Routes for Short Breaks

Please collect the boat at 14.00. This route takes you south through the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire. Meandering for approximately I hour brings you to Bugbrooke where you can moor up canalside and enjoy what the Wharf pub has to offer. The village itself is easily accessible if you fancy a walk. Alternatively, you can carry on to the charming little village of Blisworth and spend your evening in the Royal Oak which is about 10 minutes’ walk to the east of the canal.

Wherever you decided to moor overnight the Blisworth tunnel will be your next highlight. The tunnel is (3,072 yds) in length and takes you under Blisworth Hill just to the south of the village. Once through the tunnel you will arrive in the famous and picturesque village of Stoke Bruerne where there is a Canal Museum (operated by Canal & River Trust). With its displays and information on Canal history it is well worth a visit. There is a traditional pub, the Boat Inn which is built of Northamptonshire stone under a thatched roof. The Boat Inn has been in the Woodward family since 1877. The Boat Inn serves local ales and has bar and restaurant meals. If you fancy something a bit more exotic there is also the Spice of Bruerne.

After the Stoke Bruerne come seven wide locks which drop you down 17 meters into the Tove Valley. It will take about 1½ hours to travel through the locks and a similar amount of time to get to Cosgrove where you will find the Navigation pub and a place to turn the boat.

Just past Stoke Bruerne, you come to seven wide locks which drop you down 17 meters into the beautiful Tove Valley. It will take about 1½ hours to travel through the locks and a similar amount of time to get to Cosgrove. If you have some time to around Cosgrove, you could check out the Aquaduct that was built in 1811. This carries the Canal over the river Ouse. Also, some stunning countryside walks. There is the Navigation pub and a winding hole to turn the boat around.

Retracing your route back to Weeden head back north through Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth tunnel to Stowe Hill where you can find the Narrowboat pub (it usually requires pre-booking)

Return the boat at 09:00

Please collect the boat at 14:00. This route takes you through the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire. past it’s rural fields. Meandering through the rural scenery for approx. 1½ hours you reach Whilton Marina and the bottom of the Buckby Flight of 7 locks. There is quite often a wait but luckily there are several cafes to keep you fuelled if you fancy a break.

The locks are wide enough to take 2 standard width boats side by side and it is a good idea to pair up with another boat to share the work and save water getting to the top of the flight which should take about. approx. 1½ hours. You can moor for the night alongside the top lock where you can enjoy a pub meal at the New Inn.

Wherever you decided to moor over Friday night your next destination is Norton Junction. When you arrive there, you need to turn right and that will take you along the peaceful Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal to the bottom of Watford Locks. There are 7 locks that are narrow, and they are also manned. As soon as you moor up at the bottom of the flight please find the Lock Keeper and book your passage up the flight. This is the next to the Watford Gap Services on the M1. You can see how busy that is and how tranquil and peaceful the canal is by comparison.

Continue to meander along the canal until you get to the Crick Tunnel (1528 Yds). When through the Tunnel you will meet the Village of Crick on the border of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. There is a village shop for supplies and several pubs. After Crick turn right up the Welford arm in about 1 mile and 1 lock you will come to the village of Welford this is the highest point on the Grand Union Canal. There is a good pub the Wharf and, also a tea room. If you fancy a walk you can take a look at the local reservoir which feeds the canal.

Return south through Crick Tunnel, Watford Locks (don’t forget to book) and Buckby Locks to moor at Dodford which is just outside Weedon.

Return the boat at 09:00

Please collect the boat at 14:00. This route takes you through the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire. Meandering through the rural scenery for approx. 1½ hours you reach Whilton Marina and the bottom of the Buckby Flight of 7 locks. There is quite often a wait but luckily there are several cafes to keep you fuelled if you fancy a break.

The locks are wide enough to take 2 standard width boats side by side and it is a good idea to pair up with another boat to share the work and save water getting to the top of the flight which should take about. approx. 1½ hours. You can moor for the night alongside the top lock where you can enjoy a pub meal at the New Inn.

Wherever you decided to moor overnight your next destination is Braunston. Travelling through the tranquil Northamptonshire countryside across the Braunston summit you will reach Braunston Tunnel (2,042 yds). The tunnel has no towpath and a slight S-Bend, which may have been caused by soil movement and delayed its construction. It was opened in 1796. It should take about 20 mins to navigate.

On the other side of the tunnel you come to Braunston Locks there are 6 of these. Again, the locks are wide enough to take 2 standard width boats side by side and it is a good idea to pair up with another boat to share the work and save water getting to the bottom of the flight which should take approx. 1 hour. If you want to stop for lunch there are several pubs serving good pub food. Alternatively, if you need supplies there you can take a walk to Braunston village. It is a short walk away and has a highly recommended butchers shop and a well-stocked general store.

Next take a left turn onto the Oxford Canal and meander through the quiet and scenic Warwickshire countryside to Napton where you can spend a pleasant evening at the Folly Inn.

An early start will be needed for this leg from Napton. Retracing the journey back up the Braunston locks and through the tunnel. Then back down the Long Buckby locks mooring overnight just outside Weedon at Dodford.

Return the boat at 09:00