Canal breaks within 2-3 hrs of London
Discussion
Last year my daughter and I did a weekend break on the Oxford Canal heading north from Oxford on Fri and returning Monday morning. Had never done it before so it was a bit of a punt - was looking for something that we could enjoy doing together, and it worked our really well.
So, I'd like to do it again this year. Another narrowboat on another canal, with a few locks (but not loads) on it and pleasant countryside to potter through. Within 2-3 hrs drive of SE London ideally. Prob in July,
Any thoughts? I was thinking the Kennet & Avon heading east from Devizes would fit the bill - the countryside looks lovely. But understand that there are no locks on that stretch for 15 miles. I think that could be a teeny bit boring - the locks break things up a bit - so have gone off that idea and now looking for alternatives...
So, I'd like to do it again this year. Another narrowboat on another canal, with a few locks (but not loads) on it and pleasant countryside to potter through. Within 2-3 hrs drive of SE London ideally. Prob in July,
Any thoughts? I was thinking the Kennet & Avon heading east from Devizes would fit the bill - the countryside looks lovely. But understand that there are no locks on that stretch for 15 miles. I think that could be a teeny bit boring - the locks break things up a bit - so have gone off that idea and now looking for alternatives...
dontlookdown said:
Last year my daughter and I did a weekend break on the Oxford Canal heading north from Oxford on Fri and returning Monday morning. Had never done it before so it was a bit of a punt
Did it not come with an engine? 
I've kayaked along the Avon from Tewkesbury and northwards, and it looked nice enough with at least one lock depending on how far you go so worthwhile checking out that area.
Hoofy said:
dontlookdown said:
Last year my daughter and I did a weekend break on the Oxford Canal heading north from Oxford on Fri and returning Monday morning. Had never done it before so it was a bit of a punt
Did it not come with an engine? I've kayaked along the Avon from Tewkesbury and northwards, and it looked nice enough with at least one lock depending on how far you go so worthwhile checking out that area.
Huzzah said:
July will be busy, so pick a quieter canal.
You could try renting from Wootton Wawen, then take a couple of days heading down to Stratford upon Avon.
This is exactly the kind of tip I was hoping for. Have been to Stratford for the theatre many times but for some reason it never occurred to me - tks!You could try renting from Wootton Wawen, then take a couple of days heading down to Stratford upon Avon.
dontlookdown said:
Any thoughts? I was thinking the Kennet & Avon heading east from Devizes would fit the bill - the countryside looks lovely. But understand that there are no locks on that stretch for 15 miles. I think that could be a teeny bit boring - the locks break things up a bit - so have gone off that idea and now looking for alternatives...
Go a bit further west, still travelling east and you have the Caen Locks - 29 locks. That'll probably finish you off. Some nice canal side pubs on that route.
Slow.Patrol said:
Go a bit further west, still travelling east and you have the Caen Locks - 29 locks. That'll probably finish you off.
Some nice canal side pubs on that route.
Yes the Caen locks might be too much of a good thing! Also, many of the hire companies don't let you do the Caen locks, so you have to start either east or west of them. Some nice canal side pubs on that route.
I can't figure out the canal name from google maps, but the canal that passes the 3 locks pub in Stoke Hammond. It also passes quite a few other nice pubs and I think it goes through Milton Keynes. I'm also fairly sure the same canal goes through Berkhamsted, again with more nice pubs. No idea where you would start / finish, but it MIGHT be possible to do a 1 way boat hire and return on the train.
It certainly looks like a nice canal to potter up and down, but I've only ever seen it from land.
It certainly looks like a nice canal to potter up and down, but I've only ever seen it from land.
omniflow said:
I can't figure out the canal name from google maps, but the canal that passes the 3 locks pub in Stoke Hammond. It also passes quite a few other nice pubs and I think it goes through Milton Keynes. I'm also fairly sure the same canal goes through Berkhamsted, again with more nice pubs. No idea where you would start / finish, but it MIGHT be possible to do a 1 way boat hire and return on the train.
It certainly looks like a nice canal to potter up and down, but I've only ever seen it from land.
Grand Union, complete with amazing and alarming 3 mile long tunnel. 🙈It certainly looks like a nice canal to potter up and down, but I've only ever seen it from land.
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