Aussie George

Thanks harleyj, We're hoping to have a great time.

Hi Captain Pegg, Many thanks for your suggestions. I have now altered our itinerary to allow for a 4-night mid-week break rather than just a 3-night weekend break. I think these trips are too far from London for us and there appear to be too many locks for my newbies to cope with. You have got me thinking about this one. Although 16 locks and a shortage of canal-side pubs on the Aylesbury Arm would be a major concern for us. I can understand what you mean by motoring through Milton Keynes, but I think the scenery between Leighton Buzzard and MK and between MK and Stoke Bruerne may off-set that disadvantage. There seem to be a few more canal-side pubs also. I would hope we could get through the Blisworth Tunnel and turn around.

Thanks BEngo. Unfortunately, from Puddling Cruises' website, it looks like they don't offer short-break hire, and they are fully booked for June 2020. So this would be northwards from Leighton Buzzard on the Grand Union canal towards Northampton, correct? How far would we get on a short break hire?

Thanks muchly. Thanks muchly

Thanks kindly. From Lower Heyford would you recommend northwards towards Branbury or southward towards Oxford.

Hi everyone, First-timer here on CanalWorld, so please be gentle. I'm looking at doing a short (weekend or mid-week) narrowboat hire during late June 2020. 4 people. Looking for a picturesque canal and a marina that can be reached by train from London in say max 2-3 hours. Any recommendations please? I did the Llangollen several years ago, so I am familiar with basic boat handling and lock procedures. Thanks.