A. The get in is below the lock and is best done from the lock landing below the bridge that you’ve driven over, immediately below lock number 38. Take care walking down the road and use the gateway onto the towpath next to the bridge.

B. The lock landing is used by narrow boaters approaching the lock (and leaving it) to get their crew on and off, so don’t leave craft on the lock landing until you’re ready to launch. There’s plenty of space on the slope around it.

C. When you get on the water, make sure that you can get straight on and go through bridge 47a as quickly as possible, as it can get a bit tight if you’re on the water and a boat comes through and needs to use the lock landing.

D. From this spot you can see three ages of bridge building. The original old split bridge, the most southerly of the three. Then the narrow steel bridge (next to lock 38) and the youngest current concrete bridge is the biggest and the only one with a towpath underneath it.

E. Set off turning left away from the lock. Pass under numerous bridges. Always keep to the right when paddling down the canal. The split bridge never lifted but had fixed gaps for the ropes used to tow the boats to pass through as the horses plodded down the towpath. There are some wide points on the towpath at bridges to stop for a picnic.

F. Alternatively, stop at the Navigation pub in Wootton Wawen. There are good facilities in the village, including a craft centre, post office and shops. Get out by Bridge 53 and head down the lane. The craft centre is ahead at the bottom of the lane (100m) and local shops are in the village on the far side of the craft centre.

G. Back on the water, cross the aqueduct at Wootton Wawen.

H. As you approach Lock 39 (known as Odd Lock) make sure you’re ready to jump out on the left at the lock landing. If there’s a boat coming up the lock or following you to go down the lock, keep well clear.

I. Immediately above the lock is a wide bit of canal known as a ‘winding hole’ where boats can turn. Carry your boat around the lock and get on below.

J. Next is the Edstone (or Bearley) Aqueduct, the longest narrow aqueduct in England. Only set off across if there’s nothing coming across. As it’s quite exposed, cross winds can make paddling a little challenging. If you are on a paddle board you should portage the aqueduct.

K. Your finish point and get out is on the left, immediately after the aqueduct. The steps down to the road start here.

L. If you’re really keen, you can paddle back to the start and avoid having to move cars.

M. You can also paddle on down to Wilmcote village with more bridges, twists and turns to explore. The get out for this is the bridge at Featherbed Lane. Access here is good but parking is limited.Note: this can easily be paddled starting from the southern end. There’s a small flow heading south but a northerly wind can be a big help.