The 24-mile River Soar, or Soar Navigation, flows and weaves its way through the Leicestershire countryside. It provides a lovely day paddle for those who love to just get out on the water. Although the river does flow through Leicester itself, most of the river is actually through the countryside…

Grand Union Canal Harborough Branch

The Harborough Branch, or Market Harborough Branch, runs from the Leicester Arm at Rainbow Bridge, into Union Wharf on the outskirts of Market Harborough. There are no locks on this stretch but plenty of bridges. These include a swing bridge which can be paddled under or portaged depending on your…

Grand Union Canal Leicester Arm

The Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal is one of the longer arms or branches of the canal. The river Soar flows into the Leicester Arm just above the city of Leicester. The canal then continues through the very heart of the city, flowing through sprawling countryside with a…

Grantham Canal

The Grantham canal is under reconstruction. Nature has reclaimed most of it rendering much of the original route unpaddleable. The Canal & River Trust is currently working on restoring parts of the waterway.

Ashby Canal

The Ashby Canal, (or Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal officially, despite never quite reaching the town) is a canal that keeps on giving in terms of flora, fauna and history! Along it’s 22 mile stretch there are no locks, which means no portages along this beautiful stretch either… another win. So what makes…

Grand Union Canal Loughborough Navigation

As the name suggests, the Grand Union Canal Loughborough Navigation forms part of the Grand Union Canal at Loughborough. Just above North Lock at Leicester, the Grand Union Canal becomes the River Soar. The Soar flows from the River Trent at Trent Lock and flows through the city of Loughborough.…

Coventry Canal

Running for 38 miles in the West Midlands, the Coventry Canal is one of the great survivors of the canal network. After heavy bombing during the blitz, it almost didn’t survive. In fact, if it wasn’t for a group of hard working volunteers, the canal would have been lost years…

River Trent

Grade: 1 (up to 2 in parts in high waters) Distance: 94.8 miles The 3rd longest river in the UK at 185 miles long, the River Trent is one of the major rivers in the Midlands. The river rises in the Staffordshire moors and flows through much of the midlands…

Oxford Canal

Meandering through the countryside, the Oxford Canal is a great way of seeing the Oxfordshire countryside. You’ll paddle through pretty little chocolate box villages including Thrupp, Cropredy and Aynhu over the 75 mile stretch of canal with 46 locks. The canal begins in the very centre of Oxford, treating you…

Trent and Mersey Canal

The Trent and Mersey canal is one of the longest canals in the country. Stretching 93 miles from Cheshire, through Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it’s a stretch that can be paddled from many different access points. There’s something for everyone along the Trent and Mersey canal. And, like many of the…

Grand Union Canal Welford Arm

The Grand Union Canal Welford Arm is relatively short with just one lock. This is from Welford Junction on the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union Canal, to a small marina at Welford. Here you can find a variety of amenities. These include a lovely little country pub and separate…

Erewash Canal

The Erewash canal is a great way to explore the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire countryside in a unique way. As you paddle along you will glide right through the heart of the DH Lawrence countryside. You paddle through a range of habitats perfect for nature lovers. The canal begins in Langley…

River Derwent in Derbyshire

Grade: 1-3 The River Derwent in Derbyshire is a beautifully scenic river cutting right through the heart of the Peak District. It drops down through the World Heritage site of the Derwent Valley, through Matlock and Cromford. From here it flows through to Derby before joining the River Trent further…

Nottingham and Beeston Canal

The Nottingham and Beeston Canal is a relatively short paddle at just 2.5 miles long with 3 locks. The canal flows straight through the city of Nottingham, directly under the towering, old British Waterways building, past the court system and past the very popular waterfront venue where you’ll notice hundreds…

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal

The Birmingham and Fazeley canal is rather typical of many canals. It speaks the language of the industrial revolution and keeps the yesteryear heritage alive. The canal is 15 miles long, has a whopping 38 locks along it, and links to the Coventry Canal at Tamworth. It then climbs its…

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