Far from it.

We are busy as ever behind the scenes preparing, in this case, for the 2026 season which starts in February.

The close season does provide us with enough of a window to undertake one of our more time-consuming and costly jobs which thankfully do not happen every year.

This is the repainting of our boats Lancelot and Guinevere.

However, for various reasons we can only get one of the two painted at the moment, so it was Lancelot that got the nod to be first to shipped off to our friends at Hillmorton Boat Services near Rugby.

So, in mid November once our last booking for the 2025 season and subsequent Winterising Weekend had both been completed, Lancelot made the short trip from Braunston up the North Oxford Canal to Hillmorton Locks for the work to be done.

Here’s a few photos from the early stages below

Look out for more photos on Lancelot’s progress to follow.

And rest assured, Lancelot will be spick and span and ready for February and our first booking of the 2026 season.

The post In pictures: Lancelot gets a new coat appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Not only are we convenient and easy to reach from all corners of the country, but being situated at the junctions of the Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canals and in essence at the very heart of the canal network provides you and your group with a wealth of choice on routes for your trip.

In the first of two features, we provide you with suggestions of some of many great places you and your group can reach and visit depending on your length of trip.

Do it in a weekend

Head to…Rugby

Rugby is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the game as it was here, in 1823, while playing football at his school that a William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it. This moment took place on The Close at Rugby School, which is one momentous spot as part of the tours that Rugby School offer (advance booking required)

Close by is the Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum is packed with rugby memorabilia whilst you can get a group selfie next to the statue of William Webb Ellis which is also close by.

All this is set in Rugby’s town centre which has a wide range of high street stores and independent shops as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants, and the impressive Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

The North Oxford Canal runs east to west towards the north of Rugby and by mooring here you can visit the Elliott’s Field Retail Park which has a great range of shops, cafes and restaurants, with a Tesco superstore just across the road in case you need to stock up on supplies.

Before reaching Rugby, you will visit and pass through the Hillmorton Locks; this picturesque village setting is famed for being the busiest lock section on the whole of the canal network with Locks 2&3 together being the most used locks on the Canal and River Trust’s network.

To the west of Rugby and heading on the North Oxford towards Coventry you will reach and pass through the historic Newbold on Avon Tunnel which like Braunston Tunnel (although not as long) is a great experience.

At the junction go west to…Napton and Napton Locks

As we have already mentioned, Braunston (and LNBP’s boats) is in a wonderful position situated at the junctions of the Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canals. At the very junction of the canals, three canals in fact – the Grand Union Canal and the North and South Oxford canals, known as the “Braunston Turn”, instead of continuing north towards Rugby and Coventry, by turning left provides a great lock-free section for everyone a chance to explore the boat and also the time to give everyone a chance to have a go at steering.

That is before reaching the village of Napton and Napton Locks.

Napton-on–the-Hill, as it is properly known, is as its title suggests a hillside village, watched over by its majestic Windmill which can be seen for many miles around. The Grand Union and Oxford Canal form a moat like quality at the foot of the hill, with a set of 8 locks being some of the nicest locks around, set as they are in beautiful peaceful countryside and climbing 49 feet.

For such a small village, it offers a surprisingly large number of amenities which includes a village store including post office, general store and coffee shop, play park, plus canal side shops and marina.

More on this route in the words of one of our now-retired project skippers, Chris Woodward, can be found here

South to…

Heading east out of Braunston on the Grand Union through the flight of six locks will bring you to the historic Braunston Tunnel, which at over a mile long and with a curve in the middle is an experience to go through.

Heading south at Long Buckby locks after passing the idyllic Norton Junction will bring you to Weedon Bec.  That is about an eight hour cruise and the village has has a vast playing field with swings and goalposts for youngsters to burn off any unspent energy. It also has an early morning / late night convenience stores stocking up on supplies or grabbing an ice cream.

If there’s time, head to visit the Weedon Depot, which originally known as The Royal Ordnance Depot dates back to 1802 just prior to the Napoleonic Wars and was a store for muskets, cannon and gunpowder. Today the visitor centre offers guided tours (by advance arrangement) with a café also on site

More details about this route from Braunston to Weedon Bec in the words of our Booking Officer Nigel Smith can be found here

Branching off to…Northampton

From Weedon, there is short journey to reach the Northampton Arm which leaves the Grand Union Canal mainline at Gayton Junction and joins the River Nene in the centre of Northampton.

This arm of the Grand Union Canal does feature many locks – 17 single locks in fact – along its short length.

Northampton town centre is worth a visit for it offers a good blend of historic attractions and ultramodern entertainment, gaming, dining and fun for everyone.

Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth Tunnel

If you would rather continue on the main course of the Grand Union heading south,  then another historic village and spot on Northamptonshire’s will soon come into focus.

