Duration: 7
TOTAL LOCKS: 68
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 6
TOTAL CRUISING TIME: 41
Moor in the medieval town famous for its magnificent castle, with historic streets, independent shops, cafés, traditional pubs and restaurants.
Work your way through the Napton, Calcutt and Stockton locks and the distinctive Bascote staircase for a true taste of canal boating.
Cruise through open farmland, quiet towpaths and picturesque villages, with plenty of chances to spot local wildlife along the way.
Finish at a convenient base for exploring Warwick, with visitor moorings and facilities right by the town.
Discover the beauty of the Warwickshire canals on this relaxing seven-night narrowboat cruise from Fenny Compton Marina to the historic town of Warwick and back. Combining peaceful countryside, picturesque villages, traditional lock flights and fascinating waterways heritage, this route offers a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the most attractive stretches of the inland waterways network.
Leaving Fenny Compton Marina, you'll head north along the beautiful South Oxford Canal towards Napton Junction. This charming stretch of canal winds its way through open countryside, rolling farmland and pretty villages, offering plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. After passing through the Napton flight of locks, you'll reach Napton Junction, where you'll turn left onto the Grand Union Canal and begin your journey towards Warwick.
Continuing along the Grand Union Canal, you'll pass through the Calcutt Locks before reaching the impressive Stockton flight. This section provides a real taste of traditional canal boating, with a series of locks, historic lock cottages and attractive waterside scenery. The nearby village of Long Itchington makes a lovely place to pause, with its welcoming pubs and village atmosphere providing an ideal overnight stop.
As you continue towards Warwick, the canal takes you through the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, passing Bascote and its distinctive staircase locks before reaching the attractive village of Radford Semele. This peaceful stretch offers a lovely contrast to the busier waterways, with quiet towpaths, open fields and picturesque bridges creating a relaxing cruising experience.
Your journey then continues towards the historic town of Warwick, passing through the attractive surroundings of Royal Leamington Spa and crossing the River Avon aqueduct. As you approach Warwick, the scenery gradually becomes more urban, although the canal retains much of its historic charm. Your destination is Saltisford Canal Centre, where you can moor your narrowboat and enjoy a visit to Warwick town centre. Famous for its magnificent medieval castle, historic streets and beautiful architecture, Warwick offers plenty to explore, alongside a great choice of independent shops, cafés, traditional pubs and restaurants. Saltisford provides a convenient base for discovering the town, with visitor moorings and facilities available.
After enjoying your stay in Warwick, you'll turn your narrowboat at the designated winding hole at Saltisford and begin your return journey, retracing exactly the same route back towards Fenny Compton. Cruising in the opposite direction gives you the opportunity to appreciate the scenery from a different perspective, revisiting the charming villages, peaceful countryside and historic locks that made the outward journey so enjoyable.
Enjoy a memorable journey through Market Harborough, a historic market town full of character. Explore its attractive streets, independent shops, traditional pubs and cafés, or visit the fascinating Old Grammar School, one of the town's most recognisable landmarks. With its blend of peaceful countryside cruising and traditional English market town charm, this is a lovely canal adventure.
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