Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Stockton.

Our Stockton narrow boat hire base, on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, is heart of the canal network. It’s close to the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union canals, so there’s a great choice of routes.

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 Stockton

Hillmorton and back (30 miles, 12 locks, 12.5 hours)

Heading east from Stockton Top Marina, you’ll soon reach the three locks at Calcutt.  At Napton Junction, where the Grand Union Canal meets the South Oxford Canal, turn left and cruise on through the countryside.  When you reach Braunston Junction, you can turn right and pass under the cast-iron bridge (circa. 3hrs from Stockton). Turn around at the Marina, and moor up to explore the village and its choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson.  Next go back to the Junction and turn right, heading 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.  The Stag & Pheasant pub is in the village, and there’s a village shop.

Norton Junction and back (24 miles, 18 locks, 11 hours)

Heading east from Stockton Top Marina, you’ll soon reach the three locks at Calcutt.  At Napton Junction, where the Grand Union Canal meets the South Oxford Canal, turn left and cruise on through the countryside.  When you reach Braunston Junction, you can turn right and pass under the cast-iron bridge (circa. 3hrs from Stockton). Moor up to explore the village and its choice of pubs, including the canalside Admiral Nelson.  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, where you’ll find the canalside New Inn next to Buckby Top Lock. Turn the boat around at Norton Junction and return to Stockton Marina.

Fenny Compton and back (29 miles, 24 locks, 15 hours)

Heading east from Stockton Top Marina, you’ll soon reach the three locks at Calcutt.  At Napton Junction, where the Grand Union Canal meets the South Oxford Canal, turn right and moor up. There’s a choice of pubs, including The King’s Head, and an excellent village shop and bakery. Cruise on along the South Oxford Canal and go through the nine-lock Napton Flight, which stretches for 2 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. Turn after the bridge and return to Stockton.

4-night destinations from Stockton

Cropredy and back (41 miles, 40 locks, 20 hours)

Follow the route to Fenny Compton and continue south, passing through Fenny Compton Tunnel and 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. Turn around in the winding hole soon after Cropredy Lock.  In the pretty village of Cropredy, famous for its annual folk music festival The Fairport Convention, you’ll find the Brasenose Arms.

Warwick and back (20 miles, 42 locks, 15 hours)

Cruise west through the first eight locks of the Stockton Flight and you’ll find the canalside Blue Lias pub just after. 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.

7-night destinations from Stockton

Banbury and back (50 miles, 50 locks, 29 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Cropredy and 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. Turn at the winding hole after Bridge 168 and return to Stockton.

Knowle and back (43 miles, 86 locks, 30 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Warwick and continue cruising on along the Grand Union Canal, through the Warwickshire countryside. 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 the Lapworth Link. Continue north past a series of canalside pubs, including The King’s Arms at Heronfield.  Before you reach Knowle bottom lock, turn the boat around and then you can moor up and walk a mile into Knowle, where there’s a choice of places to eat out or get takeaway food.

Linford Wharf & back (80 miles, 48 locks, 35 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Norton Junction and turn right, heading south through a further seven locks leading to the village of Weedon. Passing Bugbrooke and Gayton Junction 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 are 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. The scenery becomes more suburban as you skirt around Milton Keynes to Linford Wharf. You can turn the boat around at Linford Wharf then 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.

10 or 11-night destinations from Stockton

Stratford-upon-Avon and back (62 miles, 154 locks, 48 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Warwick. 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 left, heading south through nine locks before reaching Lowsonford, where you’ll find the canalside Fleur de Lys pub. After eight more locks you reach Preston Baggot. Cruise over the aqueduct at Wootton Wawen then through one lock and then you’ll cross the Edstone Aqueduct. Stretching 146 metres and formed of 35 separate sections bolted together, Edstone Aqueduct is one of the earliest pre-fabricated structures.

Next you’ll reach the top of the Wilmcote flight, where you can moor up and walk into the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn. Between here and Stratford-upon-Avon there are 17 locks taking you down to Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford.  Moor up and explore this world-famous town’s many attractions, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Turn the boat around in the basin and return to Stockton.

The Warwickshire Ring (105 miles, 121 locks, 58 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Kingswood Junction* (also known as Lapworth Link). Take the sharp turn to the left onto the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Turn right, heading up the North Stratford Canal and go through the 18 narrow locks of the Lapworth Flight to Hockley Heath village, home of the Cake Rider café.  Near the top of this canal is Brandwood Tunnel (352 yards) followed by a ‘Guillotine Lock’ just before King’s Norton Junction.

Turn right on to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. From there it’s lock-free all the way into central Birmingham. You’ll pass Cadbury World at Bournville.  When you reach Gas Street Basin, you can moor up to explore the city centre, including the Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace, the Jewellery Quarter and China Town. Continuing on, at the next junction turn right towards Cambrian Wharf.  You’ll then go downhill through 13 locks at Farmers Bridge and under Aston Road Bridge.

Take the next left at Aston Junction and through a further 11 locks before you reach Salford Junction. Here you’ll 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. Braunston has a great choice of pubs and a village shop.  Continue on along the Grand Union Canal to Napton Junction. Turn right and go through the three locks at Calcutt before arriving back at Stockton Top Marina.

*For a slightly shorter Warwickshire Ring option, stay on the Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Junction and continue up to Knowle (see 7-night route to Knowle above). Then it’s lock-free as you cruise through Solihull. The next five locks start at Small Heath. When you reach Bordesley Junction, turn right and then go through five more locks before you reach Salford Junction. Then continue to Fazeley Junction, and you’ll be back on the longer ring route above.

14-night destinations from Stockton

Oxford and back (105 miles, 82 locks, 58 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Banbury and continue heading south along the South Oxford Canal. 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 Leicester Ring (170 miles, 107 locks, 83 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Norton Junction, then turn left up the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal and through the seven locks at Watford. Next you’ll go through Crick Tunnel (1,528 yards) and then you’ll pass the ‘Welford Arm’ to your right. Head towards North Kilworth (home of the White Lion pub), followed by Husbands Bosworth Tunnel (1,166 yards). Then you’ll reach the 10 staircase locks at Foxton, where there are lock keepers on hand to help. Turn left at the junction and go through Saddington Tunnel (880 yards).

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. Braunston has a great choice of pubs and a village shop.  Continue on along the Grand Union Canal to Napton Junction. Turn right and go through the three locks at Calcutt before arriving back at Stockton Top Marina.