UK Canal Boating

From Springwood Haven Marina cruise north towards Atherstone, passing the Hartshill disused quarries which are now transformed into nature reserves.
The canal winds north-westerly along the side of a hill out of Nuneaton. Views north, towards the Anker valley are unspoilt throughout the open stretches of countryside.

Just beyond the quarry, is Hartshill, which was once a mining community. For walkers, there is a nice route over Hartshill Green to Oldbury Camp, which is a Bronze Age hill-fort, spanning seven acres. There are shops in the town, which is just a 15 minute walk from the canal, and a couple of pubs, The Anchor Inn and the Malt Shovel.

The Canals & Rivers Trust have a splendid building on the canal with a lovely clock tower and old dock at Hartshill.
The canal continues towards Mancetter, leaving the quarries behind and moving into open rolling country as you approach Atherstone.
There is an attractive flight locks taking you through Atherstone, and if you have had a late start today you may wish to moor up for the night before you start them.
Atherstone is a pretty market town, with a market square in front of the church. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area, for example: New Dolphin Inn; Market Tavern; The Black Swan and The Kings Head, to name but a few.
To the south of bridge 41 is a useful stores and fish and chip shop.
It is just over 2 hours to bridge 43 - Watling Street bridge at the north end of Atherstone.

As the canal turns towards Polesworth it passes the remains an old iron swing bridge.

Polesworth has stores & takeaways & is a good place to stock up on supplies. You can moor by Bridge 54 The Bulls Head is west of the bridge.

At Alvecote marina there is a nice pub & restaurant- The Samuel Barlowe, in the marina. You will have glimpsed through the trees the remains of Alvecote Priory to your left. Carrying on you will pass through Amington, to the south of Bridge 68 is the canal Craft Shop where you can have Buckby canalware painted to order.
There is also a friendly Canalside Pub by Bridge 69, The Gate Inn, serving real ale & home cooked meals, there are moorings outside.

Reaching Tamworth the Canal runs though suburban housing, turning in a wide sweep south west past Tamworth towards Fazeley Junction.In Tamworth, which was originally a Saxon settlement, there is a Castle near the town centre, open mid Feb-Oct 12.00-17.15. It has a Norman motte, an Elizabethan timbered hall, and Jacobean apartments. Step back through 900 years of history with a visit to Tamworth Castle. Uncover the secrets held within the chambers and hallways of this unique building and get a real sense of how the Saxons, Normans, Tudors and Victorians lived.
Tamworth itself has a Post office, stores, garage, station and cinema.

If you wish to start your holiday off with an adventure, how about walking to the Snow Dome which is only about 10 minutes from the marina. All weather skiing and snowboarding centre with kit rental, an ice rink, swimming pool and gym. It is open until late every night.

At Tamworth the Canal runs though suburban housing, turning in a wide sweep south west past Tamworth towards Fazeley Junction.

You will soon reach the only locks on this stretch at Glascote, there are 2 locks fairly close together.

Houses and factories flank the canal as it passes Kettlebrook Wharf, and then it moves briefly into more open country, crossing the River Tame on an impressive aqueduct. The Three Tuns Pub is alongside the canal serving food all day and has moorings.

There are useful stores south of Bridge 76.

At Fazeley junction keep straight on, the Coventry Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and continues north west towards Fradley Junction, initially on the Birmingham & Fazeley canal, until it becomes the Coventry Canal once again.

You can choose to make a detour down the south arm of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal if you have children, as there is a large theme park - Drayton Manor - alongside the Canal, at Drayton Manor Bridge, – open late March to October 10am to late afternoon. There is an extensive series of exciting rides, including Storm Force Ten, and amusements.

There is a winding hole (turning) just past Coleshill Road Bridge. Getting back to the Fazeley Junction you turn North West along the Trent & Mersey Canal towards the Fradley Junction , and you soon reach Peels Wharf which is surrounded by new dwellings & completes at attractive urban scene.

