Choosing a Cruising Route for your holiday
There are a number of routes to choose from starting at Calcutt Boats, from the relaxing and rural, to the more energetic, passing through vibrant towns and cities.
The key to planning your holiday is to be flexible and be open to changing your plans according to the weather or if you find a spot you would like to explore further.
Whichever route you take you should be able to plan around a pub for most evening meals or you have a kitchen on board for cooking your own.
Route planning information and downloadable canal guides can be found on the Canal and River Trust website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/go-boating/planning-your-boat-route/downloadable-waterway-guides
The following websites can help you plan a journey:
Canal Plan AC https://canalplan.org.uk/ or
Narrowboats.org https://www.narrowboats.org/canal_route_planner.aspx
There are also a few apps available for your devices such as Open Canal Map, WaterNav and Canals.uk.
Google maps is usually the best for information about what points of interest and facilities are next to the canal.
If we can be of any further help then please call or email.
The South Oxford Canal Route
One of the finest rural waterways in Britain, passing through consistently beautiful countryside as it follows its restful route to the Thames, this narrow-beam canal was one of the earliest built and in its heyday one of the most important canals in Southern England. Climbing the famous Napton Locks the traveller reaches the remote and winding summit, with stunning views over rich Warwickshire farmland. At Claydon the canal starts its descent towards Oxford, passing through the charming historic village of Cropredy and then on to Banbury to join the river Cherwell. Adopting not only its route but also some of its flavour the waterway glides gracefully through the Cotswolds to the Thames.
To Oxford and return: 7/9 nights.
To Banbury and return: 4/5 nights.
To Cropredy and return: 3/4 nights.
The Four Locks Route
In the South Midlands Wolds it is hard to credit that one can cruise for a week and yet pass through only four locks but, head for Braunston, and you could begin such a journey. Thread around Rugby, cross the infant River Avon and descend the three narrow locks at Hillmorton to arrive on the edge of Coventry. A skillful sidestep just here leads to Marston Junction and the charmingly isolated Ashby Canal. Twenty lock-free miles through open countryside include the battlefield at Bosworth and the chance to visit a working steam railway. All in all, an ideal run for those who appreciate the British countryside but don't want to work too hard to see it!
To Snarestone and back, via Braunston & Coventry: 1 week.
Towards Newbold or Brinkow and return, via Rugby: 3 nights
The Warwickshire Ring
We are fortunate that our base lies on one of the few circular cruising routes which can reasonably be completed in a week. Following the Four Locks Route to join the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury leads in turn to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Fazeley Junction. A gentle climb through the splendidly isolated Curdworth Locks ends amid backdoor Birmingham; an area rich in industrial heritage and intriguing in the manner peculiar to the 'BCN'. Turning south the route heads for Hatton and then the final climb to Calcutt.
Circular route via Braunston, Coventry, Birmingham and Warwick: 1 week (for energetic crews) or 2 weeks to include the Ashby Canal.
To Warwick and return, via Leamington Spa: 3/4 nights
The Leicester Line Route
Four cavernous tunnels, three spectacular lock flights, including staircase locks, and the site of the ingenious Foxton inclined plane, now being restored, are just some of the memorable engineering features on this route through rural Leicestershire. Some consider this canal's long summit pound, rich in wildlife, to be one of the most beautiful lengths of artificial waterway in Britain.
Towards Leicester/Market Harborough and return, via Braunston: 1 week.
To Crick and return, via Braunston: 3 nights
The Avon Ring
In the best tradition of a pilgrimage the route to Shakespeare's Stratford is both demanding and arduous yet highly rewarding. Dropping down to Warwick the traveller is met by the awesome sight of Hatton Locks, striding boldly upwards in a 21 lock, 3 hour cruising stairway.
Turn left at Kingswood to join the Southern Stratford Canal; a narrow, tree-lined and very beautiful waterway culminating in the florid splendour of Bancroft Gardens, moments away from the RSC Theatre.
The Avon is a charming river that for much of its journey flows timelessly through idyllic countryside, its low banks affording panoramic views across Warwickshire and the Cotswolds beyond.
At Evesham the river becomes the Lower Avon and although increasing in size it never assumes overpowering proportions.
Tewkesbury sees the Avon locking into the wider and deeper River Severn and the difference in scale is brought home by the turn upstream under Telford's lofty Mythe Bridge.
Returning to the canals via the Diglis Basins at Worcester there is a long climb towards the outskirts of Birmingham, including the 30 locks of the Tardebigge flight, the longest in the country.
To Stratford and return: 8/10 nights.
Avon Ring via Stratford, Tewkesbury and Worcester: 2 weeks for experienced or active crews.
The Grand Union South Route
From Braunston, just a few hours from Calcutt, the Grand Union heads south towards the rebuilt Blisworth Tunnel. Just beyond its southern portal stands Stoke Bruerne, the ideal among canalside villages and home of the Waterways Museum. Crossing the valley of the Ouse on a sturdy aqueduct the canal climbs to Marsworth and its summit level. Beyond lies Berkhamstead, Rickmansworth and Watford; the descent to the Thames, but to the west the intimate quiet of the sixteen-lock Aylesbury Arm drifts past hedge and pasture to its historic namesake.
To Aylesbury and return: 10/11 nights.
To Cosgrove and return: 5/6 nights.
To Stoke Bruerne and return, via Braunston: 4 nights
Two Week or Longer Travels
Given two weeks the scope to travel yet further afield grows immeasurably and our location, so close to three major canal junctions, offers an endless variety of routes. Some worth considering include: The Grand Circle, through London and Oxford to include the River Thames and Oxford Canal. The Leicester Ring, passing beyond Leicester to the picturesque River Soar, the Trent and Mersey Canal and back past Coventry. To the Caldon Canal and return via the Wedgwood factory near Stoke-on-Trent.