Longer Canal Holidays
Choose the journey as well as the destination
Every boat holiday starts and finishes at Linslade, near Leighton Buzzard. Compare the return-trip effort and locks before choosing a destination. You can choose your route after reserving your boat.
Braunston Junction and back
Planning guide: 7 nights
Travel north via Stoke Bruerne, Blisworth Tunnel and Northamptonshire villages.
- Approximate cruising
- 21 hours each way · 42 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 27 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Northampton and back
Planning guide: 7 nights
The Northampton Arm takes you down to the River Nene. Boat-length turning restrictions are explained in the detailed notes.
- Approximate cruising
- 18 hours each way · 36 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 14 wide and 17 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Cassiobury Park and back
Planning guide: 7 nights
Head south over the Chilterns, through Marsworth and Berkhamsted. This week has more locks than the Braunston trip.
- Approximate cruising
- 25 hours each way · 50 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 51 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Banbury and back
Planning guide: 10–14 nights
Follow the Grand Union and South Oxford Canal through Cropredy to Banbury.
- Approximate cruising
- 34 hours each way · 68 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 27 wide and 22 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Lechlade and back
Planning guide: 14 nights
Continue via Oxford onto the River Thames. Read the river-specific guidance and licence information before deciding.
- Approximate cruising
- 58 hours each way · 116 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 74 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Oxford and back
Planning guide: 14 nights
Travel the South Oxford Canal via Cropredy, Banbury and Thrupp to Oxford.
- Approximate cruising
- 48 hours each way · 96 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 27 wide and 39 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Stratford-upon-Avon and back
Planning guide: 14 nights
Travel via Warwick and Hatton before joining the South Stratford Canal.
- Approximate cruising
- 50 hours each way · 100 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 73 wide and 36 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Snarestone Tunnel and back
Planning guide: 10–11 nights
Explore the North Oxford and Ashby Canals via Rugby and Hawkesbury Junction.
- Approximate cruising
- 41 hours each way · 82 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 31 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Paddington Basin and back
Planning guide: 10–14 nights
Head south towards London. Leave time for sightseeing as well as the journey there and back.
- Approximate cruising
- 37 hours each way · 74 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 63 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Thames Ring
Planning guide: 21 nights
A circuit combining the Grand Union, Oxford Canal and Thames. Discuss the river route with the office before choosing your boat.
- Approximate cruising
- 116 hours for the whole circuit
- Locks
- 102 wide, 37 narrow and 36 Thames locks for the whole circuit
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Leicester Ring
Planning guide: 17 nights
A circuit via Foxton, Leicester and the Trent & Mersey Canal. The overview uses 17 nights; discuss shorter plans with the office.
- Approximate cruising
- 108 hours for the whole circuit
- Locks
- 92 wide and 44 narrow locks for the whole circuit
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Warwick and back
Planning guide: 14 nights
Visit Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick. The overview uses 14 nights; discuss shorter plans with the office.
- Approximate cruising
- 31 hours each way · 62 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 50 locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Warwick Ring
Planning guide: 17 nights
Continue through Hatton, Birmingham and the Coventry Canal. The overview uses 17 nights; discuss shorter plans with the office.
- Approximate cruising
- 95 hours for the whole circuit
- Locks
- 148 locks for the whole circuit
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Market Harborough and back
Planning guide: 10–11 nights
Travel through the Watford and Foxton staircase locks, passing tunnels and the Foxton inclined-plane remains.
- Approximate cruising
- 32 hours each way · 64 hours for the return trip
- Locks
- 21 wide and 17 narrow locks each way
Cruising times are approximate and exclude delays. Allow time for locks, stops and your return to Linslade. These are suggested itineraries, not separately booked routes or a guarantee that every waterway will be open.
Leave room for the holiday
Hours each way mean you need time to come back as well. Whole-circuit hours already include the journey back to base. Neither figure includes delays or time spent sightseeing. The detailed guide below retains the landmarks, maps and route restrictions.
New to boating? Start with the first-time guide · Ask us about your planned route · Find your boat holiday
Canal Boat Holidays - Life in the Slow Lane
One of the many delights of canal cruising is the wide choice of routes available. Indeed, in England and Wales there are over two thousand miles of rivers and canals that can be navigated aboard our narrow boats. Take your time and enjoy the slow and relaxed pace viewing the best of the beautiful British countryside, all aboard a Wyvern Shipping canal boat.
The Grand Union Canal
Linslade is situated on the Northern Edge of the Chiltern Hills, just an hour's journey by road or rail from London. Linslade adjoins the Market Town of Leighton Buzzard, which over the last hundred years, has become famous for its sand. Much of this sand was transported by Narrow Gauge Railway to the canal and loaded aboard narrow boats. Many of these loading wharves can still be seen today.
The Grand Union Canal was one of the last canals to be built and opened in 1806 to provide a direct route from The Oxford Canal at Braunston to the River Thames at London. It has many outstanding engineering achievements, like the Blisworth and Braunston tunnels, the aqueducts at Cosgrove and Wolverton in Milton Keynes and the Weedon embankments.
Many of our experienced customers returning from holiday have commented on how the southern Grand Union Canal is one of the most beautiful, varied and quietest of canals with excellent pubs and leisure facilities.
Recommended Routes for Longer Cruises
The following are recommended 7 nights, 10-11 nights, 10-14 nights and 14-17 nights canal boating holidays:
| Route | Nights | Destination | Cruising | Distance | Locks | Also on this route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Union South | 7 | Cassiobury Park & return | 25 hrs each way | 26 miles each way | 51 each way | None |
| Grand Union North | 7 | Braunston Junction & return | 21 hrs each way | 46 miles each way | 27 each way | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| North Oxford & Ashby Canals | 10–11 | Snarestone Tunnel & return | 41 hrs each way | 95 miles each way | 31 each way | 2 aqueducts, 4 tunnels |
| Foxton & Market Harborough | 10–11 | Market Harborough & return | 32 hrs each way | 72 miles each way | 21 wide, 17 narrow each way | 2 aqueducts, 3 tunnels |
| South & London | 10–14 | Paddington Basin & return | 37 hrs each way | 51 miles each way | 63 each way | None |
| Leicester Ring | 17 | Circular route | 108 hrs, whole circuit | 239 miles | 92 wide, 44 narrow | 2 aqueducts, 6 tunnels |
| Warwick | 14 | Warwick & return | 31 hrs each way | 60 miles each way | 50 each way | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| Warwick Ring | 17 | Circular route | 95 hrs, whole circuit | 187 miles | 148 | 2 aqueducts, 6 tunnels |
| Thames Circular Cruise | 21 | Circular route | 116 hrs, whole circuit | 248 miles | 102 wide, 37 narrow, 36 Thames | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| Banbury | 10–14 | Banbury & return | 34 hrs each way | 73 miles each way | 27 wide, 22 narrow each way | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| Lechlade | 14 | Lechlade & return | 58 hrs each way | 126 miles each way | 74 each way | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| Oxford | 14 | Oxford & return | 48 hrs each way | 101 miles each way | 27 wide, 39 narrow each way | 2 aqueducts, 2 tunnels |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | 14 | Stratford-upon-Avon & return | 50 hrs each way | 81 miles each way | 73 wide, 36 narrow each way | 2 aqueducts, 3 tunnels |
2-6 Week Canal Boat Holidays
An extensive six week cruise is a fantastic way of touring the heart of England at an affordable price with no expensive car hire or hotel bills, contact us for more information.
Remember our prices are inclusive of fuel, gas, car parking, TV, DVD player, VAT, bedding and damage waiver!
