Saddington from Market Harborough
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Cruise this route from : Market Harborough
Route Type : Rural
Days : 5.00 to 5.00
Cruising Hours : 17.50
Number of Locks : 22
Cruising Notes
Day 1
The base at Union Wharf Marina is at the end of the Market Harborough Arm, & you need to cruise for about 2 hours (5 ½ miles) to get back on the the main Grand Union Canal.
It is a lovely rural cruise to Foxton which is at the base of the lovely Foxton flight of locks.
Foxton is the site of a steam powered Inclined Plane, which replaced ten locks and lifted narrow boats 75 feet. It was opened in 1900 but suffered from mechanical and structural problems. The locks were reopened in 1908 and now work beautifully. Whilst here visit the Foxton Museum and gift shop. The well stocked canalside shop offers you groceries, hardware as well as the traditional “roses and Castles†canalware, made and hand-painted on site.
Stop for a cream tea in the canal side cafe or a well deserved pint in the Foxton Locks Inn. Spend a couple of hours watching the colourful narrow boats passing through the staircase locks. British Waterways organise events based on Foxton Locks
Cruising time from Market Harborough to here- 2 hours
Day 2
On the 2nd morning walk along the tow path until you find the friendly British waterways lock-keepers by the Locks. They will take a note of your boat name & tell you roughly how long the wait will be to go through the locks, but there is plenty to do whilst you wait.
The Canal weaves its way through an remote but attractive stretch. There are no villages on the canal here, Husbands Bosworth being hidden by the tunnel.
Look out over the vale of Welland and to the nearby Laughton Hills. Slow down, cruise on and watch mile after mile beautiful and unspoilt countryside unfold .
Enjoy an easy cruise as the canal meanders through unspoilt surroundings passing through theHusband Bosworth Tunnel. The Tunnel is 1166 yards long and was opened in 1813. Stop and moor for a while, stroll into Husband Bosworth for a pub, newsagents and general store. The Bell Inn here serves Real Ale & food daily.
North Kilworth is off to your right, with a couple of pubs- The White Lion & the Swan Inn.
At the Welford Junction turn right up the Welford Arm an overnight mooring makes a pleasant stay with the facilities of the village close by, and you can spend your 2nd night here.
There is even a local on your doorstep – The Wharf Inn, with large well kept gardens by the River Avon. Some open air theatre functions during August. Nearby are the Welford & Sulby reservoirs – a public footpath from the village crosses the causeway between the two reservoirs that supply the canal & provides good views of the wildfowl on both.
It is 4.5 hours cruising to here from Foxton.
Day 3
Turn around in Welford basin, and cruise back through the Foxton locks.
Cruising north will take you towards Leicester and you can visit some of the pretty villages on the way. The canal section just before Leicester is very rural, surrounded by pleasant, typical English countryside.
Just a mile or so away to your left- access from Bridge 72 before the tunnel, is the village of Saddington, the award winning pub - Queens Head in the main street has superb views over Saddington reservoir, and serves a wide range of food.
Visit Saddington reservoir built to keep the canal well watered now a wildlife haven.
Turn just after Bridge 71 & walk into Saddington from there.
It is 6 hours cruising to here.
Day 4
Day 5
It is 4 hours back to Market Harborough, so take a leisurely cruise back.
This route is provided courtesy of UK Canal Boating
The information above is provided in good faith to assist you with planning your canal boat holiday. Information accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
