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The Grand Union Canal is the longest canal in England, stretching for 137 miles from London to Birmingham. Completed in the early 19th century, it was designed as a vital artery for industrial transport, linking the capital with the Midlands and facilitating the movement of coal, building materials, and manufactured goods. The canal is renowned for its impressive engineering, including aqueducts, tunnels, and flights of locks such as those at Hatton and Stoke Bruerne. Today, the Grand Union Canal is a popular route for pleasure boating, walking, and cycling, and forms an important part of the nation’s canal heritage.

Britain’s 4,700 miles of canals and rivers are lined with historic pubs, castles, and engineering marvels. Visitors can enjoy canalside pubs like the Admiral Nelson and The Turf Hotel, explore castles such as Beeston and Chirk, and see attractions like the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Anderton Boat Lift, and National Waterways Museums. Day boat hire is widely available, and guided cruises offer relaxing ways to discover the canals’ heritage and scenery.

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Day Boat Hire
#1 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal
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Lazy Days Day Boat Hire

The Boatyard, High St, Weedon Bec, Weedon NN7 4QD.

  • Accessible Entrance
Canal Pub
#2 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

The White Hart, South Kilworth

Bridge 37 Leicester Section, 1 mile to South Kilworth

  • Serves Food
  • Bar Service
  • Accessible Entrance
Day Boat Hire
#3 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Narrowboat Day Hire Ltd

Cowroast Marina Cowroast, Tring Hertfordshire HP23 5RE

  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire
#4 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal
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Canal Boat Day Hire

Apsley Marina Dickinson Quay Apsley Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 9WQ

"Luxury Self-Drive Narrowboats"

Skippered Boat Trips
#5 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

River Lee Cruises

Nazeing New Rd, Broxbourne EN10 6TD

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#6 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Copper Quay

Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

Skippered Boat Trips
#7 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Electric Barge

Grand Union Canal adj, Sheldon Square, London W2 6NA.

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#8 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Jason’s Trips

Opposite, 42 Blomfield Rd, London W9 2PF.

Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips
#9 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

BMK Waterway Trust Electra

Campbell Wharf, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 4BG

  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire
#10 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal
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Inland Navigators

Canna Mead Weedon Lane, Dodford, Northampton NN7 4TA.

"Day Boat Hire"

Skippered Boat Trips
#11 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Crusader Community Boating

7 Pyghtle Way, Northampton NN4 0QJ

  • Accessible
Canal Pub
#12 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

The Swan Inn

Village Rd, Denham UB9 5BH.

  • Food
  • Real Ale
  • Serves Food
Castle
#13 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Leicester Castle

8-9 Castle View, Leicester LE1 5WH.

  • Bar Service
Skippered Boat Trips
#16 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

The Pirate Castle

The Pirate Castle, Gilbey's Wharf, Oval Rd, London NW1 7EA.

  • Accessible
Day Boat Hire and Skippered Boat Trips
#17 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Cosgrove Narrowboat Company

Cosgrove Wharf, Lock Lane, Cosgrove, Milton Keynes MK19 7JR.

"Trips, Charter and Day Boat Hire"

Skippered Boat Trips
#18 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

Canal and River Cruises

Little Venice, London

Canal Pub
#19 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

The Cape of Good Hope

66 Lower Cape, Warwick CV34 5DP.

  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#20 Rated Attraction on the Grand Union Canal

The Old Plough

82 High St, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HS

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale