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Southern England has a rich network of historic waterways that have shaped its landscape, economy, and culture for centuries. This includes the iconic River Thames, a vital commercial artery since Roman times, and the Kennet and Avon Canal, completed in 1810, connecting the Thames at Reading to the Bristol Channel through picturesque countryside and historic towns like Bath. Other significant waterways include the River Medway in Kent, the Hampshire Avon in Salisbury, and the Wey Navigation in Surrey, one of Britain's oldest artificial waterways from 1653.

Eating and drinking by UK canals is a classic British pleasure, blending scenic views with great food. Towpaths along 2,000 miles of waterways are lined with historic pubs—many once serving boatmen—offering hearty meals, Sunday roasts, and local ales, with moorings for narrowboats. The waterways now also feature independent cafés, tea rooms, and restaurants in converted warehouses, especially in areas like London’s Grand Union Canal and the Kennet & Avon Canal. Popular venues such as The Rowbarge at Woolhampton and The Dundas Arms at Kintbury attract visitors with outdoor terraces, seasonal menus, and regular events. Whether stopping during a towpath walk or arriving by boat, canalside eateries provide a peaceful setting to enjoy local flavors, wildlife, and Britain’s waterway heritage.

Canal Pub
#1 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Two Boats Inn

Long Itchington

  • Canalside
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub and Museums
#2 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

Millers House Cafe

Three Mill Ln, London E3 3DU, United Kingdom

  • Canalside
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Cafe, Day Boat Hire, Restaurant Boats and Skippered Boat Trips
#3 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

Chichester Canal Centre

Canal Wharf, Basin Rd, Chichester PO19 8DT.

  • Accessible
Cafe and Canal Pub
#4 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Ducks Ditty

Canal, The wharf, Canal Hill, Tiverton EX16 4HX.

  • Canalside
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#5 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Wheatsheaf

10 The Grn, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HW.

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#6 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

Barley Mow

64 Main St, Newbold on Avon, Rugby CV21 1HW.

  • Accomodation
  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
Canal Pub
#7 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Cape of Good Hope

66 Lower Cape, Warwick CV34 5DP.

  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#8 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Old Plough

82 High St, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HS

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#9 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways
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Grand Junction Arms

Bridge 9, Paddington branch

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#10 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

Wharf Inn

End of the Welford Arm

  • Accomodation
  • Canalside
  • Food
Canal Pub
#11 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Falcon Inn

Denham

  • Accomodation
  • Dog Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#12 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

Great Western Arms

Station Rd, Aynho, Banbury OX17 3BP.

  • Canalside
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#13 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Waterway

54 Formosa St, London W9 2JU.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#14 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Old Swan at Cheddington

Cheddington Nr Leighton Buzzard

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#15 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Boat Inn

Meadow Lane, Loughborough

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#16 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Old Crown

466 Aldermans Green Rd, Alderman's Green, Coventry CV2 1NP.

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#17 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Coach and Horses

4 Butchers Row, Banbury OX16 5JH.

  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#18 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Rose Inn

Main St, Willoughby, Rugby CV23 8BH.

  • Family Friendly
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#19 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Royal Oak

1 Chapel Ln, Blisworth, Northampton NN7 3BU.

  • Accomodation
  • Food
  • Real Ale
Canal Pub
#20 Rated Eating and Drinking on the Southern England Waterways

The Navigation Inn

Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove

  • Canalside
  • Family Friendly
  • Food