dazza666

We are starting from STRETTON-UNDER-FOSSE, which is a few miles north of Rugby, east of coventry.

Sounds like its got to be south then hasn't it! does anyone know the best places to eat going south? I would like to have a good meal especially on her birthday, I don't know if there are any rated (Michelin or otherwise) along that route?

Ok, remember that we are both completely new to boating, and there are only 2 of us. Is that going to be a problem with that many locks? We are fairly young so getting about isn't a problem but i'm sure ive been told by others that its a struggle with just 2 people. Regarding walking, I have the excellent backcountry navigator app on my phone and have pre loaded the OS maps on there, so that *shouldn't* be a problem. I will look at the Nicholsons guides, if the information is out of date however, would I be better off using the phones maps? Do the guides provide tips of places to go and do, walk suggestions and so on? I suppose its a bit of a vote at this point, north or south! - What has the better food and walks?! and of course scenery!?

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have spent many hours reading up on each one of them In the end I found what I think is a good deal hiring from the north oxford canal, it appears that I then have the choice to go north to ashby or south towards south oxford.... Of course the problem now is choosing what direction to go, it looks like if I go north of the route is a lot gentler and there's only four locks but if I go south there is 25 to contend with. What route is better, what one has better scenery, walks from the boats and places to get good food! The boat is 58 foot long which I think is going to be a bit big for first timers frankly but it does have 240 volts and so on which some of the smaller ones didn't appear to have. Does anyone know a good book for that stretch of the waters so I can do some research on pubs, food and things to do on route etc?

interesting, that good to know. From my brief reading the Ashby Canal seems to potentially offer what we want - on the website mentioned above Ashly boats suggested route of Ashby and North Oxford to Braunston appears to be good for beginners with good food options along the way.

That's what I feared! We are based in London but don't really mind where we travel to to start the trip, but I don't want to travel to Edinburgh unless I really have to There is just the two of us, so we don't need a boat that sleeps more than 2 - do we? I don't see any advantages in having a bigger boat, but I am essentially totally naive about the whole thing. I was thinking of a max of around £800 for the 5 day hire, but I can spend more if required... I shall check it out, thank you

Hello all it’s my partners 30th birthday in a couple of weeks and I think that a narrow boat holiday will be perfect to celebrate it! Unfortunately the vast amount of options available is frankly bewildering! Basically, we like good food, pretty scenery and walks – what canal would be a good option for us? The one potential issue is my partner suffers from claustrophobia and I don’t think long tunnels are going to go down well, do all routes have tunnels?, if so are there some that are short (I think ive read some that are 3 miles long) or is there the option for her to walk while I navigate the tunnel on my own Eagerly waiting some advice!