Take a river cruise or come canal cruising with Tranquil Rose

Take a river cruise on the River Thames or come Canal Cruising on the Tranquil Rose
 
 
Route Descriptions 2009

1. Hungerford to Bath (Canal cruising)
11th April to 18th April (7 nights). 48 miles, 67 locks
Our first cruise is very rural and will be a special treat in Spring. We start out between water meadows and wind our way gradually upwards towards Crofton locks. The canal summit passes through the short Savernake tunnel, then we drop down a flight of locks to Wootton Rivers. This is a really charming unspoilt little village. Onward past Pewsey wharf we pass through the wooded Stowell Park with its elegant suspension bridge, the lovely Wilcot Wide Water and under the ornate Ladies bridge. The vale of the White Horse is truly remote Wiltshire countryside, and we pass such isolated hamlets as Honey Street to eventually arrive at the sleepy market town of Devizes with its theatre and canal centre. Next day, we prepare to drop down the amazing Caen Hill locks - 29 of them cascading down the hillside. Bradford on Avon is really a jewel of a small town, with a delightful old-world atmosphere. Here are such treasures as the mysterious little building on the river bridge. We continue on along the wooded Avon valley, passing over the river on fine stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. Soon we approach Bath, through Bathampton, and start to catch glorious glimpses of the wonderful golden stone buildings ranged out in front of us at our destination - the Roman spa town of Bath.                                                                                                       

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2.  Bath to Hungerford (Canal cruising)
18th April to 25th April (7 nights). 48 miles, 67 locks
This cruise takes us on the prettiest parts of the Kennet & Avon canal. Leaving Roman Bath with fine views across the city, we then pause to explore Claverton with its water wheel pump and the American museum. We cross the River Avon on great stone aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff: these still bear the masons' marks in their golden Bath stone. The lovely small town of Bradford on Avon is not to be missed, as it really exudes a charming atmosphere of a past age, with its huge tithe barn as well as charming shops. We journey on through isolated locks and rolling countryside past Semington and Seend, then climb the incredible Caen Hill flight of 29 locks to Devizes. Her we pause to explore the canal centre and maybe the theatre. Next we wind our way through unspoilt countryside to Wootton Rivers, which is a real gem of a village. We ascend to the summit of the canal, through a short tunnel, then pass Crofton steam pump house where we start the gradual descent that takes us to sleepy Hungerford.   

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3. Hungerford to Bath (Canal cruising)
25th April to 2nd May (7 nights). 48 miles, 67 locks
We start out across water meadows and wind our way towards Crofton locks. The canal summit passes through a short tunnel before we drop down a flight of locks. At the foot of the locks is Wootton Rivers, a charming little village. Onward past Pewsey wharf, we pass through the wooded Stowell Park with its elegant suspension bridge, then under the ornate Ladies Bridge. The Vale of the White Horse is truly the heart of the countryside, and we pass such isolated hamlets as the delightful Honey Street to eventually arrive at the sleepy market town of Devizes with its theatre and canal centre. Next day, we drop down the Caen Hill locks - 29 of them cascading down the hillside to the rural agricultural landscape below. Bradford on Avon is a really delightful small town - in some ways a miniature version of Bath, but with a delightful old-world atmosphere. Don’t miss the mysterious little building on the river bridge. We continue on along the wooded Avon valley, passing over Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. Soon we begin to approach Bath, through Bathampton, and start to catch glimpses of the wonderful golden stone buildings ranged out in front of us at our destination - the Roman spa town of Bath.

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4. Bath to Newbury (Canal cruising)
2nd May to 9th May (7 nights). 57 miles, 78 locks
This cruise takes us on the prettiest parts of the Kennet & Avon canal, leaving Roman Bath with fine views back across the city. We pass Claverton with its water wheel pump and the American museum before crossing the River Avon twice on great stone aqueducts, which still bear the masons' marks in their golden Bath stone. The lovely small town of Bradford on Avon is not to be missed, as it really exudes a charming atmosphere of a past age. Leaving Bradford, we journey through quiet countryside past Semington and Seend. Next we climb the incredible Caen Hill flight of 29 locks to Devizes, with its canal centre and theatre. A long section without locks follows, past Pewsey then on to Wootton Rivers, which is a real gem of a village. We ascend to the summit of the canal, pass through the short Bruce Tunnel, before descending past Crofton pump house as we start the gradual descent that takes us through sleepy Hungerford and the picturesque village of Kintbury to our destination in the market town of Newbury.