Stoke Bruerne is lovely village of which its canalside setting becomes a hive of activity especially spring spring and summer. Here you will a Canal Museum which is located just off the canalside path in a historic Grade II listed corn mill and has three floors of waterway heritage and panoramic views, a café and gift shop. Outside the museum you can normally find the historic boat called ‘Sculptor’ which was built in 1935 and still going strong

To get here (and back to Braunston) is to navigate through another historic tunnel, the Blisworth Tunnel,  which at 3,075 yards (2,811 meters) long is the longest wide, freely navigable tunnel in Europe (it’s wide enough for two narrowboats to pass in opposite directions). It is the third-longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK, after Standedge and Dudley Tunnels and the ninth-longest canal tunnel in the world!

* For more details about these and other routes and great places you can visit, click here

And look out for part two of our features on 10 great places to visit with LNBP.

• To make a booking or check on availability and the dates you want, head to our Bookings Page here

Or please do get in touch to find out how we can help Contact Nigel, our Bookings Officer, by calling on 07783 002073 or emailing him at booking@lnbp.co.uk

The post 10 great places to visit with LNBP – part one appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

And here in central England we are fortunate – blessed even – to have so many great spots to visit.

Our Bookings Officer Nigel Smith paid a return visit to the fabulous setting of Hatton Locks and its flight of 21 (yes, 21!) locks on the Grand Union Canal at Warwick

Nigel is one of our Project Skippers has ventured up and down this lock flight many a time with countless number of our client groups over the years.  Talk to him and he will tell you that he has his own personal record for getting through them too which is no mean feat.

Hatton is really a sight to behold for in addition to the flight of locks it is a beautiful peaceful setting ideal for walking and a picnic to watch the boats pass through.

And there is also a lovely little cafe here too. Anyone for ice cream?

A little closer to our mooring base at Braunston,  our Press and PR rep Karl Quinney took advantage of some lovely bright sunny June mornings to venture down to Hillmorton Locks on the outskirts of Rugby.

According to the Canal and River Trust, Hillmorton Locks is officially The Busiest Flight of Locks in the Country and if you happen to visit here during the day particularly in the height of the season you will see why.  However Karl was down here around 6:30 am on a couple of occasions well before the first boats were firing up and anyone was moving to enjoy the peace, tranquility and beauty of this spot

Also, click HERE

Also click HERE

The area here covers a decent stretch over just over a mile, from The Kent at Bridge no 69 heading west towards Rugby, Newbold and Coventry, and Moors Bridge no. 72 heading east towards Braunston.  And right in the middle is Hillmorton Locks.  Car parking is available nearby, there are a number of benches to sit and watch the boats and world go by, and there is a small cafe – Badsey Cafe – just up from Bottom Lock. (check opening times though).

• For more details on the routes and numerous places you and your group can visit and explore whilst on a short break or longer holiday with us, click here

• For enquiries about bookings and availability, contact Nigel by telephoning him on 07783 002073 or email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk

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It has undergone a bit of a refresh and has a whole new look to it.

It has been several years since our website has had a revamp and with 2021 being our 40^th anniversary, it seemed an opportune time to give it an overhaul.

Once again we have been working closely with Dinesh Fernando of Web Growth Consulting in Rugby on this project. With his guidance and expertise he has provided us with a new theme which once again aligns with the LNBP branding whilst providing added functionality to make our website even easier to navigate (if you will excuse the pun).

We hope you like the new look – we certainly do.

Why not take a look around the website and let us know what you think. Send your thoughts, comment and feedback via email to us at marketing@lnbp.co.uk.

A huge thanks once again to Dinesh for his help and guidance. For further details about Web Growth Consulting, click here

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We are delighted to announce that LNBP Community Boating has been selected to take part in the Co-op Local Community Fund.

 

We are one of three causes in the local Rugby community which Co-op Members can select to support between now and 23 October 2021.
 
The Co-op Local Community Fund works by members buying selected Co-op branded products and services, of which 2p of every pound spent goes to community causes such as ours.
 
And it soon adds up, because thanks in-part to members’ contribution over the last year, this week the Co-op are celebrating a £15 million payout for over 4,500 local causes!
 
From LNBP’s perspective, the more Co-op members who shop and select LNBP as their cause, the more funds we will receive.
 
The link to our cause profile page is HERE
 
 

Local promotion, support us wherever you are

 
Our cause is linked to a community of two Co-op food stores and one funeral services branch in Rugby.
 

• Newbold Food Store (postcode CV21 1HH) 01788 542023
• Gerrard Road, Cawston Food Store (postcode CV22 7GU)
• Rugby Funeralcare (postcode CV21 2PS)

 
However, even though LNBP are linked to these local Co-op outlets, money raised through Co-op Membership can be generated anywhere in the UK, as long as a Member is buying selected products or services from the Co-op Group.
 
