Award winning,  canal holiday boat hire... Tel. 01455 212671

Discover Britain in style, with carefree boating ... Tel. 01455 212671

THE ASHBY CANAL
The information provided on this page will be related to sights and scenes that can be accessed while cruising the Ashby Canal.
If you wish your holiday to be more a voyage of discovery as you pass along the canal, perhaps this page is not for you. 
Maybe you just wish to experience the relaxed experience of prolonged, gentle, canal boat cruising. 
But for those of you who wish a more planned holiday that will take full advantage of what lies within easy access of this inland waterway this page may help.

The Ashby Canal is a tranquil 22 mile, lock free canal, ideal for first timers or people looking for a relaxing week. The picturesque waterway passes near Market Bosworth, you can explore Bosworth Battlefield ground and visit the Shakerstone Steam Railway. 

PLACES WORTH A VISIT ALONG THE ASHBY CANAL

Cafe Wharfside (The Ashby Trip) Visit Cafe Wharfside at Sutton Cheney Wharf. There are convenient moorings allowing you to enjoy a snack, a meal, or just an excellent coffee from the quality range available.

Shenton Station Thomas the tank engine paying a visit to Shenton Station on a themed weekend, of which there are several during the course of the year. Shenton Station is just  few minutes walk from the moorings at King Richards Field.  From Shenton you can catch a train to Shackerstone Station the home of the Shackerstone Steam Trust.  The trains run on Sunday afternoons for most of the year after the Easter start of the season, and also on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons during the summer school holiday period.

Whitemoors Antiques and Crafts Centre To be found in Mill Lane, Shenton,  Approximately thirty minutes from King Richards Field moorings.  An interesting browse from furniture to jewellery and most things in between. A restaurant with garden seating (in the summer) is present for a snack or main meal.  If you are visiting in the Winter take a wear a warm coat as most of the outer buildings have no heating, but lots of curios that you may want to browse.

The moorings at King Richards Field From here it is a fifteen minute walk to Shenton Station, and a walk of approximately thirty minutes to the Battle of Bosworth Field, Battlefield Centre, or Whitemoors Antiques and Crafts Centre, (in opposite directions).

The Moira Furnace  The Furnace is on the newly refurbished section of the Ashby Canal that now stretches from the Miners Welfare Centre in Donnisthorpe to Conkers. The construction of this length of canal included the only set of locks on the Ashby Canal, to allow access to Conkers. The Furnace and Conkers are a good walk from the current end of the canal at Snarestone, but it is well worth the walk if you are interested in canal heritage.

The Battle of Bosworth, Battlefield Centre This excellent visitor centre is just thirty minutes walk from the moorings at King Richards Field. Here you will find a museum / exhibition and small cinema where the battle is fully explained, this being open al year round. There is a restaurant that is open all day and every day for snacks and meals. there is also a gift shop. also a gift shop. The walks round Ambion Hill are stoned for easy walking with frequent information boards explaining the course of the battle.  Many of the paths are able to be accessed by wheelchair users, and are clearly signposted as such.

Market Bosworth The bustling market town of Market Bosorth is a twenty minute walk away from the canal moorings. The walk is well worth the effort as the town centre, positioned around the market square, has many excellent independent shops. These range from family owned butchers, green grocers and delicatessens for restocking the boat provisions, to a clock maker, art gallery,  and craft shops. There are two public houses and a number of cafes and restaurants if you wish refreshment. The good news is after the stiff walk uphill to get to Market Bosworth it is downhill on the way back.

The Bosworth Water Trust This excellent attraction is only ten minutes walk away (west) from the Market Bosworth Moorings. I believe that admission to this lake is free for walkers, and there are a range of sailing and wind surfing opportunities available, according to your level of competence. There is a small "beach" for children, a play area and even a "crazy golf" in the summer. There is also an excellent lake side restaurant and bar, further details can be obtained from their website below.   This lake is well worth a lunch time visit.

Hinckley Water Activities Training Centre (HWATC) This training and activity centre is based on a large lake directly adjacent to the Ashby canal by the "Wharf Arm" in Hinckley. It is "open" night on Thursday nights during the Summer, when you can just "drop in". Or, you can contact Steve via the website link below for arranged training sessions, to be part of a narrowboat holiday. "Corporate days", with refreshments, linked to day boat hire are also possible for the more active group.

There are also a number of inns/public houses that offer food and "refreshment" either canal side or within ten minutes walk along the length of the Ashby Canal, further details can be found in our brochure or any good "canal map".