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Set in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside close to The Upper Nene Valley cruise the Grand Union Canal all the way to London.
Gayton - The pretty village is set in the Northamptonshire countryside with views to the upper Nene Valley close to the Northampton arm of The Grand Union Canal the village name is linked to the canal and gives its name to Gayton Junction where the Northampton Arm leads to the River Nene.
Milton Keynes - A new city and a place that combines fun and enjoyment of city living with leisure activities see the world famous Concrete Cows designed by Canadian born artist Liz Leyh.
Foxton Locks - Situated on the Grand Union Canal the flight of locks at Foxton was built in 1810 by W H Gwynne a very popular location with boaters, walkers and cyclists visit the Foxton Museum or watch the colourful boats make their way through the locks.
Warwick - Situated on the banks of the River Avon and famous for its historic buildings and for the vast array of antique shops, second hand bookshops, cafes and restaurants the town is famous for the annual Mop Fair and Runaway Mop Fairs which first started nearly seven hundred years ago. The Grand Union Canal runs through the town and joins two of England's largest cities Birmingham and London
Oxford - Is known the world over as the city of dreaming spires and is home to one of Europe's most revered Universities Oxford today offers many shopping opportunities from the well-known high street names to the interesting Victoria Markets.
By Road : The marina is situated off the Gayton to Milton Malsor Road, adjacent to the A43. However, there is no direct access from the A43. Unless noted below, ignore signs to Gayton village.After 2 miles turn right towards Blisworth for 1mile.
In the centre of Blisworth turn left just past Royal Oak pub (200m) towards Northampton. Do not turn into Chapel Lane.Turn left in front of a row of thatched cottages into Northampton Road (to Milton Malsor) for 1 mile.Turn left at the staggered crossroad (to Rothersthorpe & Gayton).Immediately after the bridge over the A43, turn left at the T-junction.Go over the canal bridge and the marina is 300m on the left.
From the M1, exit at junction 15A and take the A43 towards Northampton for 1/4 mile.At roundabout turn left (to Rothersthorpe & Pattishall) for 2 miles to Rothersthorpe.
At the crossroads turn left (to Milton Malsor & Blisworth).After going over the second canal bridge, the marina is 300m on the left.
By Rail: Take the train to Northampton station and then a taxi to the marina (about 5 miles). Please contact the taxi company directly for a fare estimate. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to www.thetrainline.com.
By Air : From Luton, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Birmingham: There are a number of options including rail or coach to Northampton. For information on taxi companies see below. Please contact the taxi companies directly for an estimated fare.
Warwick & Return | The Warwicshire Ring | The Grand Ring | Coventry or Snarestone & Return | The East Midlands Ring | Braunston, Napton or Cropredy & Return | Oxford & Return | Market Harborough & Return | Crick or Welford & Return | Aylesbury & Return | Great Linford, Fenny Stratdford or Leighton Buzzard & Return
Warwick & return
1 week, 35 hours, 72 locks
A very popular week cruise with the opportunity to visit Warwick Castle and the plentiful quaint tea rooms and antique shops
Tourist Information Centre 01926 492212 www.warwick-uk.co.uk
The Warwickshire Ring
10 - 11 nights, 64 hours,120 locks
Convenient from either the Alvechurch or Gayton marinas, this route includes Warwick, Leamington, and the option to moor in the heart of Birmingham with its many attractions accessible from the canal.
The Grand Ring (License Required)
2 to 3 weeks, 114 hours, 175 locks
This ultimate route takes two weeks to complete, but includes plenty to see and do over a three week cruise. An extra licence is required when joining the Thames. The river cruising on the Thames is superb, with all locks manned during the daytime. Visit places such as Hampton Court Palace, Windsor, Eton and Henley.
Three weeks gives time to explore The Paddington Arm which goes right up to Little Venice and London Zoo 0207 722 3333 www.londonzoo.co.uk
Coventry or Snarestone & return
1 week, 36 hours, 34 locks (Coventry)
1 week, 48 hours, 34 locks (Snarestone)
With only 17 locks each way between Gayton and Coventry, this is one of the easiest one-week routes.
Continuing up the remote and rural Ashby Canal offers 23 miles of lock free cruising after Marston.
Moor at Shenton for Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre 01455 290429 www.leics.gov.uk
The East Midlands (Trent) Ring
2 weeks, 82 hours, 115 locks .
A two week cruise travelling as far north as Burton-upon-Trent, this includes the pretty section of the River Soar, north of Leicester.
Braunston, Napton or Cropredy & return
8nights, 16 hours, 26 locks (Braunston)
4 nights, 19 hours, 26 locks (Napton)
Heading north from Gayton through Weedon and Norton takes the Grand Union to the busy junction with the Oxford Canal. Onwards to Napton is peaceful, lock free and rural.
An easy week,
37 hours 62 locks (Cropredy)
Home of the annual August Folk Festival,Cropredy is a quaint canal-side village with two pubs, a church and a village store.
Oxford & return
10 - 11 nights, 66 hours, 104 locks
The "City of Dreaming Spires" needs no introduction, and is an extremely popular route for those who can stretch their holiday to more than a week.
Tourist Information 01865 726871
Market Harborough & return
1 week, 36 hours, 48 locks
A tranquil rural route through rolling Northamptonshire countryside. Pass through Weedon, well known for its antique shops and with a number of good pubs.
The 4-lock staircase flight at the pretty village of Watford and the two 5-lock staircases at Foxton both have lock keepers to hand.
There is also a manually operated swing bridge at Foxton.
Moor in the revitalised canal basin at Market Harborough to explore the lovely town.
Tourist Information Centre 01858 821270
3 nights, 19 hours, 28 locks (Crick)
Heading north towards Market Harborough offers the perfect turning point of Crick, just after navigating the mile long Crick Tunnel.
4 nights, 26 hours, 30 locks (Welford)
A short detour up its own canal arm, Welford has plenty of overnight mooring places, with a reservoir and village to explore.
Aylesbury & return
1 week - 11 nights, 44 hours, 82 locks
A good route for the first timer, we would recommend heading to nearby Bugbrooke for an excellent first night mooring, before turning south. The cruise to Stoke Bruerne is lock free and you pass through Blisworth tunnel, one of the longest in the country, before reaching this historic canal centre with its fine Waterways Museum. 01604 862229 www.thewaterwaystrust.co.uk
Delightful countryside and the Great Ouse Aqueduct at Cosgrove takes you to Milton Keynes, a new town with many family attractions Tourist Information Centre 01908 558300 www.mkweb.co.uk
Experience breath-taking scenery and, on a clear day, a view of the chalk lion of Whipsnade, as you climb the Chiltern Hills to Marsworth junction.
The descent to Aylesbury is through idyllic countryside, with the attractive old town centre just a short walk from the canal basin, where the local canal society are very welcoming.
Tourist Information Centre 01296 330559
Great Linford, Fenny Stratford or Leighton Buzzard & return
3 - 4 nights, 15 hours, 16 locks (Great Linford)
4 nights, 19 hours, 18 locks (Fenny Stratford)
Heading south towards Aylesbury, this route has a taste of everything even in just a weekend break. The two destinations are separated by the 'new town' of Milton Keynes, where the Grand Union Canal forms the centre piece of the linear park.
4 nights, 26 hours, 28 locks (Leighton Buzzard)
The cruise onwards is through the beautiful Ouzel Valley as the Grand Union starts the rise up the Dunstable Downs before the Chilterns. The characterful town of Leighton Buzzard has excellent moorings.
Thank you for the help and advice you gave us, which made our week aboard Castaway such a success. John Temple - Oxford