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5. Newbury to London (Canal and River cruising)
14th May to 23rd May (9 nights). 99 miles, 55 locks
This cruise offers a combination of the ever-popular Kennet & Avon canal with the River Thames. The delightful canal takes us through the lovely water meadows of the Kennet valley towards Reading. Here we join the River Thames, which offers a fine contrast to the canal. First we pass the sleepy village of Sonning, then the towns of Henley (described by Dickens as 'the Mecca of the rowing man') and Marlow with its majestic suspension bridge. Our cruise continues down stream past Cookham (former home of artist Stanley Spencer), the famous Boulter's Lock, Maidenhead and Windsor - until we reach Henry VIII's historic palace and maze at Hampton Court. The stately atmosphere of the Thames is very evident on this cruise through some of its more opulent areas. We shall see some very fine dwellings and scenery before reaching Teddington Lock, where we join the tidal Thames taking us through Richmond and on to Brentford, where we join the Grand Union Canal. We then begin our voyage along the Paddington arm, taking us into London by what seems almost to be a secret route. At Paddington, we finally moor in a tranquil basin known as Little Venice. This cruise gives you the opportunity of visiting the many places of interest and of gaining a close view of the many grand riverside dwellings on route.

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6. London to Godalming (Canal and River cruising)
23rd May to 30th May (7 nights). 54 miles, 32 locks
This cruise features the River Wey, a little-travelled gem of a waterway, which is in the ownership of the National Trust. We leave London by the back door and travel quietly through the outskirts to arrive on the main line of the Grand Union canal. Here we turn left towards Brentford, before joining the River Thames and travelling upstream past Teddington and Richmond Hill. We stop at the grand royal palace at Hampton Court, then cruise towards Weybridge. Here, the truly lovely River Wey heads upstream into rural surroundings. We pass the imposing Coxes Mill and the sleepy hamlet of Pyrford. The countryside here is very pleasing, and we are close to the RHS gardens at Wisley. As we follow the twists and turns of the river, we ascend several pretty locks and catch a glimpse of the deserted priory at Newark. We ascend Papercourt lock (perhaps one of the prettiest of all) before we reach Guildford, a town that makes the most of its river. Further lovely meadowland continues to belie our closeness to suburbia until finally we reach the end of the navigation at Godalming.

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7. Godalming to Windsor (River cruising)
30th May to 6th June (7 nights). 48 miles, 28 locks
On this cruise, we travel the length of the River Wey, as well as some glorious reaches on the River Thames. From Godalming, we journey downstream and at once are away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world as we glide through twisting stretches of this delightful river. We pass through Guildford, and are soon back into farming land as we wind our way through occasional locks including the lovely Papercourt Lock. We pass the ruined Newark Priory and Pyrford Lock, but still with very few signs of habitation until we pass the end of the Basingstoke canal at New Haw. The river continues to twist and turn as we pass Coxes Mill and enter Weybridge. Here we leave the River Wey and join the River Thames. First we turn downstream and head past Sunbury and amongst the islands or 'eyots' in the river to reach Hampton Court. The Royal palace and gardens here are well worth a visit. After resting here, we turn Tranquil Rose upstream and head back past Shepperton and Penton Hook to Runnymede and the site of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. Passing through Old Windsor Lock, we begin to see the Royal Home Park on our left, and we skirt this or several miles to reach our mooring in Windsor itself, within sight of the famous Castle.

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8. Windsor to Oxford (River cruising)
6th June to 13th June (7 nights). 69 miles, 24 locks
This gentle cruise features the Royal River Thames and is always popular with guests. On leaving our mooring in Windsor, we journey upstream past Maidenhead. Then the famous Boulter's Lock heralds the lovely wooded stretch of Cliveden Reach. We arrive at Cookham, where time is available to visit the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery if you wish. Continuing along the very attractive river, we pass through Marlow with its fine suspension bridge, then we pas some very fine waterside properties as we approach Hambleden with its fine mill. At Henley there is the River and Rowing Museum to visit, as well as some fine shops in the town. We pass Sonning, a delightful and peaceful riverside village, After passing through Caversham, a particularly attractive stretch of the river takes us past Mapledurham and Goring and on to Wallingford. After passing through the ornate bridge at Clifton Hampden, we pause at the lovely little town of Abingdon. From here, the river changes its character again and becomes narrower as we pass Sandford before completing our journey to arrive in Oxford, the city of Dreaming Spires.

