LOCKS AND TUNNELS CRUISE


BLISSFULLY QUIET COUNTRYSIDE WITH MUCH INTEREST

Friday Afternoon

Depart from Rugby Wharf mid afternoon and head towards Braunston. Pass over two aqueducts before you come to the A426 with a Harvester pub located canalside. Across the road is a Tesco superstore where you can pick up any last minute groceries. Leaving the A426 behind, pass a small picnic area on the left and cruise down towards Clifton Upon Dunsmore. After passing a canalside boatyard with a sharp right turn under the bridge following, you will find yourself alongside Rugby Golf Club. Cruising a little further you will arrive at Hillmorton (approx 1 hour from the wharf), where you will notice a water point just as you approach the bottom lock. After the first pair of double locks you will find the Lock Stop Bistro (01788 553 562). Stocked with a small range of general provisions, the Bistro serves lunches and evening meals. Reaching the top of the locks you can moor on the left or proceed half an hour to The Old Royal Oak (01788 561 401). To the left of the canal you can probably still see the masts from the Rugby Radio Station towering above you.

If the evening light is on your side, continue on, taking in the Barby Straight, which will take you under the M45 (complete with commuters rushing home for the weekend) and round the bottom of Barby Hill. Running alongside the disused railway line to the right the canal now takes you towards the village of Willoughby and under a sharp humpback bridge with cottages canalside to the left. A further mile of travelling will bring you into the village of Braunston passing its junction with the Grand Union Canal. Just after bridge 91 is the entrance to Braunston Marina. (approx 4 hours from the base). Pubs in the village include the Mill House, canalside (01788 890 450), The Old Plough in the village (01788 890 000) and The Wheatsheaf (01788 890 748).

Saturday Morning

If you stopped overnight at Hillmorton then get going by 8.00 to be at Braunston by 10.30 following the instructions above. Just prior to the first lock you will pass The Boat Shop (01788 891 310) which sells basic groceries and other canalia. Ascend the six Braunston locks, which are wider than the previous ones at Hillmorton (so you can share with another boat and save water) in the process passing the, reputedly haunted, Admiral Nelson (01788 890075). Then through the 1 1/8th mile long Braunston Tunnel, out into a wooded cutting skirting Daventry to the South and leading into an area of wooded land, between some hills up to Norton Junction where you turn left onto the Leicester Section (approx 6 hours from Braunston). Should your arrival coincide with lunch time then moor up nearby and walk over to the New Inn (01327 842 540) which is beside the top lock on the main line of the canal a few hundred yards from the junction. There is also a water point and rubbish disposal point here. An alternative lunch stop is a mile and a half further along at Watford Gap (yes where the M1 services are!) The Stags Head (01327 703 621) is by Station Bridge No 6.

Next is the ascent of the Watford Staircase lock flight of seven locks with a summit of 412ft. Staircase locks are slightly different to the usual form of locks so please follow the lock keepers instructions! In essence, a staircase means there is no canal between the locks; upon leaving one l ock you immediately enter the chamber of the second lock.

After the locks there follows Crick Tunnel (1528 yds) from which you will emerge with the village of Crick on your left and then Crick Wharf with good moorings. This could be the overnight stop if you dallied too long over lunch! The Restaurant by bridge no. 12 is Edwards of Crick (01788 822 517) Highly recommended, advance bookings only! The Red Lion (01788 822 342) is half a mile up the road (turn left off the tow path by the bridge) and is an excellent country pub, opposite is the Wheatsheaf (01788 822 284) and just round the corner you will find The Royal Oak (01788 822 340). Those who have time may wish to go further along the canal to Yelvertoft where moorings are through bridge no. 19 Skew bridge (you’ll see why when you get to it!) Here the local pub, the Knightly Arms (01788 822 401) is half a mile down the hill, accessed from the bridge. Shops and post office are also in the village.

Sunday Morning

If you stopped at Crick then turn around half a mile beyond the bridge and head back through the tunnel to Watford Locks. If you went on to Yelvertoft then carry on to bridge no. 28 (approx. 3 miles) where you can turn around in the winding hole and return to the locks. Start early, not later than 7.30! After the locks turn RIGHT at Norton Junction and make for the six Braunston Locks. Half way down, you will, once again, pass the Admiral Nelson (01788 890 075) where you can get a spot of lunch; alternatively stop at the Mill House (01788 890 450) just before the junction. Turn right at the junction onto the North Oxford canal for the home run to Rugby Wharf (4 hours cruising + 3 locks). Those stopping on until Monday morning can go past the wharf entrance to Newbold and moor by bridge no. 50. Where the Barley Mow (01788 544 174) and The Boat Inn (01788 576 995) are situated. To turn around go on through the tunnel and through Falls Bridge (No 48) then reverse under the side arm bridge on the left and pole the bows around. Start from Newbold at 8.15 to be back at the wharf by 9.00.

Happy Cruising!