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PLANNING
A CANAL BOAT HOLIDAY
Part of the fun of any holiday is the preparation.
When planning your canal boat holiday
please allow plenty of time. It takes an average of 15 minutes per lock
and 20 minutes to navigate a mile of canal. Time must be allowed for your
pub lunch or a shopping expedition, exploring the local village church or
any place of interest. Most canals and waterways have frequent turning points (winding
holes), water points and of course, canal-side pubs.
All these are shown in detail on canal maps and guides which can be
purchased from the Ashby Boat Company shop.
Below are a number of the more popular routes, and information about them
that we hope you find useful.
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 MOST POPULAR ONE WEEK ROUTES
Glance at the canal map above and you will see that the Ashby Boat
Company’s base is situated right at the very centre of the inland canal
and waterways system. From here you have an excellent variety of cruising
routes to steer your narrowboat along.
There are many permutations of
canal and waterway routes available from our yard and of course the distance
traveled depends greatly on you. We only list here the more popular
cruises for families and friends to undertake on their canal boat holiday.
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The
Ashby Canal
The Ashby Canal is a tranquil 22 mile, lock free canal, ideal for first
timers or people looking for a relaxing week, not requiring the
"workout" that opening and shutting locks can provide. The picturesque waterway
passes near Market Bosworth, you can explore Bosworth Battlefield ground
and visit the Shakerstone Steam Railway amongst many other countryside
attractions.
Travel through the Snarestone tunnel and moor up at Snarestone.
The Moira Furnace is a moderate walk away from the (current) end of the
canal at Snarestone, and you will be able to see the recent canal
restoration, with only a small section to be restored before access to the
Moira Furnace is once again possible.
Measham a former mining town and home of Measham Pottery is close by.
There are also many hostelries to cater for varying tastes, some of which
are waterside others that require a thirty minute walk for a wider variety
of cuisine. |
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Ashby and North Oxford to
Braunston:
72 miles, 4 locks (each way), 5 hrs. cruising each day
The Ashby Canal and North Oxford have
a number of excellent public houses with superb food. The Greyhound at
Hawkesbury, being just one fine example.
On the way
to Braunston you can divert five miles to the ‘Basin’ close to
Coventry to visit the cathedral. Heading towards the spires of the church
towards Braunston you travel through Rugby, an old market town, with the
public school in the centre. This relaxing week takes you through only 4
locks. |
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The Warwickshire Ring:
125 miles, 100 locks, 9½ hrs. cruising each day
A fairly energetic circular route taking you through very beautiful
countryside with a glimpse into the canals industrial past. This boating
circuit is one of the more popular routes for our hirers. A recent
television series focused on the many delights and interesting historical
landmarks to be found on the heart of England’s canals. The castle town
of Warwick with all its antiquated beauty as well as the Victorian
shopping extravaganza of Leamington Spa are to the south of the ring.
Further north are the award winning canals and development of Birmingham
and Gas Street Basin after which you slip back into quiet countryside for
the homeward journey. |
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South Oxford to Banbury and
return :
120 miles 26 locks (each way), 8hrs. cruising each day
The Southern Oxford canal is a beautiful rural route.
It meanders gently
through mile upon mile of unspoiled countryside. After rising up the hill
at Napton it passes through Fenny Compton, giving some breathtaking views
of the Warwickshire countryside.
The canal then enters into the centre of
the picturesque market town of Banbury. |
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Grand Union to Stoke Bruerne:
100 miles 17 locks (each way), 7hrs. cruising each day
Meander South past Hawkesbury, Brinklow and Rugby. Join the mighty Grand
Union Canal with its wide locks and twisting tunnel at Braunston. Outward
through Long Buckby to the almost 2 mile tunnel at Blisworth where you
escape underground for 30 minutes (but not to worry, you can pass in the
tunnels as they are 16 feet wide). Finally immerse yourself in waterways
history at the enjoyable Stoke Bruerne Museum.
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Trent and Mersey to Great
Haywood or Burton:
100 miles, 18 locks (each way), 7 hours cruising each day
This route includes several interesting canal junctions and passes some
beautiful countryside near Cannock Chase.
You may prefer to turn right at
pretty Fradley Junction and travel along Brindley's Trent and Mersey.
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TWO WEEK ROUTES
Given two weeks, a whole variety of circular and out and return trips
become possible. The Leicestershire Loop which encompasses the River Soar,
Trent & Mersey and Coventry offers a particularly attractive mix of
river and canal cruising. The varied route with 5 tunnels, several
aqueducts even allows time for a couple of brief detours along stretches
of other waterways.
Two week return trips could also include destinations as far as Oxford,
Nottingham, Stratford-Upon-Avon or the splendid Caldon Canal.
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