This all gives way to lightly wooded open fields towards Hopwas Hill as the Canal follows the course of the River Tame very closely, passing below Hopwas village. Hopwas is a pretty & tidy village with a green, built on the side of a hill. It has a PO, and a convenience store. It is a nice stop for an overnight stay, as on the Canal is the Tame Otter Pub, where real ale & food are served all day, there are moorings available, also here is the Red Lion, food at lunch and in the evenings, steaks are a speciality.

Just beyond here there is a delightful wooded stretch that covers the side of the hill. Landing is forbidden because these are the Whittington Firing Ranges.

After the wood the canal continues in a side cut embankment with a view of Tamworth to the east. The next village you will reach is Whittington. There is a PO stores, garage, chemist, Chinese takeaway & off licence. The village centre is to the west of Whittington Bridge, the shops are best approached from Bridge 78. There are 3 pubs here, The Swan Inn on the Canalside, and the Bell Inn & Dog Inn in the main street.

From here you can catch a bus into Lichfield, which is well worth the detour.

The three spires of the 13th century Cathedral in Lichfield, the 'Ladies of the Vale' are a visible landmark for miles around. The modern shopping centre contrasts sharply with the graceful Georgian buildings of the city centre. There are excellent pubs & restaurants and night clubs, with a Farmers market on Sundays.
You can also catch a train into the centre of Birmingham from Litchfield. Between Whittington & Bridge 78, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal changes to the Coventry Canal.

At Huddlesford is the junction with the Wyrley & Essington Canal, now only used for private moorings. There is an award winning friendly canalside pub here, - The Plough serving real ale & good food. You can walk the 1- 2 miles to Lichfield.

The Canal runs northward through flat open country and a swing bridge announces your arrival at Fradley Junction, where you meet the Trent & Mersey canal.
There is a boatyard here, a British Waterways information centre and cafe, and a very popular pub, The Swan – reputedly one of the most photographed pubs in the country. It is in a 200 yr old listed building, with cosy fires, real ales, and good bar meals with a carvery on Sundays.

You arrive on the Trent & Mersey in the middle of a 5-lock flight.

Also nearby & good for kids to unwind is the Fradley pool Nature reserve, with lots of walks quite close to the Canal. You now turn eastwards towards Shardlow.

Before Alrewas Lock, the canal is crossed by the River Trent, and the large weir should be given a wide berth, make sure you have plenty of power to get you safely past.

The very picturesque village of Alrewas is worth a look, the back lanes harbour very pretty thatched cottages. There is also a fine butchers here, and a fantastic wine & whisky shop.

If you make a stopover in Burton on Trent, moor up at the Horninglow Wharf, and walk into the town from there. It is about ¾ mile walk to the National brewery Centre which is a world-class museum and visitor centre that celebrates Burton upon Trent's proud brewing heritage and it's influence on brewing techniques throughout the world. It is open every day, & some evenings.

In the centre of town Burton Place Shopping Centre has everything to offer its visitors with a great selection of stores - Burton Place Shopping Centre, Worthington Way, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire,DE14 1BU.

Also visit Claymills pumping station, which houses one of the largest collections of working steam engines. It is ¼ mile from bridge 29, you will see the tall brick chimney from far away.

You soon leave Burton on Trent behind and come to the village of Willington, a busy little village with stores & 3 pubs closeby.
There is a lovely pub at Stenson, the Bubble Inn,

You will pass through small villages & delightful canalside pubs until you reach Shardlow. This is a pretty village with a restaurant and a Heritage centre near the lock.
It takes less than 3 hours to get to Trent Lock, where the River Trent meets the River Soar and the Erewash canal.The Navigation Inn and Steamboat Inn are located canalside, as are the Lockhouse tearooms. At the very busy Trent Lock, go South on the River Soar. Cruising may be restricted in times of flooding.

Boaters are reminded that this is basically a River & navigation is liable to flooding in wet weather. There are red flood warning lights along the River Soar.
Boats negotiating the junction of the rivers Soar & Trent should keep well away from Thrumpton Weir, which is just downstream of the big iron railway bridge.
The River is a tributary of the River Trent & is about 40 miles long. meanders down to Loughborough , with a few villages & pubs on the way.

Kegworth is soon reached off to your right

You will soon reach Loughborough, and the Loughborough Navigation becomes the Leicester navigation, and the start of the Grand Union canal.
The canal circles Loughborough to a T Junction. You can moor near Loughbrough Wharf, or moor just past Bridge 36, or before Bridge 38.
Loughborough has all the usual services for a busy town.

The Bell Foundry museum is south of bridge 38.

The museum at John Taylor & Co, tells the story of the Bellfoundry going right back to its links with bellfounding in the 13th Century. An extensive range of exhibits and memorabilia tells the story of one of the oldest manufacturing industries in the world.

Charnwood museum in Granby street features a wide range of exhibits reflecting the history, geology, archaeology and industries of Charnwood and the surrounding area. Permanent displays include ‘Coming to Charnwood’, ‘The Natural World of Charnwood’, ‘Living off the Land’ and ‘Earning a Living’. Each contains exhibits from the past and present including interactive displays, computers and audio-visuals. Visitors can handle rocks from Charnwood’s volcanic past, walk beneath the giant oak tree, investigate the 4,000 year old burial of the Cossington Boy, visit the Victorian grocers shop or zoom-in on a fly’s eye with the video microscope.

Great Central railway in Great central Rd Loughborough (SW of bridge 36) is 8 miles of preserved main line taking you back to the days of express steam haulage. Voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world the Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and selected week days through the summer.

You soon pass Barrow on Soar a village to the left of you, with good moorings before Mill bridge 28, and various shops in the village for supplies. There is a train station in the village for those attractions not so close at hand.

Barrow deep lock is just that, a very deep lock to change the level of the canal. The Canal continues on to Mountsorrel, which is only a few yards from the canal and is a useful place for supplies. The lock is is very much a waterways show-place, & the extensive moorings and lockside pub, make it a very busy one.(The Waterside Inn by Lock 50).with its nice waterside pub.

Stonehurst Family farm & museum is in Loughborough Rd., Mountsorrel,A chance to see a working farm, a museum of memorabilia & old cars & small animal farm for the kids to touch. Also tea shop & farm shop.

You pass the village of Cossington, the Cossington Mill restaurant is canalside at Bridge 21 & the Red Lion is west of Cossington Lock, at crossroads up the hill & under the by-pass.

You pass Watermead Country park and Boating lakes, which are now the attractive remains of old gravel workings.
The Hope and Anchor Hungry Horse pub is by bridge 19

Cruise through the large city of Leicester.

From the River Trent to Leicester West Bridge is 25 miles. In the City of Leicester There are secure moorings at Castle Gardens (on the right past Bridge 2). The city centre is remarkably compact with everything surprisingly close to these moorings.

Places to see in Leicester
Belgrave House & Gardens,- 1709 Queen Anne House Abbey Pumping Station- 1891 with Victorian steam powered beams engines that used to pump the towns sewerage. Also unique public health exhibition & managers house circa World War 2. Moorings here.

Castle Gardens & Motte (where you moor) The Motte or raised mound dates from the 11th C.Cathedral- Guildhall Lane, dating from 14th & 15th Centuries & restored in 19 C.Eco House- Environmently friendly show house Tel 0116 285 5489. Buses from High Street.

NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE- close to Belgrave Lock 44.
A great day out for the whole family is at The National Space Centre. View the space age building as you approach from you narrowboat.The opportunity to explore many facets od space travel, to meet the furthest reaches of our universe face to face & to interact with both science fact & science fiction. Open Tues -Sun all year & Mon pm -school hols. St Mary de castro- Founded in 1107 with excellent examples of Norman glass, stone & wood carving.

Theatres
De Montfort Hall- Prime venue for touring Opera & Ballet companies & Orchestras & Soloists
Haymarket Theatre- Venue for hit shows bound for the West End.
Phoenix Arts Centre – Cinema & live performances of contemporary dance, mime, jazz & folk.

Restaurants
Golden Mile- an area centred on Belgrave Rd., to the north of the city, where the focus lies on the superb range of Asian cultural delights & cuisine.
In a large city such as Leicester, there is a wide range of pubs & restaurants , these are near the canal:
The Hat & Beaver- close to the Shires shopping centre.
The Northbridge Tavern- by North Lock.
The Mulberry Tree , Birstall, riverside gastro pub.

