Warwickshire Ring moorings

[Proper Charlie]

We're travelling clockwise around the Warwickshire Ring in a few weeks time. Most of our overnight stops are sorted apart from this section. We'll have either 3 or 4 days to get from Bodymoor Heath to Braunston and would appreciate advice about good, safe moorings between the two. We're happy to do long days (up to 10 hours) if necessary and although mooring near good pubs is fine, so is mooring in peaceful out of the way places where we can barbecue on the towpath. Is there still a problem at Atherstone, for example, (a search reveals stuff about lines being cut) and what are Polesworth and Hartshill like for moorings? All recommendations gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

[Tonka]

mooring at bottom of atherston is good. no pub but big towpath for bbq

[RLWP]

I have never had any problems stopping anywhere along that section

 

Richard

[nicknorman]

Polesworth: there are VMs and an allegedly good Indian, but we have never stopped there. If you keep going out the other side of Polesworth, past the smelly sewage works, past the windy narrow bit, you will find the railway in close on your right. But just after the canal swings away from the railway there is a farm track bridge, long length of good deep piling before the bridge, really peaceful railway is in a cutting. We often moor there on a weekend out. Atherstone bottom lock area is also good. Atherstone top lock is OK but not our favorite. The area around Hartshill always seems a bit tricky to find somewhere nice - there is a big factory complex that makes an annoying whining noise. The Anchor is just beyond, OK pub and moorings but it can get noisy early from the quarry works. Niuneaton for shopping only IMO! Then Hawkesbury Jn with good pub. N Oxford can be shallow at the sides but we have moored near Brinklow and plenty of opportunities the other side of Newbold tunnel. Good shopping in Rugby. Just before Hillmorton bottom lock is nice.

[Proper Charlie]

Many thanks, very helpful.

[NBDensie]

Lots of good moorings.

 

Polesworth is good. Bottom of Atherstone flight. Atherstone is a pleasant small town and the mooring is fine, we have moored there many times and never even heard of trouble. Its a good stop for provisions with an excellent butchers. Hartshill is OK, nicer moorings a bit further on before Springwood Haven marina. After Nuneaton there is a surprisingly attractive area just before Marston junction around bridge 16. Hawksbury is OK and interesting but busy. Nothing much from Hawksbury Junction until Ansty. Then attractive mooring at All Oaks Wood near Brinklow. Rugby is fine with a large but not well advertised supermarket (Sainsburys I think) south of Bridge 58. The town centre is well worth a visit, though you would need a bus.

[nomad - tuttle hill]

hi

 

I moor at bridge 24 on the Coventry , so this is only my advice - hillmorton locks is all ok - anstey near the water point good local club - Sutton stop at hawksbury - Nuneaton ok only for shopping no over night stop - then after br 24 all ok , spring haven, harthill and atherstone . poleworth and alvecote marine fine ,. at fazley only moor after the junction for b/ham outside the CRT offices on footpath ( Tesco here and lots of good take always) don't moor on b/ham - fazley outside the old mill just after junction.

 

any problem in this area I normally at my boat br 24 Coventry just give a shout if I am around got a car could run you to the shops and back

[RLWP]

Nuneaton ok only for shopping no over night stop

 

We spent a very peaceful night in Nuneaton. Downside was the 'famous' chip shop was shut, Wetherspoons was open

 

Richard

Edited April 28, 2014 by RLWP

[bottle]

Lots of good moorings.

 

Polesworth is good. Bottom of Atherstone flight. Atherstone is a pleasant small town and the mooring is fine, we have moored there many times and never even heard of trouble. Its a good stop for provisions with an excellent butchers. Hartshill is OK, nicer moorings a bit further on before Springwood Haven marina. After Nuneaton there is a surprisingly attractive area just before Marston junction around bridge 16. Hawksbury is OK and interesting but busy. Nothing much from Hawksbury Junction until Ansty. Then attractive mooring at All Oaks Wood near Brinklow. Rugby is fine with a large but not well advertised supermarket (Sainsburys I think) south of Bridge 58. The town centre is well worth a visit, though you would need a bus.

 

Just to clarify this bit.

 

The supermarket is Tesco's and a bus comes into the car park, for a trip into town, every half hour.

 

We regularly walk into town from bridge 58, it takes about 30 minutes. same footpath that goes to Tesco's just keep walking straight ahead.

 

A short distance past Tesco's is a Cinema, Currys/PC world, Maplins, Ranges, Ben& Jerries and few more, Gate in fence like going in the back way.

 

Two bus routes the number 10 and 12 call at Tesco, the no.12 can take you to Sainsburys on the other side of town.

[Richard T]

Polesworth has to be on the list for stopping. It has the best second hand bookshop on the canal system. G and J Chesters to be found by bridge 53 http://www.alibris.co.uk/stores/gandjb78 Allow for plenty of browsing time. Also has a good collection of prints and maps. Can be a bit chaotic but thats part of the fun. The factory at Hartshill can smell a bit - it is a rendering plant for abattoir waste etc. Not dis-similar to the one at Gallows Hill at Market Harborough.

Very nice moorings between locks 9 and 10 on the Atherstone flight and at the top of the locks. Also by Springwood Haven.