03/07/2026
CANAL WALKS 2026
GRAND UNION OXFORD ARM - Northampton to Oxford - Supporting Cornwall Hospice and Sue Ryder
Starting close to Cotton End Wharf (near Lock 17), the Northampton Arm at Gayton Junction around 7.30 am.
I am now roughly 5 miles from Northampton itself where the canal branches off to the right, flowing into the town where it joins the Nene.
The cool air allows time to ease in to my stride and soon I am enjoying a tranquil waterside ambience.
I see a couple of joggers and later some dog walkers but mostly the peace is broken by passing trains. This experience is a constant reminder that both canal and the railway were hallmarks of the Industrial Revolution which helped put the ‘Great’ in Britain.
Like the Grand Union Canal, the Midland Mainline also runs from London to Birmingham and they are never far apart.
Passing several marinas as far as Weedon Wharf, I get to see some colourful vessels including one suspended in a dry dock.
Maintenance is key to a long and successful life afloat on these time old, romantic narrow boats.
By 10 am the canal is wide awake as sailors and fishermen make the most of another promising Summer’s day. The last few miles to Braunston provide a lengthy detour away from the canal as its mile-long tunnel signals the end of the tow path for a while.
Walking away from the canal, I quickly locate the Tunnel Path and continue through the woods to a park where a couple walking their dog confirm that I am on course.
The first path leads to the Daventry Road and after crossing, I resume along a farm track. The route exposes me to the glory of Braunston village crowned with a tall church steeple which typifies the region of Northamptonshire. There are no tunnel path signs but the course is easy to follow as there are brick-built air vents interspersed along the way which naturally demarcate the journey.
I’m soon back on the tow path and beyond the next stop lies an inn.
Reaching The Admiral Nelson at Braunston at 1pm, I promptly stop for lunch. It’s just a bowl of soup and bread followed by some soda water.
I still have a few sandwiches but need to keep up my fluid intake during these long hot Summer days on foot.
Kicking on to Warwickshire, I pass the Marina and shortly after bear left to join the Oxford Arm.
BRAUNSTON TO OXFORD
Route Stages & Highlights of this journey break down into several distinct sections.
Stage 1: Braunston to Napton on the Hill (Approx. 5 miles - I think it’s a bit longer!).
Beginning at Braunston Turn, where the Oxford Canal branches off the Grand Union, I follow the towpath south toward the flight of locks at Napton, surrounded by rolling hills and countryside. Sadly, the latter is largely comprised of overgrown brambles which impede my progress and at times I’m close to falling into the canal. It’s a bit tight for a couple of miles and seems more isolated without the roar of a train passing through.
The boaters are friendly and I stop to chat a while with some of them. No sign of Robbie Cu***ng yet!
The last person I talk to kindly fills up my water bottle and goes on to tell of the Folly Inn at Napton which is only minutes away.
It’s still quite warm, so on arrival I collect a cider from the outside bar and sit a while chatting to the owners; they are very helpful and let me put up a tent in the paddock. Before long I’m in the bar ordering a meal while relaxing at the end of an enduring day. Tomorrow, all being well, it’s off to Banbury. Let’s see what joy that brings!
I’m supporting two charities this Summer if any one would like to make a donation to either of the below causes.
Day 2: Napton to Banbury (Approx. 18 miles)
It was a really great evening at the Folly Arms where the proprietors let me camp and barmaid Ellie ensured I was watered and fed for the night. Into the bargain, we were entertained by local musicians who were in great voice and generally, I enjoyed the ambience of this lovely olde worlde pub.
Leaving around 7 am in cloudy conditions, I make the most of a cool start and initially it is a reasonable tow path.
It’s a solitary journey - not a dog walker in sight but soon the brambles return to torment and disrupt my rhythm.
Enough is enough, so I put on my high-vis jacket and sun glasses to protect myself; then I find a stick to knock down any overhanging foliage.
Around 9 am, I run into HS2 works and have to make a diversion. They are constructing a giant bridge which apparently will take years to complete. Soon a sentry sees me through the barrier and directs me back to the path.
By the time I resume, there are a few boaters passing by; I even witness conflict between to mariners disputing right of way. One guy complaining that he had been forced into a stationary vessel. Not good navigation I’m afraid and tempers did get a bit frayed.
My journey continues largely unscathed other than confrontation with the overhanging black thorn. Sections of the path are quite uneven due to erosion of the bank - some of which may have been caused by creatures burrowing. I feel it may be a long morning!
Leaving the canal around 10.30, I walk down to Fenny Compton to collect a sandwich and drink. On my return I pick up my route at the marina where I stop awhile to enjoy further refreshment.
