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Routes from
Falls Bridge Wharf

Falls Bridge Wharf is situated near to Rugby on the charmingly rural North Oxford Canal. It is perfectly positioned for a number of interesting and contrasting one week routes ranging from a simple and virtually lock-free trip North up to Snarestone and back via the Ashby Canal, to the impressive Warwickshire Ring for the more energetic. For those with two weeks or longer to spare there is the Leicester Ring. Alternatively, a more ambitious fortnight can be spent traveling down the South Oxford Canal to the River Thames at Oxford, cruising along the Thames to Brentford and then returning via the Grand Union Canal.

Rugby to Banbury (1 week)

75 Miles – 50 Locks – 5 hours cruising per day. 

A relatively gentle cruise through the pretty Cotswold countryside first takes you down the North Oxford Canal via Braunston and Napton Junctions and onto the South Oxford Canal, renowned for its meandering route to the Thames. You will pass charming villages such as Cropredy with its thatched sandstone cottages before reaching Banbury itself, famous for its ‘cross’ and scrumptious cakes! You will need to turn round to head back to Rugby once you are halfway through your holiday.

Rugby to Stoke Bruerne (1 week)

42 Miles – 30 Locks – 4+hours cruising per day. 

This interesting trip takes you down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston where you join the Grand Union Canal heading southwards towards London. This is essentially a rural route that incorporates several very impressive tunnels including Blisworth Tunnel which is over 3,000 yards long! The village of Stoke Bruerne awaits you as you emerge from Blisworth and we recommend that you take time to visit the excellent Canal Museum here. Milton Keynes is the next point of interest with its wealth of attractions and the more energetic crews might even push on to Leighton Buzzard before retracing their steps to Rugby.

Warwickshire Ring (1 week)

103 Miles -107 Locks – 9 hours cruising per day.

A rather more energetic week than some, but it is well worth the effort as it provides you with a cruise remarkable for its contrasts. You set off up the Grand Union Canal to Warwick with its fine castle. The next stop is Birmingham with all its amenities. Once you reach the International Convention Centre, you branch off down the Birmingham Fazeley Canal, which takes you out under ‘Spaghetti Junction’ to Coventry Canal, where you turn South past Coventry back to Rugby. There are a number of things to see and do on this most popular of trips and if you can make time, visits to Coventry, Stratford or up the Ashby Canal are a real bonus.

Rugby to Market Harborough (1 week)

65 Miles – 50 Locks – 5 hours cruising per day.

Another ‘out and back’ trip, but well worth considering if you don’t mind a bit of exercise and are seeking something a bit different. This route involves cruising down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston and then heading up the Grand Union (Leicester Section) Canal towards Leicester itself. On the way to Market Harborough you will encounter no less than four tunnels, two sets of staircase locks and mile after mile of open countryside. At Foxton, you can explore the site of the short-lived Inclined Plane that was built to overcome the need for such an impressive flight of ten locks. At the foot of these locks is the canal arm that leads to Market Harborough where you can rest and recuperate before tackling the return journey.

Leicester Ring (2 weeks)

151 Miles – 100 Locks – 5 hours cruising per day.

A really pleasant two week cruise through parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire which involves cruising on rivers as well as canals. This route takes you up the Grand Union (Leicester Section) Canal to the Foxton flight of locks (see tour 12); from here you travel on to Leicester itself where you join the River Soar. You continue along the Soar to Trent Junction, where you briefly join the River Trent which takes you up to Sawley. At this point you rejoin the canal system and complete the ring by way of the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction, the Coventry Canal to Hawkesbury Junction and the Oxford Canal back finally to Rugby.

Short breaks – Weekend or Midweek

For the non-energetic

There is a relaxing, almost lock-free trip to Snarestone, traveling up the North Oxford and Ashby Canals, before returning to Rugby.

For those of you looking for more activity (and locks) there are trips down the South Oxford Canal to Stockton, down the Grand Union Canal to Stoke Bruerne (National Waterways Museum), or up the Grand Union Canal to Warwick with its beautiful castle.

Finally there is a pleasant four day break (mid-week)to Crick and back, along the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section).

All these trips require you to turn round half way though the break in order to return to the Rugby Hire base.

Why Choose Armada Boat Hire?

