Napton Marina · 3–4 nights

Napton to Rugby

Ease into canal life through Braunston, open countryside and Hillmorton. A gentle short escape with time to enjoy your boat.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: NaptonNorth Oxford
Time aboard: 3–4 nightsGentle cruising
Cruising time: 13 hrsApproximate total for the suggested trip
Locks on the route: 6
Distance: 30 miles

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 visitRugby · Braunston · HillmortonExplore these stops

Rugby
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
Map & reviews
Braunston
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
Map & reviews
Hillmorton
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
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 Folly Pub · The Kings Head NaptonExplore these stops

Admiral Nelson ★ 4.6/5 · Google
Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome.
Map & reviews · Rating source
The Folly Pub ★ 4.5/5 · Google
Traditional canalside pub near the Napton locks, serving food.
Map & reviews · Rating source
The Kings Head Napton
Napton pub serving food; use its current website rather than inherited food hours.
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

Estimated cruising time
2h

Locks this stage
Lock-free

Settle aboard on the first cruise towards the canal village of Braunston.
Stage advice & stopping tips
After your handover, take time to get comfortable with the boat and controls. Ask the base to suggest a realistic first stop.
Pubs & food
Food stops in Napton-on-the-Hill — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Find on map
The Kings Head Napton — Napton pub serving food; use its current website rather than inherited food hours. Access: Bridge 109. Visit website Find on map
Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Find on map
Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Find on map
The Folly Pub — Traditional canalside pub near the Napton locks, serving food. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Find on map
Food stops in Flecknoe — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Old Olive Bush — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Food stops in Braunston — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
The Boat House — Pub beside the Grand Union Canal at Braunston. Access: Bridge 91. Operator advertises dogs welcome; check permitted areas before visiting. Visit website Find on map
Admiral Nelson — Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome. Access: Bridge 4. Operator advertises dogs welcome; check permitted areas before visiting. Visit website Find on map
Old Plough Pub & Restaurant — Braunston village pub; its current page lists separate bar and food hours. Access: Bridge 1. Visit website Find on map
The Wheatsheaf — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 1. Find on map
Gongoozlers Rest — Cafe. Access: Canalside at Marina Entrance. Find on map
Places to visit
Napton-on-the-Hill — Explore this village along the route. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Find on map
Flecknoe — Explore this village along the route. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Braunston — Explore this village along the route. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
All Saints' Church, Braunston — Church, Historical Structure. Access: Bridge 91. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Napton-on-the-Hill — Listed local facilities: newsagent / convenience store, off licence, post office. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Find on map
Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Find on map
Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Find on map
Supplies in Braunston — Local shops are listed in this area. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
Braunston Village Stores & Post Office — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Post Office. Access: Bridge 1. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Braunston. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 2 · Enjoy the journey
Braunston to Rugby

Estimated cruising time
5h

Locks this stage
3

Follow the North Oxford Canal and work the Hillmorton locks towards Rugby.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Choose a suitable mooring and leave time to enjoy this stretch. Stops depend on your progress and the conditions on the day.
Pubs & food
The Waterside Pub & Carvery — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 73. Visit website Find on map
Canal Chef Cafe — Cafe. Access: Bridge 71. Find on map
Food stops in Rugby — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Brownsover Moorings. Find on map
The Lounge Kitchen & Bar — Cafe, Coffee Shop. Access: Bridge 66. Find on map
Bell & Barge — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 58. Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Hillmorton — Explore this town along the route. Access: Hillmorton Locks. Find on map
Rugby — Explore this town along the route. Access: Brownsover Moorings. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Rugby — Listed local facilities: post office. Access: Brownsover Moorings. Find on map
Tesco - Rugby — Supermarket at 1 Leicester Road; temporary opening changes are advertised until 29 October 2026. Access: Bridge 58. Visit website Find on map
Marks & Spencer, Rugby — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 58. Find on map
Asda, Rugby — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 58. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Rugby. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
The kettle is on. The view has changed. This is your time to slow down.
Stage 3 · Enjoy the journey
Rugby to Flecknoe

Estimated cruising time
5h

Locks this stage
3

Turn back towards Flecknoe for your return through open countryside.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Choose a suitable mooring and leave time to enjoy this stretch. Stops depend on your progress and the conditions on the day.
Pubs & food
The Waterside Pub & Carvery — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 73. Visit website Find on map
Canal Chef Cafe — Cafe. Access: Bridge 71. Find on map
Food stops in Braunston — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
The Boat House — Pub beside the Grand Union Canal at Braunston. Access: Bridge 91. Operator advertises dogs welcome; check permitted areas before visiting. Visit website Find on map
Admiral Nelson — Braunston pub on the lock flight; operator advertises dogs welcome. Access: Bridge 4. Operator advertises dogs welcome; check permitted areas before visiting. Visit website Find on map
Old Plough Pub & Restaurant — Braunston village pub; its current page lists separate bar and food hours. Access: Bridge 1. Visit website Find on map
The Wheatsheaf — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 1. Find on map
Gongoozlers Rest — Cafe. Access: Canalside at Marina Entrance. Find on map
Food stops in Flecknoe — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Old Olive Bush — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Places to visit
Hillmorton — Explore this town along the route. Access: Hillmorton Locks. Find on map
Braunston — Explore this village along the route. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
All Saints' Church, Braunston — Church, Historical Structure. Access: Bridge 91. Find on map
Flecknoe — Explore this village along the route. Access: Bridge 101 or 102. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Braunston — Local shops are listed in this area. Access: Canal Bridge. Find on map
Braunston Village Stores & Post Office — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Post Office. Access: Bridge 1. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Flecknoe. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 4 · Homeward stretch
Flecknoe to Napton Marina

Estimated cruising time
1h

Locks this stage
Lock-free

Enjoy the final cruise to Napton, arriving at the agreed return time.
Stage advice & stopping tips
For the final night, plan a mooring that leaves a manageable cruise to base. Use the return time agreed in your booking and handover.

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 stop area: Napton Marina. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities

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?

Choose extra days if you would like more time for breaks and visits ashore. 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