NAPTONNARROWBOATS
Braunston
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Napton Marina · 3–4 nights

Napton to Crick

A short adventure through historic Braunston, the Watford locks and two canal tunnels, with Crick as your turning point.

Find a holidayFollow the journey
Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from
NaptonGrand Union Leicester Line
Time aboard
3–4 nightsLocks & tunnels
Cruising time
About 16 hrsApproximate total for the suggested trip
Locks on the route
26

Times and figures are planning estimates from our route guides. Cruising stages are flexible, not fixed daily destinations. Confirm your itinerary with us.

Make time for the good bits

A few highlights along the way

A quick look at places to explore and food stops across the whole trip. Tap a card to open the details.

Places to visitCrick · Braunston Tunnel · Watford LocksExplore these stops
  • Crick

    A place to enjoy along this holiday route.

    Map & reviews

  • Braunston Tunnel

    A place to enjoy along this holiday route.

    Map & reviews

  • Watford Locks

    A place to enjoy along this holiday route.

    Map & reviews

Google scores are published snapshots checked on 11 October 2026, not live ratings. Scores are shown only where verified; follow the source or open Maps for the latest reviews. Check opening times and walking access before setting off.

Pubs & restaurantsThe Wheatsheaf, Crick · The Red Lion, Crick · Admiral NelsonExplore these stops
  • The Wheatsheaf, Crick

    Crick village pub whose website welcomes families and dogs.

    Map & reviews

  • The Red Lion, Crick

    A place to enjoy along this holiday route.

    Map & reviews

  • Admiral Nelson ★ 4.6/5 · Google

    Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome.

    Map & reviews · Rating source

Google scores are published snapshots checked on 11 October 2026, not live ratings. Scores are shown only where verified; follow the source or open Maps for the latest reviews. Check opening times and walking access before setting off.

ONE STRETCH AT A TIME

Let your holiday unfold.

Follow the water, find your favourite stops and make room for the moments in between. These stages show the order of the journey; spread them across your holiday at a pace that suits your crew.

  1. Stage 1 · Settle aboard

    Napton Marina to Braunston

    Estimated cruising time
    About 2h
    Locks this stage
    Lock-free

    Cruise the rural pound to Braunston and enjoy the village atmosphere before the lock work begins.

    Stage advice & stopping tips

    After your handover, take time to get comfortable with the boat and controls. Choose a first stopping point that suits your departure time.

    Pubs & food
    • Food stops in Napton-on-the-Hill — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
    • The Kings Head Napton — Napton pub serving food; use its current website rather than inherited food hours. Access: Bridge 109. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
    • The Folly Pub — Traditional canalside pub near the Napton locks, serving food. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Food stops in Flecknoe — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    • Old Olive Bush — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    • Food stops in Braunston — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • The Boat House — Pub beside the Grand Union Canal at Braunston. Access: Bridge 91. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Admiral Nelson — Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome. Access: Bridge 4. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Old Plough Pub & Restaurant — Braunston village pub; its current page lists separate bar and food hours. Access: Bridge 1. Visit website Map & reviews
    • The Wheatsheaf — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 1. Map & reviews
    • Gongoozlers Rest — Cafe. Access: Canalside at Marina Entrance. Map & reviews
    Places to visit
    • Napton-on-the-Hill — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
    • Flecknoe — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    • Braunston — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • All Saints' Church, Braunston — Church, Historical Structure. Access: Bridge 91. Map & reviews
    Shops & essentials
    • Supplies in Napton-on-the-Hill — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
    • Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Supplies in Braunston — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • Braunston Village Stores & Post Office — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Post Office. Access: Bridge 1. Map & reviews
    Moorings & cruising

    Suggested stopping area: Braunston. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.

    Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance

    Lock and tunnel passage arrangements

  2. Stage 2 · On the water

    Braunston to Crick

    Estimated cruising time
    About 6h
    Locks this stage
    13

    Climb Braunston locks, pass through Braunston Tunnel, turn at Norton Junction and work Watford locks before Crick Tunnel.

    Stage advice & stopping tips

    Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.

