With this Sunday (4th October) being World Walking Day, there’s no better time to discover the simple pleasure of getting outdoors and exploring on foot. For Scouts, Guides, Explorers, walking groups and community organisations, walking can be much more than exercise with opportunities for adventure, teamwork, navigation and discovering new places together, and all with LNBP’s boats as a floating base.
For Scouts, Guides, Explorers and other uniformed and community groups, a great residential is about much more than simply finding somewhere to stay. It’s about getting outdoors, trying something different, building confidence and sharing an adventure together.
With that in mind LNBP’s two boats provide a unique base for groups looking to combine canal boating with walking, outdoor activities and exploration across Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and South Leicestershire.
We can put your group in the heart of the Central England countryside, waterways, villages and footpaths with our boats as your floating basecamp — giving your group somewhere to sleep, eat, relax and enjoy time together between days of exploration.
Walking holidays with a difference
Imagine waking up aboard your boat, enjoying breakfast together and setting off with daypacks and walking boots for a day in the countryside.
Your route could follow a peaceful canal towpath, cross open countryside or take in a village or historic site before bringing you back towards your floating base. At the end of the day, tired walkers can return to the boat, enjoy a hot meal and relax together.
It’s a flexible approach to a group walking holiday and outdoor adventure in Northamptonshire, with activities that can be adapted to suit different ages, abilities and interests. You might plan a longer hike for an Explorer or Ranger group, a shorter countryside walk for younger Scouts or Guides, or simply include a few hours of walking as part of a wider canal boating weekend.
Explore three counties from Braunston
One of the advantages of choosing Braunston to start your group residential is its location close to the borders of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, with South Leicestershire also within easy reach.
Northamptonshire offers an extensive network of countryside paths, waterways and green spaces, including opportunities for walking around Daventry, Pitsford Water, Brixworth and along routes such as the Brampton Valley Way.
Across the border, Warwickshire provides a wealth of walking opportunities, from canal towpaths and village walks to sections of longer-distance routes including the Heart of England Way.
Groups looking to explore South Leicestershire can also discover a network of public rights of way, countryside trails and attractive villages, providing plenty of opportunities to build an exciting multi-day itinerary.
With so many possibilities within a relatively compact area, your group can create a short break that suits its own interests and abilities.
More than just walking
A walking and boating residential can also provide opportunities for teamwork, leadership, navigation and outdoor learning.
Groups can incorporate map reading, route planning, nature spotting, photography, outdoor cooking and learning about the history of Britain’s canals into their programme.
For Scouts, Guides and Explorers, a trip with LNBP can complement badge work and provide opportunities to develop practical skills away from the normal meeting place.
And, of course, there is the boating itself. Helping with life aboard a narrowboat adds another dimension to the adventure, while the waterways provide a peaceful setting for groups to spend quality time together.
A memorable residential for your group
Whether you’re planning a Scout residential, Guide weekend, Explorer expedition, walking holiday or short break for your walking group or community group, we offer something different and flexible.
Start from our base at Bottom Lock at Braunston and use the waterways and surrounding countryside as your playground. Walk a new route, discover a new village, learn something new and enjoy the experience of travelling together at a slower pace.
Or let’s not forget, there is nothing stopping you from simply keeping and using the boats at Braunston with so much to see, explore and enjoy nearby…but you will probably want to have the novelty of your floating accommodation allowing you to wake up in a different place each morning, ready to embrace the day ahead and new explorations to be found.
So pack the walking boots, bring the maps, gather your group. Your next adventure could start at Braunston.
Plan your LNBP adventure. Find out more about group boating and residential breaks with LNBP Community Boating.
Start planning your group adventure today and combine outdoor adventure, walking and canal boating using our boats as your home and base for a memorable weekend or short break with us.
Tell us what you’re planning and discover how a boating and walking adventure could work for your Scouts, Guides, Explorers or community group.
To find out about availability and booking your next residential at Braunston, contact us on 07783 002073 or email us at bookings@lnbp.co.uk.
