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NORTH
ON THE GRAND UNION CANAL |
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Nicholson’s
N1, Lockmaster L22 to Marsworth & L23 if heading further
north
Heading north, the Grand Union Canal climbs up and over the
Chiltern Hills.
Rickmansworth:
3 nights, 10 hours, 16 locks
The country parks of the Colne Valley and Denham have woods,
mills and an expanse of lakes formed from the gravel and chalk
quarries of the Chiltern foothills.
Hemel
Hempstead:
4 nights, 26 hours, 54 locks
The canal follows the valley of the River Gade through the
wooded parkland of Cassiobury Park.
Marsworth:
1 week, 46 hours, 104 locks
The summit of the Chilterns is reached at the 3 mile level
section past Tring - turn at the Wendover junction if you
want to avoid the 7 locks down
to Marsworth itself.
Aylesbury:
10/11 nights, 56 hours, 116 locks
Enjoy the descent through idyllic countryside to the welcoming
old town of Aylesbury.
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SOUTH
ON THE RIVER THAMES (Licence required) |
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Nicholson’s
N7, Lockmaster L26
Upon joining the Thames you are met with the World renowned
botanical gardens of Kew (0208 940 1171 / www.rbgkew.org.uk)
on the southern shore. Unlike the canal towpaths, the riverbank
is generally private property on both sides, so there is a charge
for mooring in most places.
Weybridge:
4 nights, 22 hours, 32 locks
A fantastic taste of the Thames with a huge diversity of sights
through London's suburbs. Bull's Bridge Junction marks the
top of the 12 lock section of canal down to the Thames via
Osterley Park (NT) and Syon Park (www.syonpark.co.uk).
Cruising the popular recreational area in the region of Hampton
Court Palace (www.hrp.org.uk),
the river is shared with boats of all types and sizes.
Windsor:
1 week, 34 hours, 44 locks
As towns have built up around the Thames, rather than canal
routes designed for efficient portal of goods between established
towns, some of the prettiest and oldest parts of the riverside
towns are closest to the river. Windsor Castle (www.royal.gov.uk),
faces Eton on the north shore, with Legoland (08705 040404
/ www.lego.com)
and Thorpe Park (in Chertsey) (0870 444 4466 / www.thorpepark.com)
nearby.
Reading:
10/11 nights, 60 hours, 66 locks
The countryside opens out after Windsor with the beech woodland
of Cliveden (NT) and Georgian town of Marlow. Probably the
most well known rowing festival in the country takes place
annually at Henley-on-Thames.
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NORTH-EAST
FROM LONDON TO HERTFORDSHIRE |
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Nicholson’s
N1, Lockmaster L22
Head East through London then turn north via the Rivers Lee &
Stort through increasingly rural Hertfordshire countryside.
Central London (Kings Cross): 3 nights, 16 hours, 8 locks
Take the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union to discover the
jewels of Little Venice, Camden Locks and Regents Park in a weekend
break through the very heart of London.
Cheshunt: 1 week, 35 hours, 36 locks
Turning North onto the Lee Navigation you immediately enter the
Lee Valley country park, at first dominated by the embankments
of the city reservoirs. The 10,000 acre linear parkland stretches
from London through Essex and into Hertfordshire with the River
Lee at its core throughout.
Waltham Abbey is an ancient town, its namesake Abbey dating back
to the 8th century.
Hertford: 10/11 nights, 50 hours, 56
locks
Following the Lee Navigation, and associated Country
Park, to its terminus at Hertford, just beneath
the ancient castle. (www.hertfordshire.com)
Bishop's Stortford: 10/11 nights, 58
hours, 78 locks
Many of the old working features of the canal in this area -
such as mills and maltings - have been preserved and converted
to luxury living accommodation. The River Stort is narrow, winding
and beautifully rural, with features such as the Iron Age Walbury
Camp and the old foundations of Waytemore Castle.
Please
note: Cruising restrictions apply on the tidal Thames. Please
ask for further information upon arrival at the marina.
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