--- In [email protected], Martin Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... > >Hi everyone > >we are planning a cruise from Preston Brook To Little Venice in > >London. Has anyone any advice as where to visit and avoid on the > >way. We would like to avoid rivers wherever possible. Any > >information > >would be most welcome. Many thanks from Alan. > > > > P.S. we are thinking of a six week cruise, give or take a day > > or two. > > > Since no-one else has answered yet, I will offer my thoughts. > > Through Preston Brook Tunnel > Trent and Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction > Birmingham & Fazeley / Coventry Canals to Hawksbury Junction > Oxford Canal to Braunston > Grand Union South to Bulls Bridge Junction
Our favourite stopping places along here include Bugbrooke, Blissworth, Cosgrove, Soulbury, Grove Church or Slapton, at the bottom of the Marsworth two (great view despite the railway), in between the bottom and second lock up on the Marsworth flight, Bulbourne, you must try and take a detour down the Wendover Arm, Cowroast (for the Thai Restaurant in the pub), Berkhamsted (shopping, restaurants and pubs), Boxmoor, Cassio Park, Ricky (Batchworth), Black Jacks, Paddington Basin (lots of CCTV and security guards). > Paddington Arm to Little Venice Although we've never had problems being inner city it is worth ensuring that your security is good. Do visit the BW Front of House Boat moored outside Subway (the sandwich people) as they have a very good range of leaflets and tourist information. > > Return via Paddington Arm and Grand Union South to Braunston Try and visit Aylesbury, the Aylesbury Arm is absolutely beautiful and there's always a warm welcome from the boat club. > Left at Braunston to Napton Junction > Right at Napton Junction - Grand Union North to Kingswood Junction > Left then right at Kingswood Junction, then up Lapworth Locks > Stratford Canal North to Kings Norton Junction > Right at junction, Worcester & Birmingham Canal to Birmingham > Birmingham Level Main Line to Smethwick Junction > Turn right up Smethwick Locks > Wolverhampton Level to Wolverhampton > Down Wolverhampton 21 Locks > Turn right along Staffs and Worcs > After half mile turn left at Autherley onto Shropshire Union > Shropshire Union to Burbridge Junction > Turn right along Middlewich Arm to Middlewich > Turn left along Trent and Mersey > Back to Preston Brook > > Some opportunities to vary that. For instance, from Birmingham you could > go through Netherton Tunnel and down the Stourbridge Canal, turning > right along to Staffs and Worcs to Autherley. If you did the route in > reverse, and found yourself coming back with plenty of time, you could > deviate via the Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Ashton and Bridgewater. > -- > Martin Clark > > Internet Boaters' Database http://www.lock13.co.uk/boats > Pennine Waterways Website http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk > HTH, Debbi nb TIAMI