  • Diverse Routes – Options for beginners and experienced boaters.
  • Scenic & Historic – Beautiful countryside and landmarks like Warwick Castle.
  • Flexible Trips – Weekend, one-week, or two-week options.
  • Unique Experience – Tunnels, locks, museums, and tranquil cruising.
  • Great Location – Easy access from Rugby to multiple routes.
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Testimonials

Just love being on the canal from start to finish meeting some lovely people along the way , definitely recommend hiring from here , fingers crossed we see you next year thanks Hector for a lovey week x

Just love being on the canal from start to finish meeting some lovely people along the way , definitely recommend hiring from here , fingers crossed we see you next year thanks Hector for a lovey week x

Debbie Sands

A truly delightful boating experience- this was my second time with Jack! Extremely friendly hosts and excellent location to start from to explore the Oxford canal from Rugby. Just an hour and a bit journey from London making it easy to get to for a long weekend out from London. Absolutely recommend them!

A truly delightful boating experience- this was my second time with Jack! Extremely friendly hosts and excellent location to start from to explore the Oxford canal from Rugby. Just an hour and a bit journey from London making it easy to get to for a long weekend out from London. Absolutely recommend them!

Vivekanand Sridhar

Had a lovely weekend on ‘Jack’. We loved the welcome pack - so thoughtful. Well equipped - actually had decent kitchen facilities, like sharp knives and decent chopping board. Warm and toastie and can’t wait to do it again!

Had a lovely weekend on ‘Jack’. We loved the welcome pack - so thoughtful. Well equipped - actually had decent kitchen facilities, like sharp knives and decent chopping board. Warm and toastie and can’t wait to do it again!

Clare Duncan-Hawes

Outstanding people and I wouldn't go any where else for anything for your boat needs.2 wonderful little boats for couples to hire too, I love Hector, if you like quirky thats the boat to hire.Rue knows his stuff when it comes to boats. Jane and him work so well together, you will feel like part of the family in no time.

Outstanding people and I wouldn't go any where else for anything for your boat needs.2 wonderful little boats for couples to hire too, I love Hector, if you like quirky thats the boat to hire.Rue knows his stuff when it comes to boats. Jane and him work so well together, you will feel like part of the family in no time.

Deborah Barton

Hired cute and cosy hector a great learner boat. Roe gave us tuition and even though he was so busy he dropped us at the train station. Lovely 'helpful' hardworking place. Hopefully we will return later on next year. Lovely welcome pack!

Hired cute and cosy hector a great learner boat. Roe gave us tuition and even though he was so busy he dropped us at the train station. Lovely 'helpful' hardworking place. Hopefully we will return later on next year. Lovely welcome pack!

Karen Matthews

We took Hector out for a long weekend in June - an absolute delight! From the get-go the service was excellent, Rue was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The boat was great, a properly cute traditional tug style narrowboat, short enough to be no real hassle amongst all the other boats and able to nab moorings that others couldn't - which was handy!

We took Hector out for a long weekend in June - an absolute delight! From the get-go the service was excellent, Rue was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The boat was great, a properly cute traditional tug style narrowboat, short enough to be no real hassle amongst all the other boats and able to nab moorings that others couldn't - which was handy!

Simon Turner

We have had another lovely week on Jack, there is nothing more relaxing than chugging along the canals admiring the splendid sights of Autumn. Nik and I have hired narrowboats on other canals in other areas of the country in the past, but nothing compares to Armada Boat Hire in attention to detail, and in terms of the cleanliness and comfort of Jack.

We have had another lovely week on Jack, there is nothing more relaxing than chugging along the canals admiring the splendid sights of Autumn. Nik and I have hired narrowboats on other canals in other areas of the country in the past, but nothing compares to Armada Boat Hire in attention to detail, and in terms of the cleanliness and comfort of Jack.

Suzie Collier

Recently had a fantastic week on Hector, owned by Armada Boat Hire.First class customer service; friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience trouble free.Hector is a lovely little boat, very well kitted out, cozy and easy to manoeuvre. We opted to head to Market Harborough and back in a week and travelled along some of the most beautiful countryside seeing loads of wildlife on the way

Recently had a fantastic week on Hector, owned by Armada Boat Hire.First class customer service; friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience trouble free.Hector is a lovely little boat, very well kitted out, cozy and easy to manoeuvre. We opted to head to Market Harborough and back in a week and travelled along some of the most beautiful countryside seeing loads of wildlife on the way

Mark O'Brien

We hired Jack for the long august BH weekend; Rue really took the time to calm our nerves and took us out for an hour to show us how to drive the boat properly. He gave us advice on our route and off we went. The boat itself was gorgeous; all the mod cons and more. We really enjoyed our trip and Jack was a pleasure to use; we had so many comments and compliments from other boaters!

