Warwickshire Ring

Discover the West Midlands by water, travelling gently through the Warwickshire countryside, and into the heart of Birmingham

Warwickshire Ring 2018-06-20T16:34:05+00:00

A longer popular circuit around the Heart of England

Mixing rural landscapes with exciting destinations, the Warwickshire Ring takes boaters on a delightful 104-mile journey along some Britain’s best-loved canals.

The northern section has 19 locks running up from Lapworth, and then a 10-mile lock-free stretch to Brandwood Tunnel and the canal’s junction with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton.  It takes around 15 hours to cruise the whole canal.

Cruising rings offer a circular route so every day you get to see a new stretch of water, and you don’t have to re-trace your journey.

The Warwickshire Ring takes boaters on a 104-mile journey of discovery around the West Midlands, passing through 121 locks and taking around 56 hours.

This popular circuit takes in sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals.  Highlights include the pretty canal village of Braunston, the awesome Hatton Flight of 21 locks at Hatton, Warwick Castle, Royal Leamington Spa and Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin.

It can be done in a week, but to enjoy visiting some of the fascinating destinations along the way, we recommend holiday-makers complete the Warwickshire Ring a 10-day or two-week break.

To complete this popular circuit in a week, you will need to cruise around seven hours each day.  There’s time to visit canalside pubs and villages along the way, and perhaps one or two major attractions.

What can you See & Do in a week?

To complete this popular circuit in a week, you will need to cruise around seven hours each day.  There’s time to visit canalside pubs and villages along the way, and perhaps one or two major attractions.

What can you See & Do in 10 nights?

To complete this popular circuit in 10 nights, you will only need to cruise around five hours each day.  There’s time to visit a number of attractions along the way, as well as canalside pubs, villages and local walks.

What can you See & Do in two weeks?

To complete this popular circuit in two weeks, you will only need to cruise around for three or four hours each day, giving plenty of time to moor up and visit attractions along the way, as well as canalside pubs, villages and local walks.

Things to see & do

From quiet country pubs and village churches, to exciting historic attractions where history and culture come to life, you’ll find plenty of places to visit on your canal journey.

Hatton Lock Flight

Hatton Locks & Hatton Country World: the epic flight of 21 locks at Hatton, traditionally known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, raises boats up by nearly 45 metres along a two-mile stretch of canal.
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Royal Pump Rooms

The Royal Pump Rooms at Leamington Spa has become a centre for culture and tourism, providing a beautiful home for the town’s Art Gallery & Museum, Café and Assembly Rooms.
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Braunston Canal Village

In the heart of the canal network, Braunston is a great place to stop with a marina, boatyard, fish and chip shop, and plenty of pubs including the Wheatsheaf and Old Plough.
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Wedges Bakery

Wedges Bakery at Hockley Heath uses traditional baking techniques and offers and array of its very own delicious cakes, fresh produce, lunches and baked goods every day.
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The Barley Mow Pub

This superb canalside village pub (public house) offers fresh home cooked food, a wide selection of real ales and extra facilities for visiting boaters, including a laundry service.
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Brindley Place

Tree-lined squares, vibrant bars, international cuisine and an enviable canalside location make Brindleyplace one of Birmingham’s most exciting destinations.
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Birmingham City Walk

Take a guided walk with one of Birmingham’s hugely experienced and passionate Blue Badge Guides and hear their fascinating stories about the city and its people.
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Warwick Castle

This jaw-dropping castle on the banks of the River Avon is said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience, with over 1,000 years of fascinating history to explore and enjoy.
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Baddesley Clinton House & Garden

This stunning moated manor house in the heart of the Forest of Arden, offers visitors over 500 years of fascinating and unexpected stories.
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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Home to the most important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world and the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
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Winterbourne House and Botanic Garden

This delightful Edwardian House with its own Botanic Garden is tucked away in the  leafy district of Edgbaston, only minutes from the city centre.
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Want to get started? 

Start planning your trip

Find your perfect holiday with Great British Boating. Simply select your preferred start location and date and click on “check availability”. 

You can further refine your search by selecting holiday length and berths.

Or you can book directly now by calling us on: +44 (0) 1252 796 402

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