Napton Marina · 3–4 nights

Napton to Norton Junction

A compact cruise through Braunston’s canal village, lock flight and tunnel to Norton Junction. Turn there and enjoy the rural stretch back to Napton.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: NaptonGrand Union
Time aboard: 3–4 nightsShort canal escape
Locks on the route: 12

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 visitBraunston · Braunston Tunnel · Norton JunctionExplore these stops

Braunston
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Braunston Tunnel
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Norton Junction
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 & restaurantsAdmiral Nelson · The Boat House · The New InnExplore these stops

Admiral Nelson ★ 4.6/5 · Google
Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome.
Map & reviews · Rating source
The Boat House
Pub beside the Grand Union Canal at Braunston.
Map & reviews
The New Inn
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews

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 Braunston

Locks this stage
Lock-free

Cruise the rural pound to Braunston, with time to explore the village and canal junction.
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
Stage 2 · On the water
Braunston to Norton Junction

Locks this stage
6

Climb the six Braunston locks and pass through Braunston Tunnel towards Norton Junction.
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
Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.
Shops & essentials
Buckby Wharf — Lock(s), Pub, Recycling, Water Point. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising
Suggested stopping area: Norton Junction. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Buckby Wharf — Lock(s), Pub, Recycling, Water Point. Map & reviews
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Stage 3 · On the water
Norton Junction to Flecknoe

Locks this stage
6

Turn at a suitable point near Norton Junction, retrace the tunnel and lock flight, then cruise 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
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
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
Stage 4 · Homeward cruise
Flecknoe to Napton Marina

Locks this stage
Lock-free

Return along the open countryside stretch to Napton Marina.
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