Southern Oxford Canal
Hours (Approx.): 51
Locks: 68
Miles: 86
One of the oldest and prettiest canals on the whole system, winding it's way south, passing through rural Oxfordshire.
If you want to boat all the way to Oxford, you will need to have longer boating days than those suggested here, and it may be hard to find a mooring in Oxford during busy times. Instead, we recommend stopping at Thrupp and catching a bus to Oxford, giving you more time to explore the city.
Napton Marina to Napton Lock Flight
Pick up boat at 2.30pm, have instruction and proceed to The Napton Lock Flight. Go through 4 locks and moor for the night. It's a short walk back to The Folly pub.
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Points of Interest
Napton-on-the-hill, the home village of Napton Narrowboats.
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© Copyright G-Man, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bottom of the Napton Locks,
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Points of Interest in Napton-on-the-Hill
The Kings Head is ideally situated on the A425 between Southam and Daventry.
It is just a 5 minute walk from Napton Narrowboats
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Pub dining times
Mon to Thursday 12.00 noon to 2.00pm
Mon to Thurs - eve 6.00pm to10.00pm
Fri to Sat 12.00 noon to 10.00pm
Sunday 12.00 noon to 8.00pm
Reservations highly recommended. Please call 01926 812202.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 109,
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Including a Post Office, and offering a range of local produce. Includes a cafe.
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Napton Village Stores is owned and run by a local family, acquired in January 2014, offering a friendly welcome to local regulars and visitors to the village alike. The store itself had a complete refresh and the ‘Napton Kitchen’ was introduced – a home from home place to enjoy a hot drink and a wealth of homemade foods to eat in or take away. Our deli fridge will tempt you daily and we also offer outside catering – we can bring the Napton Kitchen to your home or office.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Folly Lane Bridge,
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Craft Cider & Perry
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Napton Cidery is an award-winning, family-run craft cidery based in Warwickshire. Buy our selection of naturally vegan & gluten-free ciders & perry online. Learn more about our unique cider tour & tasting experiences, around Warwickshire, Coventry & Birmingham.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bottom of Napton Locks,
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The Folly Inn, Napton is a family and dog friendly, warm, local pub with excellent homemade food.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bottom of Napton Locks,
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Section Summary: 2 and a half miles, 4 locks, 1 and a half hours cruising
Napton Locks to Cropredy
Start early and tackle the rest of the Napton flight of locks, then enjoy 4 hours of lock free cruising, stopping at The Wharf at Fenny Compton for lunch. Continue through Claydon flight to Cropredy and moor in the village where there are two pubs, The Red Lion and The Brasenose Arms and a grocery shop
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Points of Interest
The Oxford Canal is raised 48 ft by the 9 Locks in the Napton flight. Napton Bottom Lock is located near Folly Pub Bridge.
A small village 8 miles North of Banbury.
Points of Interest in Fenny Compton
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 136 or 136A,
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17 minute walk from Fenny Compton Marina
An Oxfordshire village 4 miles north of Banbury.
Cropredy Bridge on the River Cherwell was the site of a major battle in 1644 during the English Civil War.
Points of Interest in Cropredy
Cosy pub 100yds from the canal. Cask Marque Ale & food served
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 152,
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300 yards from the canal, from Bar & Garden to al la carte dining, a range of seasonal menus are available.
(Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 152,
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Convenience store right by the canal.
Section Summary: 15 miles, 13 locks, just over 8 hours cruising
Cropredy to Aynho
Today sees you passing through the town of Banbury, a historic canal town, before heading back into open countryside.
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Points of Interest
A historic market town in Oxfordshire.
Points of Interest in Banbury
Supermarket chain for fresh British produce, groceries & baked goods, including store-brand items.
Castle Quay Shopping Centre
Castle Quay has it all in Banbury - enjoy entertainment at The Light, great food and drink at the Waterfront, and over 60 of your favourite stores
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Canalside,
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Northamptonshire village, south-east of Banbury. a 30 minute walk from the canal across both the railway and M40
Points of Interest in Aynho
A beautiful and historic country pub that nestles next to the Oxford Canal. A popular gastro pub renowned for its excellent food, fine cask ales and relaxed atmosphere.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
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A family-run canal-side shop on the Oxfordshire Canal selling groceries, Calor gas, charcoal, boat chandlery, gifts, ice creams and more.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
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Points of Interest in Aynho Wharf
Coffee shop in a converted horse box at Aynho Wharf
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
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Section Summary: 11 miles, 8 locks and 7 hours cruising
Aynho to Thrupp
Continue winding your way south through the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside before stopping at Thrupp, 5 miles outside of Oxford.
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Points of Interest
A village about 6 miles west of Bicester
Points of Interest in Lower Heyford
A historic village pub with a cosy yet spacious interior spread across several rooms. There is also a large, leafy garden.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 206,
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Working boatyard with small shop for basic groceries.
Kirtlington is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about six and half miles west of Bicester. It is about a mile walk from the canal
Points of Interest in Kirtlington
A beautiful village pub about a mile walk along the Oxfordshire Way, from Pigeons Lock.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Pigeons Lock,
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A small Hamlet on the Oxfordshire canal. A handy place to stop and catch a bus from the nearby A4260 into Oxford should you wish to visit the City.