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9. Oxford to Oxford via Lechlade (River cruising)
13th June to 20th June (7 nights). 60 miles, 20 locks
 This cruise gives you a real chance to appreciate the calm and peace of an English summer's day. The upper reaches of the River Thames conjure up images of bees buzzing lazily over cottage gardens, far from any distractions of the humdrum world. Upstream from Oxford, we are on a picturesque and winding section of the Thames. This is quite unlike the more familiar parts of the river, and is seen far too infrequently. This is an idyll of summer buttercups, water meadows and sleepy waterside villages and inns. The river twists and turns, passing Godstow with its ruined Abbey and Swinford with its fine toll bridge over the river. We pass Newbridge and Radcot to reach Lechlade, passing the old manor at Kelmscot and a fine statue of Old Father Thames reclining proudly by the side of St John's Lock. We pass beyond Lechlade and turn the boat at Inglesham, the limit of navigation of the River Thames. Then we head gently back downstream to Oxford, with its elegant spires and colleges. It would be hard to imagine a more peaceful and stately cruise than this favourite of ours.

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10. Oxford to Newbury (Canal and River cruising)
20th June to 27th June (7 nights). 58 miles, 35 locks
This cruise offers a combination of the ever-popular River Thames with the Kennet & Avon canal.
We leave the dreaming spires of Oxford behind and head downstream to pause at the lovely little town of Abingdon. A particularly attractive stretch of the river takes us to Day's lock where we see the hills of Wittenham Clumps looking down on the river. We pass Shillingford and Wallingford, then cruise on past many fine waterside houses to Goring. At Caversham, we leave the Thames and join the Kennet & Avon canal. Quickly out of Reading, we can soon enjoy the lovely water meadows of the Kennet valley. The canal from here to Newbury is really a Navigation, formed by constraining the river Kennet, and is thus very pretty and also twisting at times. Garston lock is a reminder of the strange turf-sided locks that were once common on this canal. After negotiating several swing bridges, we arrive at Aldermaston, where we pass sedately under the lift bridge while impatient motorists wait for us. Then cruising peacefully on past Woolhampton and Thatcham, we arrive at the fine market town of Newbury.

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11. Newbury to Bath (Canal and River cruising)
2nd July to 11th July (9 nights). 89 miles, 95 locks
This cruise takes us on the prettiest parts of the Kennet & Avon canal, and includes a bonus of a journey to Bristol and back on the River Avon. Our gradual climb from Newbury passes the picturesque village of Kintbury then sleepy Hungerford, known for its many antique shops.
We continue to ascend, passing Crofton pumping house as the locks take us to the summit of the canal. A short tunnel at Savernake is followed by the old wharf at Burbage before a gentle flight of locks brings us to Wootton Rivers, which is a real gem of a village. The canal now winds its way across open countryside to Devizes, with its canal centre and theatre. On leaving Devizes, we tackle the incredible Caen Hill flight of 29 locks. Back on the level again, we pass through Seend and Semington before arriving at the lovely small town of Bradford on Avon. This is not to be missed, as it really exudes a charming atmosphere of a past age. We are now in the lovely valley of the River Avon, which we cross twice on great stone aqueducts, still bearing the masons' marks in their golden Bath stone. We pass Claverton with its water wheel pump and the American museum before Bathampton gives us our first glimpse of Bath, with panoramic views across this fine Roman city. From Bath we descend a flight of six locks, taking us to the lovely River Avon and on to Bristol, where time is available to visit Brunel's SS Great Britain before we retrace our route back up the river to our destination in Bath.