    Pubs & food
    Places to visit
    • Crick — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 12. Map & reviews
    Shops & essentials
    • Buckby Wharf — Lock(s), Pub, Recycling, Water Point. Map & reviews
    • Co-op, Crick — Groceries and an in-store bakery on Crick High Street. Access: Bridge 12. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Crick Post Office & Stores — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Post Office. Access: Bridge 12. Map & reviews
    Moorings & cruising

    Suggested stopping area: Crick. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.

    Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance

    Lock and tunnel passage arrangements

  3. Stage 3 · On the water

    Crick to Flecknoe

    Estimated cruising time
    About 7h
    Locks this stage
    13

    Turn near Crick and return through the tunnels and Watford and Braunston flights, continuing towards Flecknoe.

    Stage advice & stopping tips

    Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.

    Pubs & food
    • Buckby Wharf — Lock(s), Pub, Recycling, Water Point. Map & reviews
    • The New Inn — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 11 (A5). Visit website Map & reviews
    • Food stops in Braunston — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • The Boat House — Pub beside the Grand Union Canal at Braunston. Access: Bridge 91. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Admiral Nelson — Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome. Access: Bridge 4. Visit website Map & reviews
    • Old Plough Pub & Restaurant — Braunston village pub; its current page lists separate bar and food hours. Access: Bridge 1. Visit website Map & reviews
    • The Wheatsheaf — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 1. Map & reviews
    • Gongoozlers Rest — Cafe. Access: Canalside at Marina Entrance. Map & reviews
    • Food stops in Flecknoe — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    • Old Olive Bush — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    Places to visit
    • Braunston — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • All Saints' Church, Braunston — Church, Historical Structure. Access: Bridge 91. Map & reviews
    • Flecknoe — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Map & reviews
    Shops & essentials
    • Buckby Wharf — Lock(s), Pub, Recycling, Water Point. Map & reviews
    • Supplies in Braunston — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Canal Bridge. Map & reviews
    • Braunston Village Stores & Post Office — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Post Office. Access: Bridge 1. Map & reviews
    Moorings & cruising

    Suggested stopping area: Flecknoe. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.

    Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance

    Lock and tunnel passage arrangements

  4. Stage 4 · Homeward cruise

    Flecknoe to Napton Marina

    Estimated cruising time
    About 1h
    Locks this stage
    Lock-free

    Cruise the last open stretch to Napton Marina and leave time for your return handover.

    Stage advice & stopping tips

    Follow the return arrangements agreed at handover and allow time for the final approach to the marina.

    Pubs & food

    No named food stops are listed for this stage. Ask the base team for local suggestions and check opening times before setting off.

    Places to visit

    Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

    Shops & essentials

    No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

    Moorings & cruising

    Suggested stopping area: Napton Marina. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.

    Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance

    Lock and tunnel passage arrangements

THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE THE HOLIDAY

More than a journey.

A boat that feels like yours.

Your own kitchen, a comfortable place to sleep and a new view outside. Explore the classes and choose the layout that works for your crew. Equipment varies by boat.

Explore our boats

Leave room for doing less.

Coffee on deck. A towpath walk. Supper as the light changes. A route gives your holiday direction; the best moments often happen between the stops.

Bring your favourite people.

Share the steering, work a lock together and make the evenings your own. Full handover training helps you settle into life aboard.

A LITTLE PLANNING, A BETTER HOLIDAY

Before you cast off.

Use this guide to find your kind of holiday. We will help you check the practical details for your dates, boat and crew.

How much cruising should we expect?

Allow time for locks, tunnel passages, stops ashore and your agreed return to Napton. Choose extra days for a slower holiday. Locks, queues, weather and stops ashore all affect the time you need. Allow a margin for returning the boat.

Do we have to follow every stop?

No. These are suggested stages, rather than reserved moorings or a fixed day-by-day schedule. Choose suitable permitted moorings and agree your return time with the base.

How do we check the route before travelling?

Check current navigation notices and plan your daily cruising before departure. Check CRT notices · Open CanalPlan

Can you help us choose?

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and whether you prefer quiet cruising or an active adventure. Ask our team

START MAKING MEMORIES

Your next chapter starts aboard.

Explore boats and holiday dates from Napton Marina.

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