The Coventry Canal

The Coventry Canal takes canal boat holiday-makers through the Midlands countryside

It runs for 38 miles from Coventry Basin to Fradley Junction where it meets the Trent & Mersey Canal.

It also connects to the Oxford, Ashby and Birmingham & Fazeley canals. The canal opened in 1769 and was a vital trade artery for many years.

The waterway forms part of the Warwickshire Ring. It passes the towns of Bedworth, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Polesworth and Tamworth.

It’s a narrow canal with 13 locks.  A 5.5-mile stretch between Coventry Basin and Hawkesbury Junction is designated a conservation area.

Most of the canal is rural and home to many types of animals, birds, fish and insects, including kingfishers, dragonflies and bats.

There are many canalside pubs to enjoy along its route, including The Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction and the Tame Otter at Hopwas.

You can reach the Coventry Canal on a week’s holiday from our base at Great Haywood.