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12. Bath to Bath (Canal and River cruising)
11th July to 18th July (7 nights). 54 miles, 24 locks
This cruise includes a visit to the floating harbour in Bristol, before sampling some of the finer parts of the Kennet & Avon canal. We leave Bath by descending an interesting flight of locks to join and cruise gently downstream on the River Avon. The river meanders through the wooded valley past Saltford and Keynsham before we arrive in Bristol, where there will be plenty of time to enjoy the many delights of this famous city, including Brunel's iron steamship the Great Britain. We then head back upstream to Bath, where we rejoin the Kennet & Avon canal and continue to cruise the Avon valley at a higher level. We leave Bath for the second time through the charming Sydney Gardens and catch glimpses of the magnificent crescents of grand houses, all constructed from glowing golden local stone. The scenery is marvellous as the canal clings to the side of the valley, crossing it on magnificent stone aqueducts at Dundas and then at Avoncliff. We soon approach our mooring in Bradford on Avon, with its huge old tithe barn and wonderful local shops, where we turn the boat to head back through the Avon valley to Bath.

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13. Bath to Devizes (Canal and River cruising)
18th July to 25th July (7 nights). 52 miles, 50 locks
This cruise gives you a chance to visit Bristol and cruise on the River Avon as well as seeing many of the finer parts of the Kennet & Avon canal. From Bath we embark down a flight of locks and head onto the River Avon via Saltford and Keynsham to Bristol. Here there is time to visit the SS Great Britain and admire the harbour area before we make our way back upstream to Bath. Having ascended the locks, we set off up the canal overlooking in the valley of the River Avon. We pass Claverton, famous for its water-powered pump and the American Museum before crossing the river on two fine old stone aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff. Bradford on Avon is our next stop: with its many fine old buildings, it is a joy to explore. From Bradford, we journey across open countryside past Semington and Seend to the foot of the locks at Caen Hill. Taking a deep breath, we ascend the 29 locks to arrive triumphantly in Devizes, a pleasant market town with a convenient canal museum.

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14. Devizes to Windsor (Canal and River cruising)
25th July to 1st Aug (7 nights). 84 miles, 68 locks
This cruise offers a combination of canal cruising on the Kennet and Avon canal, together with some of the grandest parts of the River Thames. We commence our cruise in the market town of Devizes, setting off across a long winding stretch of canal into the Vale of the White Horse. We pass Pewsey Wharf and the delightful village of Wootton Rivers, before ascending a flight of locks to the canal summit. Emerging from the short tunnel of Savernake, we then encounter the locks at Crofton, famous for its steam pumping engine house. The canal then starts a long gradual descent, which continues past Great Bedwyn and Little Bedwyn to Hungerford with its many antique shops. We pass through Newbury and meander down the Kennet Navigation past Woolhampton and Aldermaston. We are reminded from time to time that this is really a 'tamed' river navigation, with water meadows in evidence as we make our way via the old turf-sided lock at Garston to the outskirts of Reading. Here we leave the Kennet & Avon at Blakes Lock and join the River Thames. We slip downstream past the sleepy village of Sonning to arrive in Henley, with its pleasant shops and River and Rowing Museum. Past Hambleden which boasts a splendid old mill, then on to Marlow with its fine suspension bridge over the river, Cookham and the famous Boulter's Lock. A long winding stretch of river brings us to Windsor, and our mooring - overlooked by the famous Castle.

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15. Windsor to London (River cruising)
1st Aug to 8th Aug (7 nights). 75 miles, 32 locks
This cruise gives a wonderful contrast between the wonderful open views along the Thames and
the surprising approaches to London. We travel first upstream from Windsor to pass through Boulter's Lock, which is instantly recognisable from Victorian prints. This is followed by the lovely Cliveden Reach, with lofty tree-line banks. At Cookham, you may wish to visit the Stanley Spencer art gallery. We travel on to the handsome Georgian town of Marlow, where we turn Tranquil Rose to head back downstream. We journey back past Windsor this time, passing the great Royal Home Park. We pass Runnymede and the site of the signing of the Magna Carta, before passing Shepperton to arrive at Hampton Court, where the Royal Palace and gardens are worth a visit. Downstream from here we pass through Teddington Lock onto the tidal river, and start to approach the genteel outskirts of London at Richmond. As we pass the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, we look for the poorly-marked entrance to the Grand Union canal at Brentford. Here we lock up into the canal basin and make our way via Hanwell locks to Bulls Bridge Junction, where we turn onto the Paddington arm of the canal and wind our way past Norwood and Kensal Green to arrive at our destination, the tranquil basin at Paddington, known as Little Venice.

