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Rugby
Base CANAL BOAT HIRE

Warwickshire Boating Holidays

This base is on the outskirts of Rugby on the rural North Oxford Canal - ideal for contrasting routes taking in pretty countryside, various tunnels and even a castle at Warwick.

Phone: 01788 562183
Phone to book: 0330 333 0590
Address: Rugby Wharf, Consul Road, Rugby, CV21 1PB
Berths: 2-8

Maps / Guides

Waternav App: E1, E3
Nicholson: N1, N3
Lockmaster: L13, L14
Pearsons: P6, P7

Buy Maps

Located on the Oxford canal, only one day’s cruising away from Coventry and 2 days away from Warwick Castle, our fleet of boats at Rugby Wharf can accommodate up to 10 people and take you on a cruise around England and the Shire Counties of the Midlands.
 

Rugby Wharf offers a huge variety of routes suitable for anything from couples wanting a quiet weekend away to large family groups wanting to visit attractions like Warwick Castle and Drayton Manor.

For beginners, a break between 3 and 7 nights takes you along the rural Ashby canal, with only one lock each way. But there are also routes for the more experienced such as the Warwickshire Ring or East Midlands Ring.

DIRECTIONS

BY ROAD

If you are approaching from the Southeast or Northwest via the M6 motorway exit at junction 1.

Take the A426 towards Rugby. Go straight across the first four roundabouts passing under a disused railway viaduct.Then go right around the roundabout and come back towards the viaduct. Consul Road is the first left by the Peugeot garage. The boatyard entrance is 200 yards on the right.

FROM AIRPORTS

From Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Nottingham, Coventry or East Midlands use either the train or National Express to get to the centre of Rugby then get a taxi to the base. Please see www.nationalexpress.com for details on national coach travel.
BY RAIL

The nearest main line rail station is Rugby Station which is only a 5 minute drive from the marina. 

USEFUL LINKS

Here are some useful resources for information regarding Rugby Wharf.

Train times & tickets
Birmingham Airport
East Midlands Airport
Gatwick Airport
Heathrow Airport
Luton Airport
Coventry Airport

 

Download Directions

Featured Routes

Featured routes from Rugby Base, Warwickshire

Ashby Canal & return

This route takes you north from the marina up towards Snarestone. 

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Aylesbury & return

A good route for the first timer. Through delightful countryside, taking in the Great Ouse Aqueduct at Cosgrove, Milton Keynes.

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Banbury & return

Rugby to Banbury – Through Hillmorton Locks, Braunston, Napton, Cropredy and back

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Leicester or East Midlands Ring

A pleasant two week cruise through parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. 

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Market Harborough & return

Cruise down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston, then up the Grand Union Canal towards Leicester. 

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Oxford & return

A popular longer route from Rugby which can also be started from Gayton and Union Wharf.

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The Warwickshire Ring

A route with a mix of rural and urban taking in parts of the Oxford Canal, the Coventry Canal, the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Stratford Canal and the Grand Union Main Line. This route includes five tunnels, several aqueducts, and 118 locks

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Short Breaks

The following are suggested routes for short break canal holidays from Rugby Base

Crick & return

Your route will lead you through glorious disputed territory before meandering lazily along one of engineer James Brindley’s renowned contour-hugging canals.

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Hinckley Wharf & return (Ashby)

An easy route travelling up the Oxford canal

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Napton & return

Maps & Guides for this route: N1, P7, L14 | Click here buy maps

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Norton Junction & return

A delightful short break cruising along the Oxford canal south until you meet the junction with the Grand Union at Braunston. Experience the Braunston tunnel before turning around at Norton Juncion and returning home.

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Snarestone & return

Gentle lock-free cruise whispering old stories of steam engines, rugby and fancy teapots. This peaceful route meanders through countryside and mingles pleasantly with wildlife, yet the informed traveller knows it secretly harbours deathly histories of Richard III and even more bloody battles beyond too!

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Featured Boats

Featured Boats from Rugby Base, Warwickshire

Six to eight berth Boats

Alvechurch Gull

Max: 6 People

Length: 66ft

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Alvechurch Lark

Max: 6 People

Length: 66ft (63ft from Falkirk)

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Alvechurch Warbler

Max: 8 People

Length: 69ft

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Viking Derwent

Max: 6 People

Length: 60ft

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Viking Medway

Max: 6 People

Length: 57ft

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Two to Five berth Boats

Alvechurch Grebe

Max: 4 People

Length: 47ft

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Alvechurch Wren

Max: 4 People

Length: 47ft

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Viking Tyne

Max: 4 People

Length: 48ft

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Up to twelve berth Boats

Alvechurch Wagtail

Max: 10 People

Length: 70ft

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