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Water Ouzel Cruises Union Canal Carriers Ltd Braunston Pump House Dark Lane Braunston Daventry Northants NN11 7HJ Telephone (01788) 890784 Fax (01788) 891950 |
Have a day on the canal gently cruising through the beautiful
countryside. Visit a pub for lunch or bring your own picnic.
All facilities on board including hot and cold water, gas ring
with kettle and flushing toilet.. There is plenty of room on
board for up to 12 people. Roll-up blinds leave you every opportunity
to enjoy the fresh air but they can be rolled down in the event
of a shower. Easy to steer, this boat is small enough to turn round wherever you wish. |
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| Ample free car parking. |
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Prices: Your day out can start at 9am and the boat should be back by 5.30pm. |
If you opt for Napton you will pass through Lower Shuckburgh, a sleepy canal-side village (don't blink) on your way to Napton Junction about five and a half miles (roughly 2 hours) away. You could turn right and go the half mile to Calcutt Locks, moor and have look around at the marina, its shop and the boats negoiating these wide locks. Best not to go through retrace your route to Napton Junction. Turning right (or going straight on in the first place) you will soon see the Napton Bridge Inn on your right with good moorings and there is good food to be found within. Another mile and you will reach the bottom of the Napton flight of 7 locks. Near the bottgom lock is the Folly Inn. There is not a lot of point in going up the flight because you will have to promptly turn round to come down again - even if you are quick, it will take over an hour each way. Why not stroll up the towpath and watch other people working hard. You are about 7 miles from home so allow two and a half hours to get back. If you choose Hillmorton you will soon pass close to Willoughby and then (not too close) to the young offenders prison at Onley. After 6 miles (about 2 hours) you reach Hillmorton with a good pub (the Old Royal Oak) on your right (moor on the left and use the bridge). Carry on and in another half mile you will reach Hillmorton Locks - there are three pairs of them. Remember that if you go down you will have to come up again. From Bridge 70 (between the 2nd and 3rd locks) there is a shortish walk to the shops at Hillmorton. If you carry on beyond the locks another mile and a half will get you to Clifton upon Dunsmore with its busy boatyard and in another mile to the outskirts of Rugby. It will take nearly 4 hours to get back from here, so watch the time! |
You
start by cruising slowly passed canal-side buildings, some 100
years old, and the many boats which moor at Braunston. In just
over half a mile you reach Braunston Turn where a pair of old
iron bridges span the junction (see right). Here you have to
make a decision. Turn left (under the first bridge) and you are
on you way to Napton; go straight on (the canal bends to the
right) and you will get to Hillmorton. In either case you are
soon out into the pleasant Warwickshire countryside.