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16. London to Ware (Canal and River cruising)
8th August to 15th August (7 nights). 65 miles, 59 locks
 This cruise first takes us on the Regent's canal, then onto the little known Rivers Lee and Stort. Guests are surprised at the ease with which we can so easily leave the bustling streets of London behind and find tranquillity so close by. From Little Venice we pass by Regent’s Park, then right through London Zoo. We catch a glimpse of the bustling activity at Camden Lock before descending a series of locks and visiting the fascinating Limehouse basin, overlooked by the Docklands Light Railway. We then make our way via the Limehouse Cut onto the River Lee, where we cruise past the many pretty reservoirs to Waltham Abbey. We then find the entrance to the charming and rural River Stort. This river is really a wonderful rural delight, and truly an undiscovered gem so close to London. Here we cruise in splendid isolation amongst water meadows, past several old water mills and the memorable Pishiobury Park. We then rejoin the River Lee and travel upstream as far as the delightful town of Ware.

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17. Ware to Rickmansworth (Canal and River cruising)
15th August to 22nd August (7 nights). 86 miles, 63 locks
This cruise first takes us on the little-known Rivers Lee and Stort. These rivers are really a wonderful rural delight, and truly undiscovered gems so close to London. From Ware, we cruise downstream on the River Lee to join the River Stort. Here we cruise in splendid isolation amongst water meadows, past several old water mills and the memorable Pishiobury Park. We then retrace our steps, rejoin the River Lee and cruise past Broxbourne, Waltham Abbey and the many pretty reservoirs supplying London's water. We turn onto the Hertford Union canal, then the Regent's canal to cross London, through London Zoo and Regent's Park to our mooring in Little Venice. We leave London via the Grand Union canal, passing Kensal Green and Norwood to reach the main line of the canal at Bull's Bridge junction. We head northward to Uxbridge, then up the peaceful valley of the River Colne past Harefield Wide Water and the pretty Stocker's Lock to the tiny canal museum at Batchworth, our destination.

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18. Rickmansworth to Newbury (Canal and River cruising)
22nd Aug to 31st Aug (9 nights). 98 miles, 63 locks
This extended cruise give you a chance to sample the Grand Union canal, the River Thames and the Kennet & Avon canal, all on one journey. From Rickmansworth, we journey south on the Grand Union canal, once the main traded artery between London and Birmingham. Now it is peaceful and pleasant as we make our way via isolated locks to Uxbridge, then begin the descent towards the River Thames at Brentford. The river is wide and imposing as we make our way off the tidal section at Teddington, then past Richmond and Kingston to Hampton Court. Here we will have an opportunity to see Henry VIII's royal Palace and gardens. We journey on past Shepperton and Runnymede to Windsor. The river here is still wide and majestic as we journey on past Cookham (once home to the artist Stanley Spencer). Marlow is a delightful town to spend a little time exploring, and is quickly followed by Henley, home of rowing on the river. Through sleepy Sonning, we reach Caversham and turn from the river onto the Kennet & Avon canal. Swiftly making our way through Reading, we follow the twisting course of the navigation past Theale to Aldermaston. Here we pass under the imposing lift bridge as road traffic gives way to us. Old and new come together at Garston, with the M4 motorway overlooking the old turf-sided lock. Woolhampton proves an opportunity for the skipper to demonstrate his skills, and is followed by a pleasant isolated stretch on the approach to the market town of Newbury.

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19. Newbury to Windsor (Canal and River cruising)
5th Sept to 12th Sept (7 nights).
This fine cruise offers a combination of the peace and tranquillity of the Kennet & Avon canal with the majestic River Thames. We start by meandering through some lovely water meadows, passing through quaint old turf sided locks and many swing bridges. At Aldermaston we descend the elegant scallop-sided lock and pass under the imposing lift bridge. We continue on the twisting course of the canalised river before County Lock heralds the swift trip through Reading to join the River Thames. The river is wide and slow moving here, and we have plenty of time to appreciate the scenery once past the sleepy village of Sonning. We cruise sedately down the great river to arrive in Henley, centre of rowing activity on the river. Cookham is home to the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery and Marlow is a fine old Georgian town. Between these places, there are many wonderful wooded stretches and some very fine houses beside the river. Our mooring is within sight of the magnificent castle at Windsor. This is truly a cruise of pleasant contrasts, on two very different waterways.

