UK Canal Boating

North Kilworth is the opposite side of the road to North Kilworth Wharf, with the White Lion Pub in the village.

Day 1

From the Wharf turn north along the Grand Union Canal towards Market Harborough.
You will soon reach Husbands Bosworth Tunnel, so reach for those waterproofs as you will get dripped on!, Also put your headlight and inside lights on as it helps inside the tunnel which is 1166 yards long.

You can stroll into the village of Husband Bosworth (off to your right) for a pub, newsagents and general store. The Bell Inn here serves Real Ale & food daily.

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 countryside unfold.

There is little sign on habitation in this remote stretch until you reach Foxton Locks.

It is 2.5 hours until you reach the top of the Foxton Locks which is your mooring for the night. There is a winding hole where you can turn just before the locks.

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” canal ware, 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 narrowboats passing through the staircase locks.

Day 2

After turning your boat back your way back past North Kilworth Wharf again, You will soon see the Welford Arm to your right, it is about a mile and a half down to the village of Welford, you can make a diversion down here but there is one lock just before Welford. There is a nice pub in the terminus - The Wharf Inn.

Continuing on away from the Welford arm there are no villages for a few miles.

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.

A quiet place to stop is by Stockleys Bridge 31 as you would have cruised for 4.5 hours.

Day 3

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 many 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 the Knightly Arms which serves real ales & home-cooked food. You can stock up on supplies here as there is a store, 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 towpath so if you wish to walk it you will have to go over the top.

Just before the Watford Locks just after Ashby's bridge 7 you can turn your boat and begin the journey home tomorrow

Day 4 Day 5
It is 5.5 hours back to your marina so have a pleasant journey back

 

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.