Napton Base Information - Black Prince UK Canal Boat Hire, Narrowboat Rental in England

Napton: North Oxford Canal

Boats Available: All boats start on Friday, Saturday, Monday or Wednesday

Ideally situated at the head of the North Oxford Canal, Napton is an ideal base for a large number of interesting routes. The circular route if the Warwickshire Ring is ideal for the more energetic and has the contrasts of beautiful countryside around Warwick, then industry near Birmingham and Spaghetti Junction. Out and back trips of beauty and interest can also be achieved, including Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford, Snarestone, or a visit to the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, depending on the number of locks you wish to negotiate

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Suggested Routes From Napton

1. SNARESTONE AND RETURN
106 Miles, 8 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (LIGHT GREEN ROUTE)
An easy route for the first timer with only a few locks through rural England. Leaving the broad Grand Union Canal at the busy canal junction of Braunston, you turn up the North Oxford Canal into narrow locks by Rugby at Hilmorton, where the British Waterways Architectural Unit is based.

At Hawkesbury you encounter the lock with the smallest lift on the system at 6 inches. The lock free Ashby is a very quiet rural canal which is extremely peaceful with few boats to disturb you. Top

2. STOKE BRUERNE AND RETURN
62 Miles, 60 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 5 hours per day (ORANGE ROUTE)
Another pleasant and easy route cruising on the broad Grand Union Canal where the locks are 14 feet wide, allowing you to share the work with another boat. The start of this trip contains no locks until you get to Braunston Junction - a hive of activity.

Cruising onwards you encounter more locks and turnings to Northampton before entering the 3,056 yards Blisworth Tunnel which opens out into the canal village of Stoke Bruerne with its Waterways Museum. Top

3. OXFPRD AND RETURN
102 Miles, 78 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 9 hours per day (PINK ROUTE)
A busier week down the meandering Oxford canal which is one of the oldest in the country and follows the contours of the land, which makes you wonder whether you are getting anywhere. The only town on the way is Banbury, but there are some lovely villages mainly towards the bottom end, such as Thrupp, Lower Heyford and Shipton-on-Cherwell, with stone built houses, cosy pubs, ancient churches and village greens. Top

4. WARWICKSHIRE RING
103 Miles, 118 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 8 hours per day(YELLOW ROUTE)
Sometimes known as the Midlands Ring, this is a route of contrasts. Starting on the wide locks of the Grand Union, through various locks to the Hatton Flight, you can either divert up the North Stratford to the centre of Birmingham, or carry on up the Grand Union to rejoin near the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Heading out on the narrow canals to Fazeley, you return southwards past Coventry. Diversions into Coventry, Stratford, or up the Ashby should be considered. Don't forget to allow extra time for this

Napton Base Information

Hotels / Guest Houses

Tarsus Hotel, Daventry Road, Southam, Warks, CV47 1NW
Telephone: 01926 813585
www.tarsusrestaurant.co.uk
Double rooms from £70 Single rooms from £55 inc breakfast

The Red Lion, Hellidon, Nr Daventry, NN11 6LG.
Telephone: 01327 261200
Price Guide: Double rooms from £55 / Single Rooms from £45 inc breakfast

Travelodge Regent Hotel, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4AT.
Telephone: 0871 984 6239
www.travelodge.co.uk
Price Guide: contact Travelodge directly for prices

Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Rugby
www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545

Nearest Airport: Birmingham International Tel. 0121 767 5511
www.bhx.co.uk

Taxi / Minicabs

Curtis Cars: Telephone : 01926 811517
Exec Cars: Telephone : 01926 817878
Cardalls Cars: Telephone : 01926 812145

Example Prices:
A taxi from Rugby station to the base at Napton would be approx. £20.00
A taxi from Birmingham International Airport to the base at Napton would be approx. £50.00
A taxi for 4 people from Stanstead or Heathrow Airport to the base at Napton would be approx. £110.00
(Prices courtesy of Curtis Cars Subject to change)

Car Hire

Hertz Car Hire has depots throughout the UK (including main airports). We have an exclusive agreement with Hertz who will provide reduced rates for all Black Prince customers. Drop-offs, collections and oneways are all available, allowing you to pick up a car at your arrival point and request a car to be waiting at the end of your holiday for onward travel. To book your car visit www.hertz.co.uk or call 0870 844 4844 and quote CDP 69481

Rail

www.nationalrail.co.uk / www.qjump.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries: Telephone : 08457 484950

Flying into London

From Heathrow the underground tube train goes through to London Euston station.
From Gatwick the train (Gatwick Express) goes through to London Victoria station and then change to the
tube train to London Euston.
From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Euston.

From London Euston station there is a train through to Rugby station which is about 10 miles from Napton.
Leamington Spa railway station can be reached from London Paddington station or Birmingham New Street
station and is about 9 miles from our base.
Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.

Flying into Birmingham

Get a train to Leamington Spa station (approx. 9 miles from Napton).

How To Find Us (By Road)

Our base at Napton is situated 2 miles east of Southam, Warks, midway between Banbury and Coventry.
If using the M1 motorway, exit at Junction 16 onto the A45. Follow the A45 to Daventry and then take the A425 towards Leamington and Southam. The entrance to the base is on the right hand side.

If using the M6 motorway, exit at Junction 2 and follow the signs for Coventry East (A46). At Ryton roundabout follow the signs for Banbury (A423) until you reach Southam. At the second roundabout turn left onto the A425 towards Daventry. The entrance to the base is on the left hand side.

If using the M40 motorway from the South, exit at Junction 11, Banbury, and follow the signs for Southam on the A423.

If using the M40 motorway from the North, exit at Junction 12, Gaydon, and follow the signs for Southam on the B4451. At the second roundabout turn right onto the A425 towards Daventry. The entrance to the base is on the left hand side.

For your groceries there is a large Budgens supermarket in Southam.

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