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20. Windsor to Berkhamsted (River and Canal cruising)
12th Sept to 19th Sept (7 nights). 62 miles, 59 locks
This cruise combines some of the finer parts of the River Thames with surprisingly rural sections of Grand Union canal. From our mooring overlooked by the famous castle at Windsor, we journey downstream on the Royal River past the great Home Park, then we cruise along some fine tree-lined stretches of the river with some equally impressive great houses. We pass Runnymede and Shepperton before arriving at the Royal Palace of Hampton Court, with its fine gardens and maze. Our journey continues past Kingston and Richmond on its hill to Brentford. Here we leave the river and join the Grand Union canal. Brentford once a centre of great activity with barges offloading goods onto narrowboats to travel inland, but is now quite peaceful. We ascend Hanwell locks before passing Bulls Bridge junction. Now we start to ascend the increasingly pretty valley of the River Colne, past Uxbridge and Denham Deep Lock to Harefield Wide Water and Rickmansworth with its little canal museum. Cassiobury Park was landscaped as a condition of the canal being built through it, and we benefit from some fine views as we meander through the park and on towards Kings Langley. We pass Apsley, where the last cargo carrying boats plied their trade forty years ago, to arrive via a very rural stretch of canal at Berkhamsted, famous for its motte and bailey castle.

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21. Berkhamsted to Stoke Bruerne (Canal cruising)
19th Sept to 26th Sept (7 nights). 44 miles, 40 locks
This cruise on the Grand Union canal is surprisingly rural and scenic, crossing the Chiltern hills to arrive at one of the gems of the waterways. We leave Berkhamsted, passing (of all things) an Indian totem pole by the canal. The locks are spread out as we approach the summit of the Chilterns at Cowroast lock. Ahead of us lies the crest of the hills, and we enter a long and deep straight tree-lined cutting that takes us across the summit to Bulbourne, where the Wendover arm joins the canal. We next descend a winding flight of locks past a series of wonderful reservoirs, which are a haven for wildlife of all kinds, to arrive in the pretty village of Marsworth. We now enter a quiet stretch of canal with wonderful views as we meander through the countryside to Linslade. Passing the Globe Inn, an old boatman's watering hole, we wind our way through wooded rolling countryside to the pretty Three Locks at Soulbury. Fenny Stratford lock marks the start of a long lock-free pound that takes us through some of the nicer parts of Milton Keynes, past some of the old villages that pre-date the new city. We leave Milton Keynes by a great cast iron aqueduct over the River Great Ouse to arrive in the little village of Cosgrove. Once again we enter open countryside, seemingly miles from habitation as we wind our way to the foot of the flight of locks that will take us to Stoke Bruerne. This lovely little village is home to the fascinating Canal Museum.

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22. Stoke Bruerne to Warwick (Canal cruising)
26th Sept to 3rd Oct. (7 nights). 39 miles, 36 locks
This is a very interesting and scenic cruise along the picturesque and rural Grand Union Canal, with tunnels and plenty of locks. Leaving Stoke Bruerne with its Canal Museum, we pass first of all through the famous Blisworth Tunnel (itself over two hundred years old). We journey on past Weedon with its Napoleonic barracks, then through the tranquil Brockhall Park. The ascent of Whilton and Long Buckby locks follows, followed by Braunston tunnel (a long one, with a kink in the middle) before we descend the flight of locks to Braunston village - thought by many to be the heart of the English waterways. We join the Oxford canal under the imposing twin cast iron bridges leaving Braunston, then follow its straightened course to Napton junction, where we turn back onto the Grand Union canal before descending Calcutt and Stockton locks, with their 'modern' paddle gear. A pleasant rural stretch of canal follows, with only occasional locks, (but including the interesting staircase locks at Bascote). Still gradually descending towards the valley of the River Avon, we pass under the old drovers' road at Welsh Road lock, then under the Roman Fosse Way at Fosse locks. We skirt Royal Leamington Spa and cross the River Avon to arrive at our destination in Warwick, famous for its 14th century castle. The peaceful countryside makes this a must for those of you who enjoy the waterways and the history around them.

