Short break routes (3 - 4 nights) Crick and Return 34 miles • 28 locks • 20 hours Along the Grand Union Canal then towards Leicester Welford and Return 58 miles • 30 locks • 26 hours Continue past Crick to the short Welford Arm with moorings and nearby village Braunston or Napton and Return 44/54 miles • 26/26 locks • 16/20 hours Take the Grand Union Canal north from the base and onwards to the canal village of Braunston and perhaps to Napton Great Linford or Fenny Stratford and Return 38 miles • 16/18 locks • 16/20 hours Head south down the Grand Union to Milton Keynes separating the two destinations with the Canal forming a linear park.
One week routes Aylesbury and Return 86 miles • 82 locks • 44 hours This is a recommended route. After a lock free cruise, you can spend your first night in the attractive canal village of Stoke Bruerne. There are then few locks as the canal winds its way through delightful countryside to Milton Keynes. Begin the climb towards the Chiltern Hills but stop short of the summit and turn right at Marsworth junctionto descend the Aylesbury Arm. The canal basin is just a few yards from the attractive old town centre. Market Harborough and Return 82 miles • 48 locks • 36 hours An energetic route cruising up the Grand Union Canal towards Leicester. On the way to Market Harborough you will meet four tunnels, two sets of staircase locks, and miles of open countryside. Warwick and Return 68 miles • 72 locks • 36 hours A popular one week cruise to Warwick and its famous Castle. Cropredy and Return 80 miles • 62 locks • 36 hours Cruise north to Braunston and Napton, then down the meandering South Oxford Canal to Cropredy, a quaint canalside village with pubs, church and village store, home to the annual Folk Festival.
Two week routes Thames Ring 175 locks • 115 hours The ultimate circuit of the south of England, taking in the Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal and the River Thames.