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Location: On Google Maps
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Points of Interest in Thrupp
The Boat Inn, set alongside the beautiful Southern Oxford Canal, is a family and dog friendly canal side country pub which has retained it’s traditional character and local appeal.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Canalside,
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The Jolly Boatman, Thrupp
Pub with exposed brick walls, snug and log fire, plus homemade food and tables by the canal
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Canalside at bridge 223,
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Section Summary: 14 miles, 8 locks, 8 hours boating
Thrupp to Aynho
Retrace your steps back towards Napton Marina
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Points of Interest
Kirtlington is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about six and half miles west of Bicester. It is about a mile walk from the canal
Points of Interest in Kirtlington
A beautiful village pub about a mile walk along the Oxfordshire Way, from Pigeons Lock.
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Pigeons Lock,
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A village about 6 miles west of Bicester
Points of Interest in Lower Heyford
A historic village pub with a cosy yet spacious interior spread across several rooms. There is also a large, leafy garden.
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Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 206,
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Links to more information:
Working boatyard with small shop for basic groceries.
Northamptonshire village, south-east of Banbury. a 30 minute walk from the canal across both the railway and M40
Points of Interest in Aynho
A beautiful and historic country pub that nestles next to the Oxford Canal. A popular gastro pub renowned for its excellent food, fine cask ales and relaxed atmosphere.
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Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
A family-run canal-side shop on the Oxfordshire Canal selling groceries, Calor gas, charcoal, boat chandlery, gifts, ice creams and more.
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Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
Points of Interest in Aynho Wharf
Coffee shop in a converted horse box at Aynho Wharf
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Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 190,
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Links to more information:
Section Summary: Section Summary: 14 miles, 8 locks and 8 hours cruising
Aynho to Cropredy
Heading north, pass through Banbury, a good place to stop to replenish your stores.
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Points of Interest
A historic market town in Oxfordshire.
Points of Interest in Banbury
Supermarket chain for fresh British produce, groceries & baked goods, including store-brand items.
Castle Quay Shopping Centre
Castle Quay has it all in Banbury - enjoy entertainment at The Light, great food and drink at the Waterfront, and over 60 of your favourite stores
Click to show more
Click to show less
Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Canalside,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
An Oxfordshire village 4 miles north of Banbury.
Cropredy Bridge on the River Cherwell was the site of a major battle in 1644 during the English Civil War.
Points of Interest in Cropredy
Cosy pub 100yds from the canal. Cask Marque Ale & food served
Click to show more
Click to show less
Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 152,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
300 yards from the canal, from Bar & Garden to al la carte dining, a range of seasonal menus are available.
(Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Click to show more
Click to show less
Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 152,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
Convenience store right by the canal.
Section Summary: Section Summary: 11 miles, 8 locks and 7 hours cruising
Cropredy to The Folly Pub
Retrace your steps, aiming to moor below Napton flight for the night. A long day, but this will set you for a short cruise in the mooring for returning your boat.
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Points of Interest
A small village 8 miles North of Banbury.
Points of Interest in Fenny Compton
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Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bridge 136 or 136A,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
17 minute walk from Fenny Compton Marina
Including a Post Office, and offering a range of local produce. Includes a cafe.
Click to show more
Click to show less
Napton Village Stores is owned and run by a local family, acquired in January 2014, offering a friendly welcome to local regulars and visitors to the village alike. The store itself had a complete refresh and the ‘Napton Kitchen’ was introduced – a home from home place to enjoy a hot drink and a wealth of homemade foods to eat in or take away. Our deli fridge will tempt you daily and we also offer outside catering – we can bring the Napton Kitchen to your home or office.
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Folly Lane Bridge,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
Craft Cider & Perry
Click to show more
Click to show less
Napton Cidery is an award-winning, family-run craft cidery based in Warwickshire. Buy our selection of naturally vegan & gluten-free ciders & perry online. Learn more about our unique cider tour & tasting experiences, around Warwickshire, Coventry & Birmingham.
Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bottom of Napton Locks,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
The Folly Inn, Napton is a family and dog friendly, warm, local pub with excellent homemade food.
Click to show more
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Pictures: click for a bigger image
Location: On Google Maps
Best Access From: Bottom of Napton Locks,
Click for Route Map.
Links to more information:
Section Summary: Section Summary: 15 miles, 18 locks and 10 hours cruising
The Folly Pub to Napton Marina
Return your boat before 9.00am.
Section Summary: 2 miles, 0 Locks, 1 hour cruising
Guidebooks / Maps
Pearson's Guide: Oxford & Grand Union Companion
The Ninth Edition of the Oxford & Grand Union Canal Companion has been extended to an unprecedented 176 pages.
Routes covered include the hugely picturesque and justifiably popular Oxford Canal between Hawkesbury Junction (on the outskirts of Coventry) and the University City of Oxford; the whole of the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London (Brentford/Paddington) including its branches to Northampton, Aylesbury, Wendover (under restoration) and Slough; the Regent's Canal (with large scale mapping to do justice to central London) between Paddington and Limehouse; and the complete Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal, including the arms to Welford and Market Harborough.
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