the Oxford Canal

The Oxford begins at Hawksbury Junction near Coventry and runs 80 miles through some of England’s most beautiful countryside to Oxford.

What a lovely view from The Greyhound over lawns with ducks and geese resting, to the black and white arch of the cast iron bridge where we began our journey south in Stella in 2005.

There are more iron arched bridges to be seen where the canal was straightened in 19th century leaving short arms and we were able to see birdlife enjoying the quiet waters.

At Newbold we travelled through the only tunnel on the Oxford. This one has two towpaths and passing other boats lit up in the damp darkness is always an added excitement.

Rugby was a good opportunity for shopping and post. It’s good to get back on the boat to continue our meanderings after the bustle of a town.

Hillmorton Locks are the first flight on the canal and are paired, so we walked up to check the lock activity before entering for the 3 lock flight.

We were happy to be back in Braunston again. We first visited in 1992, and were happier still that it had not changed. It is a boating centre with everything a boater needs (and patient marina staff to help one find it), set at the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals below the village.

The Plough in the village is not to be missed and The The Mill House is good for watching the variety of craft that pass this way.

A walk up the Grand Union towards Braunston Tunnel gave us a glance of the beauty of that canal for us to travel another day and a visit to the lockside Admiral Nelson.

After a stroll around the boatyard to check out the boat building and renovation, and to do the laundry we continued on through the paired iron arched bridges and south towards Oxford.

The well maintained towpath and the views of the farmland rolling away on both sides make this a beautiful section for walking.

The windmill on the hill on the left and the Bridge Inn on the right tell us we are almost at Napton where the flight takes us up 9 locks. The walk up to the village via the road or through the farms is one we have enjoyed many times.

The Folly by the bottom lock with its canal history is a good spot to chat to other boaters. The sunsets at Napton are the best we’ve seen in the UK.

On reaching the summit the canal twists and turns through 11 miles of solitude.

Into two long cuttings that were once a tunnel and we reach Claydon. A short walk takes us to the Bygones Museum with many interesting displays in and around the stone buildings of a dairy farm.

It’s a 3 hour cruise, and 5 locks, from bridge 145 down to Cropredy. It is an interesting part of the Canal, and well worth the effort to visit one of England’s finest canal villages.

Site of the famous 1644 civil war battle, Cropredy was recently voted the most popular waterside village in the U.K.

And no wonder, with its delightful little streets, well stocked store at bridge 153, (also an off license,) little post office, and two delightful pubs.

Cruising down to Banbury, the Cherwell River is a companion. The M 40 thunders overhead as Banbury approaches.

Banbury was an old market town, and much development has marred its canal heritage somewhat. However, it is pleasing to see the old Tooleys drydock, where L.T.C.Rolts Cressey was fitted out, is preserved as part of the Banbury Museum.

We found Banbury a bit unpleasant, but well served with shops. Ye old Reindeer,(in Parsons Street) served us a nice Hook Norton’s, the inn dates from 1570.

The new Castle Quay has a fine array of shops, and there is a Tescos on Southam Road.

We were more than happy to be back on the water, heading for Aynho, where Anglo Welsh base once had a base, and we first set foot on a canal boat.

The Great Western Arms, at Aynho Wharf, has a cosy feel and an open fire. They serve Hook Norton, and excellent meals. It is decorated with railway and canal memorabilia.

Site of the famous 1644 civil war battle, Cropredy was recently voted the most popular waterside village in the U.K.

And no wonder, with its delightful little streets, well stocked store at bridge 153, (also an off license,) little post office, and two delightful pubs.

The Red Lion, up from bridge 152, is a classic thatched village inn, serves a fine Ruddles and Directors.

The Brassnose, near the village green, serves a wide range of meals and M & B ales.

In August every year, Fairport Convention performs in their annual festival here.

Good moorings are available above Cropredy Lock.

Cruising down to Banbury, the Cherwell River is a companion. The M 40 thunders overhead as Banbury approaches.

We found Banbury a bit unpleasant, but well served with shops. Ye old Reindeer,(in Parsons Street) served us a nice Hook Norton’s, the inn dates from 1570.

The new Castle Quay has a fine array of shops, and there is a Tescos on Southam Road.

We were more than happy to be back on the water, heading for Aynho, where Anglo Welsh base once had a base, and we first set foot on a canal boat.

The Great Western Arms, at Aynho Wharf, has a cosy feel and an open fire. They serve Hook Norton, and excellent meals. It is decorated with railway and canal memorabilia.

Aynho village has the classical mansion Aynho Park built on the foundations of a Norman Castle, in contrast to the thatched Oxfordshire stone cottages with fruit trees trained up their walls.Onwards south and through Somerton Deep Lock, the deepest on the Oxford Canal.The canal here is more like a river with a walking track through the fields rather than a towpath.Heyford Wharf provides another narrowboat hire base. Like Aynho, Lower Heyford has a historic house, Rousham House with beautiful gardens.

The Bell, at Lower Heyford is a beautifull old vine covered pub in Market Square, sellingAdnams and Greene King Ales. Very cosy and friendly.

The next 5 kms through the Cherwell Valley is very scenic with pleasantly placed locks with beautiful views over the open country. Between Bakers Lock and Shipton Weir Lock the canal becomes the river and it can be an exciting section when the river is high.

The Cherwell heads south east at Shipton Weir and after Bridge 220 the canal becomes wide and shallow with reeds, lilies and subsequent birdlife.

Thrupp is beautifully small yet boasts two great pubs The Boat with its attractive garden and The Jolly Boatman with canal side seating.

Mooring can be in demand here, even though there are no shops in the village at all.

After Duke’s Cut (a short cut to the Thames for those not wanting to visit Oxford) the canal side gradually becomes less rural and more suburban.

We travel past the gardens of Victorian villas of North Oxford and many residential boats.

And so to Oxford. As the Oxford began with a beautiful iron arched bridge, so it has the elegant iron bridge at Louise Lock. It also has a very useful 70’ winding hole for those not venturing onto the mighty Thames.

From Hawesbury Junction, to Oxford, we have travelled 77miles, been through 43 locks, and, as a bonus, a tunnel.

Pearson's Canal Companion to the Oxford & Grand Union Canals (Pearsons Canal Companions)

Here is the updated Waterways World guide to the Oxford canal.

Volume One of the Nicholsons Guide has an extensive coverage of the Oxford Canal.

The recently updated Video Active DVD of the oxford Canal is available here.

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