Napton Marina · 3–4 nights

Napton to Cropredy

Follow the winding South Oxford Canal through the Napton locks and open countryside to Cropredy, then return with time for village walks and waterside pubs.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: NaptonSouth Oxford
Time aboard: 3–4 nightsRelaxed short break

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 visitCropredy · Fenny Compton · Napton-on-the-HillExplore these stops

Cropredy
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Fenny Compton
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Napton-on-the-Hill
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 & restaurantsRed Lion, Cropredy · Brasenose Arms, Cropredy · The Folly PubExplore these stops

Red Lion, Cropredy
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Brasenose Arms, Cropredy
Cropredy pub; check its current opening schedule when planning a stop.
Map & reviews
The Folly Pub ★ 4.5/5 · Google
Traditional canalside pub near the Napton locks, serving food.
Map & reviews · Rating source

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.

Stage 1 · Settle aboard
Napton Marina to Napton Lock Flight

Start south from the marina and begin the Napton flight, taking your time to get used to the single locks.
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
Places to visit
Napton-on-the-Hill — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. 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
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Napton Lock Flight. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Stage 2 · On the water
Napton Locks to Cropredy

Continue over the summit through Fenny Compton, then descend towards the village of Cropredy.
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
Wharf Pub, Fenny Compton — Canalside pub and dining stop at Fenny Compton. Access: Bridge 136 or 136A. Visit website Map & reviews
Red Lion, Cropredy — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 152. Map & reviews
Brasenose Arms, Cropredy — Cropredy pub; check its current opening schedule when planning a stop. Access: Bridge 152. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit
Fenny Compton — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Fenny Marina. Map & reviews
Cropredy — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 153. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Co-op, Fenny Compton — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Fenny Marina. Map & reviews
Bridge Store — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 153. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising
Suggested stopping area: Cropredy. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Napton Locks — Lock(s). Access: The Folly pub. Map & reviews
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Stage 3 · On the water
Cropredy to The Folly Pub

Turn at a suitable winding point and retrace the summit and Napton locks towards the Folly area.
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
Wharf Pub, Fenny Compton — Canalside pub and dining stop at Fenny Compton. Access: Bridge 136 or 136A. 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
Places to visit
Fenny Compton — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Fenny Marina. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Co-op, Fenny Compton — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Fenny Marina. 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
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: The Folly Pub. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Stage 4 · Homeward cruise
The Folly Pub to Napton Marina

Enjoy a gentle last stretch back to the marina, ready for your agreed handover time.
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

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