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23. Warwick to Leighton Buzzard (Canal cruising)
3rd Oct to 10th Oct (7 nights). 66 miles, 50 locks
Leaving Warwick, we descend towards the valley of the Avon, skirting Royal Leamington Spa. A series of isolated locks lead us through the very peaceful countryside towards the grand flight of locks at Stockton. We turn right under the fine twin wrought iron bridges, which announce the village of Braunston. Here we ascend the sweeping flight of locks to the lengthy tunnel and then descend Long Buckby locks beside the railway and the M1 motorway - our passage is much more relaxed than theirs. Leaving the locks and the motorway behind, we pass through the leafy and peaceful Brockhall Park. Meandering on through the countryside, we pass Weedon and Bugbrooke to reach Blisworth village. Entering a deepening cutting, we encounter Blisworth tunnel and on emerging into daylight again, find ourselves at Stoke Bruerne, the home of the famous Canal Museum. More locks here are followed by a lengthy stretch without any locks as we pass Cosgrove and then Milton Keynes (which is best seen from the canal). After the lonely lock at Fenny Stratford and the famous Three Locks at Soulbury, we cruise through a tree-lined section to arrive at Leighton Buzzard.

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24. Leighton Buzzard to London (Canal cruising)
10th Oct to 17th Oct. (7 nights). 58 miles, 63 locks
 The peaceful countryside makes this cruise a must for those of you who enjoy the waterways and the history around them. We start off through open country, rising by isolated locks to arrive at Marsworth, where we continue our ascent of the Chiltern foothills, up the curling flight of locks, accompanied by wonderful reservoirs - a haven for water birds and all sorts of wildlife, to pass along the deeply wooded Tring cutting - a masterpiece of engineering, but today a truly peaceful place. This marks the summit of the canal, and at the quaintly-named Cowroast Lock, we begin our gentle descent towards London. We pass Berkhamsted with its wonderful motte and bailey castle before reaching the sylvan Cassiobury Park and descend more locks past Watford and into the beautiful Colne valley. At Rickmansworth, there is a tiny canal museum and locks lead off to the seldom-visited River Gade. At Cowley junction, we join the Paddington arm of the canal and head due east through the surprisingly pleasant outskirts to our mooring in the delightful basin known as Little Venice.

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25.London to Newbury (Canal and River cruising)
17th Oct to 24th Oct (7 nights). 98 miles, 55 locks
On leaving our mooring at Little Venice, we wind our way along the Paddington arm of the Grand Union canal. At Bulls Bridge, we turn left onto the main line of the canal and descend Hanwell locks to Brentford. On joining the River Thames at Brentford we head upstream, passing Richmond, Teddington and Henry VIII's magnificent palace at Hampton Court. You may wish to explore the palace, gardens or even the famous maze here. There are yet more royal connections at Runnymede and, of course, Windsor with its fine castle. Henley upon Thames is the Mecca of the rowing world, and is home to the fine River and Rowing Museum. Continuing our voyage along the Royal River, we head towards Reading, where we turn off to find the secret entrance to the Kennet & Avon Navigation. This is a most pleasant waterway, taking us through some beautiful water meadows and unusual turf-sided locks before reaching the historic market town of Newbury.

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26. Newbury to Newbury (Canal cruising)
24th Oct to 31st Oct (7 nights). 46 miles, 70 locks
This very rural cruise will be a special treat in Autumn as we cruise lazily along the Kennet & Avon canal with fine autumn colours in evidence. We start out across water meadows to the quiet village of Kintbury and on to Hungerford, known for its many antique shops. Passing Hungerford church, occasional locks take us to the quaint villages of Little and Great Bedwyn. We slowly wind our way towards Crofton locks, where we can see the steam pumping engine which formerly supplied water to the summit of the canal. The short canal summit passes through Savernake Forest and tunnel, passing Burbage wharf before we drop down a short flight of locks to the charming village of Wootton Rivers, which is well worth exploring. Onward by a long meandering stretch of water to Pewsey wharf, then on through Stowell Park, where the trees should make a stunning picture in their autumn colours. Passing under the ornate Ladies Bridge, the canal now meanders through open countryside in the vale of the White Horse past Honey Street and All Cannings to arrive in the pleasant market town of Devizes. Here we turn and retrace our steps back to Newbury.

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If you’re having difficulty deciding which cruise would suit you best, please call us and we’ll be happy to assist you in making your choice.


Thames & Chilterns Holiday Cruises, Pine Cottage, Canalside, Abbey Road, Llangollen, LL20 8SW
 Tel: 07966 248079