otherwayup Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 We have booked a narrow boat for a week in first half of July from Calcutt Boats at Napton Junction. I'm looking for advice on which route to take for a leisurely week with plenty of bank side pubs/restaurants. Not worried about locks, but don't want to spend half the day queuing up. Initial thoughts are head south towards Oxford. Are there any really busy routes to avoid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Oxford canal is quite narrow as I remember and slow going and unless there have been major refurbishments the locks are a bit tatty - we preferred the Worcester and Birmingham but it is a few years so things may have changed, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 The Oxford Canal is really lovely, you can't fault it, head south down to Oxford by all means. Yes it is narrower but in a week you are not going that far. Twenty to thirty miles a day tops so just chug along and enjoy the serene ambience. If its your first time its a perfect introduction. North to Braunston and you hit the Grand Union which will be busier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevo_m Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) We rented from Calcutt 3yrs ago, took the family, 4 kids and a dog. Good clean boats. We headed down the south Oxford and managed to get to Banbury in a week. It’s a good route with a good mix of leisurely cruising and locks. Locks are fine now having had a good tidy up. Pubs are spaced apart, so if you’re cunning you can have lunch in one then move to another for the evening. Avoid Copredy when the festival is on, we got caught out on the way back, the place was rammed, with a heavy fog of illegal substances in the air. Top pub enroute, The Wharf Inn at Fenny Compton, it’s where I met my wife about 16yrs before! Also a good point to fill water and re stock from the small shop. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy! Edited June 4, 2018 by stevo_m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 13 hours ago, stevo_m said: We rented from Calcutt 3yrs ago, took the family, 4 kids and a dog. Good clean boats. We headed down the south Oxford and managed to get to Banbury in a week. It’s a good route with a good mix of leisurely cruising and locks. Locks are fine now having had a good tidy up. Pubs are spaced apart, so if you’re cunning you can have lunch in one then move to another for the evening. Avoid Copredy when the festival is on, we got caught out on the way back, the place was rammed, with a heavy fog of illegal substances in the air. Top pub enroute, The Wharf Inn at Fenny Compton, it’s where I met my wife about 16yrs before! Also a good point to fill water and re stock from the small shop. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy! The Wharf Inn is local to me and does good grub and ale. It's dog friendly too. Can get very crowded at lunchtimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otherwayup Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 South it is then. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otherwayup Posted July 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 South Oxford canal turned out to be a cracking choice. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 (edited) Hatton country world always something going on if you head towards Calverton locks nice country side and watch the missus getting into a lather opening the locks for you priceless Strafford is a nice place to stop for theater and eateries Coventry canals plenty of good pubs and eateries Sutton stop near Bedworth you can stop off and enjoy the air rifle shooting range if you need a day off and plenty of shopping for the fair lady a short taxi ride away there is loads of shopping in Coventry the greyhound pub excellent beer and food highly recommended enjoy holidays are not where you are but the people you are with Edited July 15, 2018 by Saltings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackthorn Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 Eldest daughter and her feller live on one, water jipoes, they more at Sutton stop every now and then very nice?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 was out this morning checking fishing licence on the canal from littleborough to hebden bridge water levels very low need some rain desperately, never done a barge trip but do fancy it will have to give it a go, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 (edited) I'm no expert but I do know stretches of the Oxford canal and it is VERY tight in places, and no chance of wide beam Narrow boats, single boat only in some locks and when you first look at them you would probably think they were not even wide enough for that. Certainly some nice pubs and eateries but a bit tatty in parts as well, I guess probably similar to many canals though! Edit, sorry, just noticed this was a while back! Edited July 16, 2018 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted July 16, 2018 Report Share Posted July 16, 2018 All canals are tatty in places, they were built to transport goods to and from industrial centres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 Just don't forget to learn how to use the locks... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-44869566 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 is this what it mean high and dry ☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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