On leaving, I cross a bridge and later, the tow path transfers to the other bank. By now I can hear trains roaring through to Banbury signalling that I will soon be crossing from Warwickshire to Oxford.
I’m high above the canal for a mile or so and when I return to the lower level, I find half a devoured deer on the tow path and nearby feathers strewn between the woods and the bank. There must be some fierce predators in these parts - perhaps the Napton Werewolf the landlord told of the previous evening!
Moving on quickly, I soon arrive at the 5 lock descent at Claydon locks. It’s an interesting experience observing boaters negotiating the flight as they all try and muck in to ease the stress. There’s also a few volunteers on hand to assist with the operation.
Progressing along the staircase, I notice
Bridge 147 looks a bit worse for wear (it needs more than a lick of paint!!) and will soon require a rebuild.
I’m hot and tired reaching loch 27, so retire to the Red Lion for a refreshing drink.
Here, locals give me a colourful overview of facilities that lay in wait as Banbury looms just 4 miles away.
Once replenished, I return to the task of reaching the market town of Banbury which I hope will live up to expectations offering a good choice of amenities and pubs.
The journey drags its heels for a while in the heat of the day but by 4pm I am entering the town in search of food.
There’s no night stopover here and once I have finished a meal at Witherspoons, it’s back to the canal to put in some ‘basic’ overtime. Well - hopefully not too much - just enough to find a place to pitch my tent!
In fact it takes a little longer than planned.
It goes on for hours - largely due to an encounter with some serious bank erosion. Then of course, I wage war on the overhanging bracken.
I’m experiencing a different sort of walk along the canal compared to the usual trails. I seem to spend most of the time hacking through the expanding growth and trying not to fall into the canal!
Eventually, as dusk descends upon the Oxfordshire countryside, I stumble across the Great Western Inn, named after the nearby former railway station (it’s still intact!). It was once a primary stop and the train still runs by at regular intervals serving both the London Marylebone line and West Country.
Well, the folk here couldn’t have been more friendly! Firstly, the bar manager phones the farmer to ensure I have a place to camp and on returning, I’m awarded with free beer and snacks.
They are a great community and do their bit for Charity too; the bar manager is a member of the local fire brigade and fundraises overseas too, participating in the 9/11 Walk each year. A proper, dedicated Fireman’s Union - well done to you sir - you are a wonderful example to humanity.
I chat with a resident boater for a while as we cover a number of topics and have a bit of a laugh too (British politics is so bad it’s comical beyond belief!).
What a great end to the day though I’ll have to share my lodgings with a herd of sheep!
Day 3: The Great Western to Oxford (conclusion).
Armed with much advice and local knowledge gained from the previous evening, I head off into the cool air bound first for Heyford.
The path is better defined so far today with part of the trail set back from the canal affording more comfort and chance to relax. There are even a few benches and I stop periodically to chat with locals participating in their morning exercise ritual.
I’m tired having only slept for 2 hours and as the heat kicks in, I feel relieved to reach the moorings at Lower Heyford where the kind manageress at reception lets me take a shower on one of the narrow boats. Later, I have a nourishing breakfast at Kizzies Cafe where the proprietor tells of wonderful times in Cornwall where she will be holidaying later this month (Helston).
After a lengthy rest and recuperation, I return to the canal to take on the next leg which stretches as far as Thrup.
This section winds through the Cherwell Valley, passing the historic village of Cropredy and meandering through lovely southern Oxfordshire countryside towards the village of Thrupp, known for its historic canalside pubs. Well sometimes!
On arrival at this lovely village, the Boathouse Inn is closed for a private function but a little further on I call into the Jolly Boatman for refreshment.
Marching on, I head off towards Kiddlington where I’m hoping to stop at The Highway Man - a sister pub to last night’s Great Western. Sadly, I never found it!!
There was a mooring nearby and at the next road bridge, I was confronted by a guy with a turban and half a guitar case. He muttered a few choice words as I passed and had also waded into the guy just ahead of me (visiting boater). Not wise really as this bloke was twice his size! (He is a big unit!!).
Thrupp to Oxford (Approx. 8 miles)
This final stretch leads me into the city of Oxford as I pass through scenic wooded areas, the Duke's Cut, and eventually reach the heart of the city via Isis Lock. By this time there are more cyclists than walkers along the much wider and sealed tow path. Shortly after passing the Thames, the canal literally stops dead at a grass bank with a monument marking its origination. Now all that’s left is time to explore Oxford. Happy days!
Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall
https://www.justgiving.com/page/robin-moore-37?
Cornwall Hospice Care
www.justgiving.com/page/robin-moore-36
