Oxford Canal is a breathtakingly beautiful option if you’re looking for an enjoyable walk close to the city. This narrowboat canal links Oxford with Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury via Banbury and Rugby. Once used as an artery to connect trade between the Midlands and London, you can visit it today and enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by petty cottages and gorgeous nature.
Why Should You Visit Oxford Canal?
The Oxford Canal is a narrowboat canal that connects the City of Oxford with Coventry via Banbury and Rugby. It was completed in 1790 and connects also with the Thames River – the reason why it was used as a trade route. This changed when the Grand Union Canal became the main one in 1805. Still, the North Oxford Canal remained an important artery.
So, why should you visit Oxford Canal today? Well, the reasons are varied. For one, the canal traverses Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and east Warwickshire, going through lightly rolling hills and broad, shallow valleys.
Here are some of the reasons to visit Oxford Canal if you’re in the city (and want to do so by foot):
- You might meet some of the most friendly live-aboard residents.
- Oxford Canal is a peaceful place to unwind.
- You can take boat tours down the river (all of them have very knowledgeable guides).
- You can enjoy a different view of Oxford and come across swimmers, paddle boarders, and rowers.
- You can take your dog!
How to Visit Oxford Canal
Although the canal itself is 78 miles (126 kilometres) long, you can walk alongside it when you’re visiting Oxford. The map below shows the location of the Isis Lock:
