Canal Boat Holiday Base 41 Information - on the Grand Union Canal

Short Break Routes One Week Routes Longer routes Boats from Base 41

About the Area

Base 41 is on the Grand Union Canal just south of Northampton. It is run by one of the best boat operators in the UK, with a friendly, professional service. It is easily reached by rail or road, and is just one hour's drive from London.

Base 41 is only a few minutes drive from junction 15a on the M1 motorway. It has earned an enviable reputation for the standard of boats and service along with the variety of cruising routes available for short breaks, one week and longer.

Routes from Base 41

Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.

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.

Longer 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.