The purpose of this particular section is to provide you with information about the range of cruising options possible using Canaltime at Worcester as your base.
MARKET HARBOROUGH & RETURN
7 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6hrs • Locks: 48
• Popular with those seeking something different- if you don’t mind a bit of exercise.
• Cruise up the Grand Union Canal to Norton, then up the Leicester section for a short while towards Leicester.
• On the way to Market Harborough you will encounter two tunnels, two sets of staircase locks and mile after mile of open countryside.
BANBURY & RETURN
7 Nights • Cruising time per day: 7hrs • Locks: 70
• This is a good cruise for first timers and takes you through the Cotswold countryside.
• Takes you down the North Oxford Canal via Braunston and Napton Junctions.
• Onto the South Oxford Canal, renowned for its meandering route to the Thames.
OXFORD & RETURN
10-11 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6.5hrs • Locks: 104
Continue on past Banbury to Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’.
• Oxford has lots to offer- historical places such as Blenheim Palace, Christ Church College, you could go shopping or dining out (see more at www.experienceoxfordshire.org).
• An extremely popular choice for those who want to stretch their holiday to more than a week.
WARWICK & RETURN
7 Nights • Cruising time per day: 5hrs • Locks: 72
• A popular 7-night cruise from Gayton.
• You will travel through Norton Junction to Warwick.
• Warwick has an ever-growing reputation for the variety of its cafes, restaurants and other eateries with the Market Square playing host to events throughout the year.
• Places of interest include Warwick Castle, St John’s Museum and The Mill Garden (see www.visitwarwick.co.uk for more details).
AYLESBURY & RETURN
7-10 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6hrs • Locks: 84
Through delightful countryside, taking in the Great Ouse Aqueduct at Cosgrove, Milton Keynes.
• Then arriving at Aylesbury, with the attractive old town centre just a short walk from the canal basin.
COVENTRY OR SNARESTONE & RETURN
7 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6/8hrs • Locks: 34
With only 17 locks each way between Gayton and Coventry, this is one of the easiest one-week routes.
• The remote and rural Ashby Canal for Snarestone offers 23 miles of lock free cruising after Marston.
• Moor at Shenton for Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre (www.bosworthbatllefield.org.uk).
THE WARWICKSHIRE RING
10-11 Nights • Cruising time per day: 7hrs • Locks: 120
Another popular route with the opon to moor at the heart of Birmingham.
• It includes the spectacular Haon Locks and takes in the rural areas of the Grand Union Canal.
• Why not stop off at Coventry and go to the war-torn cathedral?
• The areas around Tamworth have Drayton Manor (www.draytonmanor.co.uk) and the Snow Dome
(www.snowdome.co.uk).
• How could you come to Warwickshire without visiting Warwick Castle? (www.warwick-uk.co.uk).
• On a two week cruise you can include a trip along the Ashby Canal.
THE GRAND RING*
14-21 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6-9hrs• Locks: 175
This ring takes a minimum of 2 weeks to complete or longer if you want to take in the sights along the way.
• The Thames River Licence will need to be paid if starting from Gayton Marina (please contact marina directly).
• Take in the delights of the southern waterways including Oxford, Banbury, Leighton Buzzard, but then follow a similar route to Limehouse and return for another aspect.
*You must inform us that you’re doing this route as evidence of suitable canal boat experience must be provided.
LEICESTER / EAST MIDLANDS RING
14 Nights • Cruising time per day: 6.5hrs • Locks: 115
A pleasant two-week cruise through parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
• This route takes you up the Grand Union Canal to the Foxton flight of locks, then onto Leicester itself where you join the River Soar.
• Continue along the Soar to Trent Junction where you briefly join the River Trent which takes you up to Sawley. At this point you rejoin the canal system to complete the ring.