We hired Jack for the long august BH weekend; Rue really took the time to calm our nerves and took us out for an hour to show us how to drive the boat properly. He gave us advice on our route and off we went. The boat itself was gorgeous; all the mod cons and more. We really enjoyed our trip and Jack was a pleasure to use; we had so many comments and compliments from other boaters!

Cloe Raan

Taking it to another level! Armada have a new boat for hire, Tia. My wife and I were fortunate enough to take her on her maiden trip. This boat is simply stunning. Bright, modern and airy at the front. Traditional and homely in the back bedroom, with a proper size bed. In the centre is fabulous bathroom with a powerful, full size shower. The level of design and fit out has to be seen to be believed.

Taking it to another level! Armada have a new boat for hire, Tia. My wife and I were fortunate enough to take her on her maiden trip. This boat is simply stunning. Bright, modern and airy at the front. Traditional and homely in the back bedroom, with a proper size bed. In the centre is fabulous bathroom with a powerful, full size shower. The level of design and fit out has to be seen to be believed.

Philip Hall

We had a wonderful week on board the luxurious Tia Dalma, cruising the Oxford, Coventry and Ashby canals. The owners were very friendly and helpful and made everything so easy for us. Highly recommended.

We had a wonderful week on board the luxurious Tia Dalma, cruising the Oxford, Coventry and Ashby canals. The owners were very friendly and helpful and made everything so easy for us. Highly recommended.

Michael Craig

Having hired from other companies previously, I must say that Tia is a stunning boat. The interior is bright, modern and well laid out, everything works well, while the outside is brightly painted in traditional style. I was pleasantly surprised at the many boaters we met who admire Armada's boats and know them to be of excellent quality.  Quite a reputation. It's no surprise that Rue won't let you hire it unless you have previous experience! The only down side to our holiday was having to return it at the end of a fantastic week.

Having hired from other companies previously, I must say that Tia is a stunning boat. The interior is bright, modern and well laid out, everything works well, while the outside is brightly painted in traditional style. I was pleasantly surprised at the many boaters we met who admire Armada's boats and know them to be of excellent quality.  Quite a reputation. It's no surprise that Rue won't let you hire it unless you have previous experience! The only down side to our holiday was having to return it at the end of a fantastic week.

Derek Guy

Absolutely amazing from the off. Meeting the owners on pick up of the narrow boat and spending time showing us how to steer it  They then showed us how to moor up safely a very patient teacher. The boat we hired was immaculately clean throughout. The holiday was a great way to unwind among the natural beauty of the country side along the beautiful canal's & water ways through locks under bridges, through swing gates then stopping when and where we want.

Absolutely amazing from the off. Meeting the owners on pick up of the narrow boat and spending time showing us how to steer it  They then showed us how to moor up safely a very patient teacher. The boat we hired was immaculately clean throughout. The holiday was a great way to unwind among the natural beauty of the country side along the beautiful canal's & water ways through locks under bridges, through swing gates then stopping when and where we want.

Amanda Adams

We have just returned from a week on the Tia Dalma and I can hand on heart say we had one of the most amazing holidays despite it being one of the wettest weeks ever! We loved exploring different villages and towns along the way and a tip is make sure you buy the guide book for your route from Armada's office before you leave as this will be your bible on the trip!

We have just returned from a week on the Tia Dalma and I can hand on heart say we had one of the most amazing holidays despite it being one of the wettest weeks ever! We loved exploring different villages and towns along the way and a tip is make sure you buy the guide book for your route from Armada's office before you leave as this will be your bible on the trip!

Tracey McLeod

We rented Hector for a week. Ru is hood fun and he's a biker so obviously a good lad! The boat was great. It is a little small inside truth be told but we wanted to start boating small for ease.  The small size does have advantages however when manoeuvring and mooring. We had a great time cruising the North Oxford, Coventry and Ashby canals.  Thanks Hector, Ru and Jane!

We rented Hector for a week. Ru is hood fun and he's a biker so obviously a good lad! The boat was great. It is a little small inside truth be told but we wanted to start boating small for ease.  The small size does have advantages however when manoeuvring and mooring. We had a great time cruising the North Oxford, Coventry and Ashby canals.  Thanks Hector, Ru and Jane!

Xose Mourino

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