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.

Once back on the boat cruise westwards and immediately you encounter Glascote Locks, at the Fazeley Junction turn around

 

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.