Warwickshire Tourist Guide - Articles

For an excellent choice of canal and narrowboat holidays from Napton Marina where the Grand Union and Oxford canals meet, or Clifton Wharf on the North Oxford canal, check out the selection of individual narrowboats available on our Canal & Narrowboat Holidays in Warwickshire page. If you click on the 'View Website' button on any of the individual display pages you will be taken to the webpage for each of the canal boats, where you can check its availability and book securely online.

For details of the availability and to book canal narrowboats securely online follow the links below to marinas in Warwickshire and the Cotswolds:

RUGBY NARROWBOATS from Clifton Wharf & Rugby Wharf

SOUTHAM NARROWBOATS from Napton Junction and Napton Marina,

COTSWOLDS NARROWBOATS from Sydney Wharf, Bath

RIVER CRUISERS from Benson Waterfront, near Abingdon

BRADFORD WHARF Bradford on Avon

HEYFORD WHARF Lower Heyford

LECHLADE WATERFRONT Lechlade

BRASSKNOCKER BASIN Monkton Combe

HILPERTON MARINA Trowbridge


Depending how long your holiday in Warwickshire is, you should be able to cover at least some of these sections of canal: the North Oxford canal, the Coventry canal, the Ashby canal (which is lock-free), the Grand Union, the South Oxford, the Birmingham & Fazeley canal and the Stratford canal. You may also be able to take in some interesting features such as: Braunston – a quaint, traditional canalside village; the preserved canal pub at Hawkesbury Junction; Napton Locks – a flight of 9 locks; Fenny Compton – old wharf and canalside pub; Braunston and Buckby Lock Flights; Stoke Bruerne with its Waterways Museum; the 21 flight Hatton Locks on the Grand Union. Two weeks will allow you to cover the Warwickshire Ring, comprising the North Oxford, Grand Union, Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry Canals - 100 Miles, 94 Locks. If you are feeling energetic, the North Oxford/Grand Union/Stratford Canal ring also covers 100 miles but takes in 170 locks.

Why take canal boat holidays in Warwickshire? Well, according to the authority responsible for British waterways, the aptly named British Waterways, "there is something magical about spending time by water - the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful surroundings, the sights of the wildlife and the passing boats. What better place could there be to enjoy a memorable holiday or a relaxing afternoon? You can explore thousands of waterway miles from the comfort of a holiday boat, whether a traditional canal narrowboat or a luxurious river cruiser. Or you could simply put on your outdoor shoes and take a walk along the towpath. Stop off at unspoiled canalside pubs, discover rare river wildlife, or soak in the stunning scenery. Many towpaths can be cycled, too - the best way to see Britain from the saddle.

Canals and rivers are beautiful in themselves, but the inland waterways' unique appeal comes just as much from what you'll find on the waterside. They're rich in pubs and restaurants, quiet country villages, wildlife sites, museums, and countless more attractions. Discovering life on the other side of the towpath is one of the things that sets inland cruising apart from offshore boating, and that draws so many visitors to the waterways every year." And who are we to disagree.

Although it is stretching things more than just a bit to describe Birmingham as The Venice of England, our second city does, apparently, have more miles of canals than the world's most beautiful city. The interesting thing about travelling these, and any, urban waterways is that you do see the industrial and city-scapes from a much different, and far more benevolent, perspective.

There are a number of locally based operators, as well as national companies, offering Canal Boat Holidays in Warwickshire and around the Warwickshire ring.

Canal & Narrowboat Holidays in Warwickshire
Alvecote Marina at Alvecote
Bidford Boats at Bidford-on-Avon
Clifton Cruisers at Clifton-on-Dunsmore
Clubline Cruisers at Coventry
Grand Waterway Voyagers at Coventry
Canalbreaks at Hillmorton
Black Prince Holidays at Napton on the Hill
Drifters at Napton on the Hill
Springwood Haven at Nuneaton
Valley Cruises at Nuneaton
Viking Afloat at Rugby
Willow Wren Cruising Holidays at Rugby
Copt Heath Wharf at Solihull
Calcutt Boats at Stockton
Napton Narrowboats at Stockton
Ashby Boat Company at Stoke Golding
Avon Boating at Stratford-upon-Avon
Rose Narrowboats at Stretton-under-Fosse
Duke & Duchess Cruising at Warwick
Kate Boats at Warwick
The Wyevern Shipping Company at Warwick
Anglowelsh Boats at Wootton Wawen