Markets
Market Place – the Food hall selling fresh meat , poultry, dairy produce & fish from all over theworld. Tues – Sat.
The retail market with over 300 covered stalls is open also.

Museums
Jewry Wall Museum- Collection of the count's archaeology up to the Middle Ages, overlooking the Jewry Wall, which dates from 2nd C & is thought to be part of Roman Baths. Two Roman Mosaic pavements can be seen in situ.
New walk Museum & Art gallery- you will discover the mighty dinosaurs as you walk in their footprints, be on the lookout for the ‘Barrow Kipper’ and the Rutland dinosaur.

Newarke Houses Museum- The social history of the area from 1500 to the present day, inc the history of hosiery, costume & lace industries.
Royal Infirmary Museum- history from 1771.
Wygston's House Museum of Costume.

Shopping
Shires Shopping Centre- All the usual big name stores under one high, glass-arched roof plus cafes, pizzzeria, etc.

Moor up in the Leicester suburb of Aylestone, nr Bridge 106 , it retains the feel of a country village. To the west is Aylestone Meadows which is now a nature reserve stretching for 1.5 miles. Access for shops and the Union Inn is east from Freestone Bridge 106. There is a useful farm shop between Packhorse Bridge 105 and the railway bridge.

The National Gas museum is situated in the Victorian Gatehouse of one of the city's gas works -The museum contains many fascinating displays which tell the story of making, distributing and using gas since the early 19th century. You can see many unusual appliances including gas heated hairdryers and even a gas radio! A re-creation of a 1920s kitchen shows what domestic life was life before electricity became common in the home.

Moor for the night near Aylestone meadows Nature reserve & playing fields, there is a pub near Bridge 106 and access to shops. There is a useful farm shop after Bridge 105.
Aylestone although being a suburb of Leicester still retains the feel of a country village with narrow streets bordered by pretty brick cottages. The River Soar runs close to the Canal and is crossed by a 15C stone packhorse bridge of eight low arches.

After Kilby Bridge the canal continues through much quieter landscape. About half a mile north of Kilby Bridge is the award winning Wigston Framework Knitters museum. open every Sunday.

Brocks Hill Country Park & Environment Centre is a 2 & halfmile walk north along a footpath from Clifton Bridge (85) & then via A5199 & B582, but it is well worth the effort as it make a very worthwhile day out. It is a unique environment centre built to demonstrate wind & solar power. Set in 67 acres of parkland with a cafe. Entrance is free.

Wistan Le Dale model village- take the footpath south from Ivy Bridge (78) to the church and visit this acclaimed Model Village. Open daily exc Tues, with cafe.

Visit the Wistow Rural Centre, moor up at either bridge 78 or 80 for access. Call into the tea rooms for a traditional English tea, a light snack or a 3 course lunch - children's menus also available. Then stroll around the model village and the garden centre.

Continuing on down towards Foxton Locks you soon reach the Knibworth Locks & just a mile or so away is Saddington Tunnel which is 880 yards long, lookout for the bats which naturalists enthuse about. The Tunnel was built crooked in 1797. The village of Saddington is accessed from Bridge 72 to the west , the award winning pub - Queens Head in the main street has superb views over Saddington reservoir, and serves a wide range of food.

Visit Saddington reservoir built to keep the canal well watered now a wildlife haven.


Travelling south, you soon reach the bottom of Foxton Locks with plenty to see and do at Foxton. To the left is the Harborough arm with bustling Market Harborough 5 miles distant and just a couple of hours lock free cruising away.

Walk along the tow path until you find the friendly British waterways lock-keepers by the Locks. They will take a note of your boat name & tell you roughly how long the wait will be to go through the locks, but there is plenty to do whilst you wait, it takes 45 minutes to go through the flight, see here for opening times https://www.foxtonlocks.org.uk/


Foxton is the site of a steam powered Inclined Plane, which replaced ten locks and lifted narrow boats 75 feet. It was opened in 1900 but suffered from mechanical and structural problems. The locks were reopened in 1908 and now work beautifully. Whilst here visit the Foxton Museum and gift shop. The well stocked canalside shop offers you groceries, hardware as well as the traditional “roses and Castles” canalware, made and hand-painted on site.

