise past Marston Junction and when you reach Hawkesbury Junction, home of the Greyhound Inn, then transfer on to the North Oxford Canal. You’ll pass the village of Ansty with its canalside Boat Inn. Just before Stretton Wharf, you can moor up to visit the village of Brinklow, with its Bulls Head pub and castle remains. At Newbold on Avon, you’ll go through the 207-yard-long Newbold Tunnel. The Barley Mow pub is on the main street. Now cruising through the suburbs of the market town of Rugby, soon after you’ll reach the three locks at Hillmorton, where Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers are usually on hand to help. In the village you’ll find the Bell pub and the Waterside pub at Bridge 73. When you reach the Braunston Turn, head left and moor up to explore the village, where you’ll find a choice of places to eat, including the canalside Admiral Nelson. Turn your boat around at the marina and return to Springwood Haven.

Fradley Junction and back (50 miles, 26 locks, 25 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Huddlesford and continue cruising through the countryside along the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. When you reach Fradley Junction you can turn the boat around and then moor up to explore the area, including Fradley Pool Nature Reserve and the canalside Swan pub.

Norton Junction and back (69 miles, 20 locks, 31 hours)
Follow the route south to Braunston and then continue east through the 6-lock Braunston Flight, followed by the 2,042-yard-long Braunston Tunnel. Continue cruising along the Grand Union Canal through a lovely wooded stretch to Norton Junction. Here the Grand Union Main Line meets the Leicester Line. Turn at the Junction and moor up to visit the New Inn.

Shugborough Estate and back (74 miles, 36 locks, 36 hours)
Follow the route to Fradley 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 Springwood Haven.

10-11-night destinations from Springwood Haven

Banbury and back (116 miles, 52 locks, 54 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Braunston. Cruise south along the Oxford Canal. After around two lock-free hours you’ll reach the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. Moor up close to Napton Junction and explore the village, including its 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 three 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.

The Warwickshire Ring (104 miles, 120 locks, 60 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Braunston. Continue heading south along the Oxford Canal. Two hours later, at the Napton Turn, turn right under the bridge. 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. There are many museums and historic attractions to visit in Warwick, including Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience.

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. Return to Springwood Haven Marina.

14-night destinations from Springwood Haven

The Leicester Ring (154 miles, 101 locks, 78 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Braunston and at the Braunston Turn, transfer onto the Grand Union Canal. Go through 6 locks, followed by the 1.16-mile long Braunston Tunnel.  After the tunnel the canal leads to Norton Junction, where you’ll transfer onto the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal.

The canal winds its way to through the countryside. After going through the Watford Staircase Locks you’ll reach Crick Tunnel (1,528 yards) and then Crick Wharf. You can walk into the village of Crick, home of the Red Lion and Wheatsheaf pubs and a village shop. Continuing on through hilly Leicestershire landscapes you’ll reach North Kilworth, home of the White Lion pub.  After that you’ll go through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1,166 yards). 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.

Next you’ll 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. The canal then continues lock-free, passing Marston Junction, where the Coventry Canal meets the Ashby Canal. Return to Springwood Haven Marina.