Being Sent to Coventry Is Not So Bad,
If You Are Cruising The Coventry Canal

There are not too many people who would have the Coventry Canal high on their list to cruise. It certainly wasn’t on our “top 5”. So when we learned our boat Stella would be moored at Coventry for the coming year, it was with some trepidation that we found ourselves standing at Club Lane Wharf ready to explore the Coventry Canal.

The people of Coventry have put a lot of effort into the canal and its terminal basin. The basin is an attractive and safe mooring spot, with James Brindley looking over his handiwork.

From Coventry, the first few miles are rather industrial, but well presented with sculptures and paintings along the towpath.

Plenty of history too, as Cash’s building, Daimler original car works, and the premises of the Coventry Climax all lie along the bank of the Coventry Canal canal. First stop is Hawkesbury Junction, or Sutton Stop as it has been known since working boat days.

The Coventry Canal meets the Oxford Canal here, and through the years became a meeting place for boat people.

Here the beautiful iron bridge spans the basin, where the popular Greyhound Inn overlooks the canal, unchanged since those days of the working boats.

You can still feel the working boat atmosphere in the Greyhound, a lively and friendly pub.

There are views across the Oxford Canal, and through the bridge, the Coventry, adding to the great atmosphere.

We enjoyed a very fine pint of Pedigree, Australian white wine, and delicious meal.

From Hawkesbury, we pass another junction, a complete contrast to the Hawkesbury. This is the Marston Junction heading off to the lockless Ashby Canal. Our journey takes us strait ahead, to Bedworth.

A healthy walk into Bedworth is rewarded by a traffic free centre with a nice big Tescos. We found the Navigation, right by bridge 14, rather unfriendly, so moved on.

Here at Hartshill, are delightful moorings, by the old British Waterways yard (above). Lovely views right across the valley, and two fine pubs up the hill in the town.

The Malt Shovell, right in the town centre, is a friendly, low ceiling local selling Pedigree.

The house cat was relaxing by the front door to welcome us.

The Stag and Pheasant, also in town overlook the green. The very helpful staff introduced us to Churches End, a local brewery. A fine oak bar is a feature here, as is the Staffie dog.

There is a well stocked Spa here as well.

The Atherstone flight consists of eleven locks in all, nicely spaced, and easy to use. Well maintained and in pleasant surroundings, there is also a water point, and rubbish disposal by the top lock. Atherstone itself is a very enjoyable town, where we would have liked to spend more time. A very good CoOp down by the railway station, and a variety of other interesting retail outlets.

As we were there early in the morning, we didn’t get the chance to check out any of the pubs!

There are good moorings at Polesworth just past bridge 54. Polesworth is a bright, attractive town, and welcomes canal travelers. Lots of interesting architecture and shops.

Keep an eye open for Pooley Hall, dating from 1509, on the left as you leave Polesworth.

The character of the Coventy Canal becomes suburban as Alvecote, and Almington, now suburbs of Tamworth, approach.

It is worth pausing at Amington by bridge 69, for here the Gate Inn serves Marston’s that we enjoyed sitting in the garden keeping an eye on our boat. A good family pub.

This is because this section was once part of the Birmingham and Fazely, whose practice it was to name their bridges.

This is a particularly pretty part of the canal, and our moorings at Hopwas, just passed School Bridge, gave lovely views over the River Tame.

The town of Hopwas is a delightful town with attractive buildings and two canal side pubs.

Although there is a firing range nearby, we found it a very peaceful place.

It is hard to choose between the two pubs, so we suggest you try them both. The Red Lion is a large local with big lounge-dine area, an outside deck overlooks the lawn and canal.

We took our Bombardiers and wine out to the lawn to one of many tables and chairs and admired the passing boats, (below right).

Good meals were being served.

On leaving Hopwas the Coventry Canal winds its way through more pleasant scenery, joined again by the railway. Fisherwick, then Whittington add to the interest.

This is a particularly attractive part of the Coventry canal, and the homes and gardens of Fisherwick

face the canal.

If you have time, Whittington is a friendly village, with extremely friendly people. (Hi Eric

and Doreen!) The Swan was closed, but a well stocked Co-Op helped us out with supplies.

The Plough, at Huddersfield was quite unfriendly, so we walked into Litchfield.

From the pleasant moorings by Huddlesford, it is a brief cruise down past Streethay Wharf, from where the Rykland Road kept us company, to the Coventry’s conclusion at Fradley Junction.

One of the most photographed junctions on the British Canals, the centre piece is the Swan, proudly dominating the junction.

Another pub with realcharacter, The Swan looks out over the Canal, and is popular with both boaters and motorists. They serve Abbotts, and have interesting canal company logos around the walls. A nice restaurant as well.

There is also a B.W. shop, water point and rubbish disposal, plus the Swan Line hire boat base.

A great place to more, there is good spots from bridge 91 onwards.

From here, one can cruise on to the Trent and Mersey to Great Heyward and beyond, to down to Shardlow.

From Coventry to Fradley is 38 miles, and there are only 13 locks on the section.

We found the Coventry Canal very pleasant cruise, with a good variety of rural, suburban, and industrial highlights The Pearsons Guide to the Coventry Canal is in the South Midlands and Warwickshire Ring edition.

The South Midlands and Warwickshire Ring (Canal companions)

There is a good Coventry Canal map by GEO available, and well worth getting hold of.

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