Stop for a cream tea in the canal side cafe or a well deserved pint in the Foxton Locks Inn. Spend a couple of hours watching the colourful narrow boats passing through the staircase locks. British Waterways organise events based on Foxton Locks

Cruise from Foxton towards the Watford Locks to the South.

Look out over the vale of Welland and to the nearby Laughton Hills. Slow down, cruise on and watch mile after mile beautiful and unspoilt contryside unfold .

The Canal weaves its way through an remote but attractive stretch. There are no villages on the canal here, Husbands Bosworth being hidden by the tunnel, but moor by Bridge 46 Honey Pot Farm Bridge and you can walk into the village where the Bell Inn awaits, also newsagents and general store.

North Kilworth is off to your right, with a couple of pubs- The White Lion & the Swan Inn.

At the Welford Junction you can if you wish take a slight detour up the Welford Arm an overnight mooring makes a pleasant stay with the facilities of the village close by.

There is even a local on your doorstep – The Wharf Inn, with large well kept gardens by the River Avon. Some open air theatre functions during August. Nearby are the Welford & Sulby reservoirs – a public footpath from the village crosses the causeway between the two reservoirs that supply the canal & provides good views of the wildfowl on both.
The Battle of Naesy 1645 was fought 2 miles east of Welford. Here Fairfax's New Model Army routed the Royalists under King Charles I, ensuring the end of the Civil War.

Gently continue your journey passing the Hemplow Hills to your left, and open fields of grazing sheep.

2 Miles east of Bridge 31 is Stanford Hall, a William & Mary brick mansion built in the late 17th Century. On display also here is a replica on an experimental flying machine built in 1898. Teas, shop & craft centre. Open pm Easter -Sept.

The next stretch of the canal wanders southwards in a series of loops through wonderful rural scenery with not much signs of habitation.
Yelvertoft is a delightful village to stop for a while and there are moorings between bridges 19 and 20. The local is is the Knightly Arms which serves real ales & home cooked food. You can stock up on supplies here as there is a stores, off licence & butcher.


Before you pass through the Crick Tunnel, you can moor up at bridge 12 & visit Edwards of Crick, a restaurant & coffee house offering a wide ranging menu. Stroll into the village of Crick, home of one of Britain’s largest annual boat show held each year in May and have a pint and a meal at one of the local pubs . There is an intriguing second hand shop here open Wed Fri & Sat that is worth a visit (14.00-18.00)

Crick Tunnel is 1528 yards long, & has no tow path so if you wish to walk it you will have to go over the top. Meet the lock-keepers at the Watford Locks and they will cheerfully help you on your way through their complex set of locks. Watford Locks raise the canal to it summit level of 412 feet. Four of these locks form a staircase, with a one up one down procedure. The new Inn is Canalside at Buckby Top lock & has moorings.

The small village of Watford is not to be confused with the large town of Watford in Hertfordshire. Moor up at Bridge number 6 for a true taste of the Orient at the Thai Garden, Restaurant in Station Road.

Once through the Watford Locks continue towards the Norton Junction were we meet the Oxford Canal.(You soon will find that the M1 motorway swings away from you, but if you want 24 hr provisions you can moor up by Bridge 6 which is right beside The Watford Gap motorway services.)At Norton Junction you can then go down the Grand Union towards London, or we recommend that you head west towards Braunston.

From Norton Junction to Braunston the canal runs westward through hills and wooded country, then into a wooded cutting whichs leads to Braunston Tunnel.
Off to the north on your right you will pass the small village of Welton on a hill. At Bridge 6 ¾ mile from the Canal you can find a 400 yr old pub – The White Horse Inn.

Braunston Tunnel was opened in 1796 & is 2042 yards long.

