Canal Boating Article: Grand Union
Visit Grand Union from the following marina(s)
Length: Mainline 137 miles – Leicester line 66 miles
Locks: Mainline 166 – Leicester line 59
Tunnels: Mainline 2 – Leicester line 2
Linked to: Trent and Mersey, River Trent, Birmingham and Fazeley, Birmingham Navigations, Worcester and Birmingham, Oxford Canal, London Regents Canal, River Soar, River Nene, River Thames
The Grand Union Canal, mainline, forms part of the Thames Ring with the River Thames and the Oxford Canal.
HISTORY
The Grand Union Canal was the result of an amalgamation in 1929 of several independent waterways. The picturesque Grand Union links London through the Chilterns withBirmingham and it was once one of the busiest canals in the country.
THINGS OF INTEREST ON ROUTE
Crick – A great place to moor in a peaceful rural location and now famous for the annual Crick Boat Show. Built in 1814 by engineers James Barnes and Benjamin Bevan travel through the Crick Tunnel which is 1528 yards long
Braunston – This hill top village is often referred to as the 'Heart of England's waterways'.
Situated on the tow path is The Stop House, where tolls were collected by the Grand Junction (now Grand Union) Canal Company from the boats that passed by.
Braunston Tunnel and Locks – The six locks carry the Grand Union Canal up to Braunston Tunnel which was opened in 1796. The tunnel has a distinctive kink in the middle and is 14 miles long.
Foxton Locks – Take your boat through the 'staircase' of ten locks. Visit the museum and learn the fascinating history of Foxton. Enjoy a pint at the Foxton Locks Inn and then shop for a souvenir at the Foxton Locks Shop.
Hatton Flight - The magnificent 21 flight of locks raise or drop the Grand Union Canal over 146 feet. Travel through the locks and enjoy the stunning views and the wealth of wildlife that thrive in the area.
Stoke Bruerne - Housed in a restored corn mill the National Waterways Museum provides a great day out for families and canal enthusiasts. Housed in the museum are working models which brings to life the unique 200 year old story of our waterways.
PLACES TO VISIT
Aylesbury, Banbury, Coventry, Leicester, Rugby, Oxford, Warwick
