52 January 2018 Canal Boat canalboat.co.uk
THE CRUISE GUIDE
Braunston Marina 01788 891373
Dunchurch Pools Marina 07491 650909
Barby Moorings 01788 890486
Grantham Bridge Boat Services
Hillmorton 01788 578661
Clifon Cruisers, Rugby 01788 543570
Willow Wren, Rugby 01788 562183
Rose Narrowboats, Stretton
01788 832449
Brinklow Marina 07711 803430
Lime Farm Marina 01788 570131
Try also: The Boat Shop, Braunston
(01788 891310), Braunston Boats (01788
890179), Midland Chandlers, Braunston
(01788 891401), Union Canal Carriers,
Braunston (01788 890784), Brinklow
Boat Services (01788 833789)
MAIN BOATYARD SERVICES
Chandlery
Gas
Pump-out
Diesel
Holiday Hire
Repairs
Elsan Disposal
Moorings
Slipway
WATERWAYS
FACTFILE
3 MILES / NO LOCKS
STRETTON UNDER FOSSE
Oxford Canal (North)
cuttings. Cathiron has two marinas, both
attractively situated on old canal loops. A
little further on, Brinklow once had a
twelve-arched aqueduct which was filled
in when the canal was widened and
straightened in the 1830s, and is now a
long embankment. Look out for the fine
Horseley Iron Works bridge that spans the
entrance to the old Brinklow Arm, which
once led into the centre of Brinklow
village.
The boatyard at Stretton Stop has all
boating facilities plus a hire fleet, boat
building, provisions shop and chandlery.
This is the site of a former canal toll office.
The old loop arm to Stretton Wharf is now
used for moorings. The Euston main line
railway joins the canal at Stretton Stop
and remains a close companion for the
next two miles. At this point the noisy
railway is replaced by the equally noisy
M6 motorway, followed by a deep cutting
at Nettle Hill where the boater can
disappear into the countryside again.
This quiet rural length leads to the
village of Ansty, which boasts a waterside
pub with an extensive food menu. The
final two miles to Hawkesbury Junction
are overshadowed by the motorway, with
the Coventry Cruising Club’s moorings
situated on an old colliery arm that
actually runs directly beneath the M6.
Our journey finally reaches
Hawkesbury, which marks the junction
with the Coventry Canal. Originally
disputes between the two canal
companies led to the two canals meeting
at Longford, following a parallel course for
over a mile only a few yards apart. It was
twenty-five years before this ludicrous
A winding length of the original canal near Ansty
Unusual farm bridge near Ansty