Long rows of moored craft flank the canal, but there is usually plenty of places to moor, as it is worth strolling into Braunston as there are a fine selection of old buildings here. The British Waterways office in the Stop House, was originally the Toll office between the Oxford and the Grand Union canal. It is worth stocking up on supplies here. By lock 3 there is a haunted pub- the Admiral Nelson. In Braunston itself there is the Wheatsheaf which also has a Chinese & Thai takeaway. The Millhouse Hotel has a canalside garden, and the Old plough in the High street dates from 1672. The village has stores & a takeaway.


At Braunston Turn turn right up the Oxford canal, the canal runs through wide open country for quite a mile, only momentarily interrupted by the M45 just after Barby Bridge. Continuing up the Oxford canal Rugby comes in to sight, a good place to moor is by Wharf bridge 73 with the Old Royal oak canalside .

You descend the Hilmorton Locks and the canal swings in a wide arc around the town. There are shops near bridge 59 to the south, and a picnic area below bridge 53 with a huge Tesco supermarket nearby.

Rugby is a large town with many shops and of course is the home of the game of Rugby. It is 30 minutes walk to the town centre.If you need to stock up on provisions, the selection of shops to supply food is brilliant in Rugby, offering deli’s, supermarkets, organic shops, local produce, bakers and butchers, and making it worth a look just for the shopping opportunities alone. The centre of Rugby is a very pleasant place offering nice parkland and places to eat and drink in abundance. There is a pedestrianised shopping centre and an open market with a town crier.The Web Ellis Rugby football museum tells the story of the game of Rugby over the last 160 years.

As part of your tour of the birthplace of the game be sure to take a walk along the Pathway of Fame, a unique tour which celebrates the history of the game and some of its most notable players. The town and borough has much more to offer than its unique connection with the famous game. It has links to great literary figures such as Rupert Brooke, Matthew Arnold and Lewis Carroll. There are pleasant moorings at Newbold on Avon just past Rugby with a choice of pubs closeby

When leaving Newbold you will encounter one of the most unusual tunnels on the waterways, with brightly coloured lights, making it a very magical experience.
The canal again runs through quiet farmland although the motorway makes one or two brief appearances.

Moor by the tiny village of Ansty bridge 14 where the Rose & castle pub awaits you.

When you reach the Hawkesbury Junction with the Coventry canal, you can make a slight detour into Coventry if you have time, it adds about 5 cruising hours to your journey, but it is well worth a look. The stop lock at the end of the Oxford canal only has a drop of a few inches, but marks the end of one canal and the beginning of another.

If you take the detour to Coventry the end of the Canal at Coventry basin is very interesting on the side of a hill, overlooked by attractive wooden canal warehouses. The Old weighbridge office is now a shop and information centre. The basin is home to shops, small businesses and an art gallery and has a welcoming community of boaters. A canalside walk is ideal for spotting wildlife.A footbridge over the ring road gives access from the basin to the town centre, with shopping, eating and drinking possibilities. Coventry Art Gallery, the Museum of British Road Transport and Sir Basil Spence's remarkable Coventry Cathedral are also nearby.

The Basin features a bronze statue of the famous 18th-century canal engineer James Brindley - one of fifteen artworks commissioned from local artists for the Canal Art Trail which extends from the basin to Hawkesbury Junction.

The old Coventry Cathedral was destroyed during World War 2, but the new cathedral was completed in 1962, and is worth a visit.The Museum of British Transport is south of the canal basin, and claims to be the largest collection of British made transport in the world, with over 200 cars, 90 motorbikes, and 230 cycles, also period street scenes, royal vehicles and the awesome Thrust SSC -the world land-speed record holder.

Cruise back to the Hawkesbury Junction and then continue straight on passing the old Engine house on your left. It is worth taking a few photos of the lovely iron bridge here, there is also a disused engine house, a nice pub, and an old police station.


You soon reach the turning to the Ashby Canal which is a lovely canal about 22 miles long with no locks, but maybe do this one another day. You cruise through Nuneaton, but the views are pleasant there is good access & moorings By Boot Bridge 20.

You soon reach your starting point- Springwood Haven Marina

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.