Search the Community

I have never done the S Oxford before and always fancied it, so that's my next decent trip out. Two weeks for Alvecote down to Oxford and back should be ample, with time for pubs and a bit of exploring. I might even venture onto the Thames a ways. If I get behind time, and don't make it all the way back, I will just leave the boat and collect it later. Do any of you good folk have some tips for me (S Oxford only as I'm pretty familiar with the North), pubs not to be missed (proper beer and decent grub), must visit locations, recommended moorings etc. Would it be worth trying to fit in a bit of the Thames or should I not bother, if yes then upstream or down, and will I have to pay for an EA visitors licence (I just have the standard CaRT licence)? Any words of advice greatly appreciated as ever.

HI All, setting off this Saturday (9th Aug) From Gayton to Oxford (Planning) for a 12 day trip. If anyone is currently on the South Oxford or Grand Union along that stretch can give me an indication on depths of water along that route and/or average length of waiting times on the locks at this time of year! Be looking out for Forum members on our route and looking forward to meeting some as well! David

Would you mind giving me some of your time and direction regarding proper planning of the following scheme. . . I would greatly appreciate all unbiased opinions given our narrowboating criteria. Next April end of 2014 my friend and I will be flying over from Amsterdam after having spent 1.5 weeks riding bicycles through the tulips and paying our respects to a man who was stationed there during WWII. Once in jolly old England we then wish to float along an exquisite canal for 6 days, with forests and taking in pretty villages and authentic pubs with which to imbibe ourselves (?) of (?). . . various UK ales and the odd scotch. History is high on our list of likes as well as pastoral country settings. We aren't excited about boating past large scale development. Would like to take 1 - 4 hour walks from the boat. We want to actually boat for 3-4 hrs/day maximum. We don't want to deal with many locks. I know that if we don't choose the Llangollen we will have to handle some locks, looking for a maximum of 30 locks (+ or -) in total. We very well could end up staying in one location more than one night and would like to choose the right section of a canal to start from. We may end up only partially boating (half way + or -) the weeklong route. We need to make that part awesome! Do you know of a 3-4 day route that may be perfect for our version of 1 week? Once we figure out the right trip for us, then we can hire the narrowboat. The Nicholson's Guide - would you recommend this once we've chosen a route? Other guides/maps? Can you help me by looking at my narrowed down list of 4 canals and then give me your opinion please (given my lengthy and rather demanding requirements...)? South Oxford Llangollen (Bettisfield) - is where we've been looking at embarking from. (Less than a week travel won't get us to the famous aqueduct me thinks.) Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Ashby Canal Thank you very kindly, Carol