 

 Become a Co-op Member, choose LNBP as your local cause

To join the Co-op only costs £1. Once you have registered, choose LNBP as your local cause to support in your community.
 
As well as supporting LNBP in the local community, being a Co-op Member offers you a helping hand too. Co-op Members receive exclusive member deals from Food, Funeralcare, Insurance and Legal Services as well as personalised offers every week, chosen just for you.

 
To join in and become a Co-op Member, click HERE
 
And don’t forget to choose LNBP as your local cause to support over the next 11 months!
 
 

 
 
 

The post Support LNBP with Co-op Local Community Fund appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Unique opportunity for family groups

 
The coronavirus pandemic outbreak has meant LNBP have been able to offer a unique boat hire opportunity for family groups for the 2020 boating season. It means our boats – Lancelot and Guinevere – can be hired by family groups for weekend or midweek short breaks of two or more day/night trips until Sunday 1^st November 2020.
 

About Our Boats

 
Both boats are purpose-built, full-length, modern vessels that are designed, fully-equipped and maintained to the highest possible standards. Each boat is 12 berth in size across three separate cabins with central heating, instant hot water and double glazing, and contains two toilets and a shower. Sleeping accommodation is provided in four berth and six berth cabins, with the saloon area also providing accommodation, with an additional berth also available in the rear cabin.

 

Help is at hand!

 
We can assist with everything regarding your trip, including route planning with so many great places to potentially visit depending on your length of trip.
 

Hiring of our boats are on a first come, first served basis, and subject to availability with the stipulation that at least one person in the family group has a Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM) and assumes responsibility of the boat. All users of the boats must however follow and comply with the current government guidelines.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to book and find out more

 
To find out more information about the boats, hire rates and current availability, call LNBP’s Booking Officer Nigel Smith on 07967 406875 or email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk.
 
 
Alternatively head to our online Bookings page here to check availability and make a booking enquiry, or complete the form below.

The post October on the Oxford Canal (or Grand Union) with LNBP's boats appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Autumn is a wonderful time of year to explore our beautiful canals so why not take advantage of LNBP’s unique boat hire opportunity in September and October.

 

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing rules has forced us to ‘think outside of the box’ for this boating season.  It means our boats – Lancelot and Guinevere – can be hired by family groups for weekend or midweek short breaks of two or more day-night trips, up to 14 day trips from our mooring base at historic Braunston at the heart of the canal network in Northamptonshire.
 
A short break holiday by canalboat is not only a great way to get away from it all but it is a wonderful opportunity to sample the vivid colours of autumn at close quarters. As the trees and hedges begin to change colour and mirror elegantly in the water, there is also plenty of wildlife to look out for along the waters including small mammals such as wood mice and bank voles stocking up on food before the winter.
 

Our Boats

Our boats are purpose-built, full-length, modern vessels that are designed, fully-equipped and maintained to the highest possible standards. Each boat is 12 berth in size across three separate cabins with central heating, instant hot water and double glazing, and contains two toilets and a shower.
 
Sleeping accommodation is provided in four berth and six berth cabins, with the saloon area also providing accommodation, with an additional berth also available in the rear cabin.
 

Experienced help and knowledge on where to go

 
We can assist with everything regarding your trip, including route planning with so many great places to potentially visit depending on your length of trip.  This includes the beautiful elegant rural rural up the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and on to Hawkesbury Junction to join the Coventry Canal. Or perhaps go south to historic Banbury, or embark on one of many people’s favoured routes, The Warwickshire Ring.
 

 
 
There is really so much choice all starting from Braunston. And don’t forget to explore the village itself which is steeped in history and charm.

 
 
Hiring of our boats this autumn is on a first come, first served basis, with the stipulation that at least one person in the family group has a Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM) and assumes responsibility of the boat. All users of the boats must however follow and comply with the current government guidelines.
 
This current opportunity for hiring of our boats – which is normally only available to community groups and organisations – is really something unique in nearly 40 years of our operation and is therefore one not to be missed.
 

To find out more information about the boats, hire rates and current availability, call LNBP’s Booking Officer Nigel Smith on 07967 406875 or email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk.

Alternatively head to our online Bookings page HERE to check availability and make a booking enquiry, or complete the form below.

The post Book now to enjoy Autumn afloat with LNBP appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Key attractions

Rugby School
 
Prepare to find yourself delving into the origins of the sport, to where and how it all started, the history of the characters that shaped the game we know today, and the profound uniqueness of the town’s connections.
 
The game of rugby which is now played and appreciated by millions all began at Rugby School way back in 1823. It was here during a football match on The Close that one of its pupils, William Webb Ellis, broke with tradition and ‘with a fine disregard of the rules’ picked up the ball and ran with it, in doing so creating the game of rugby football.
 

 
Tours of Rugby School and its fascinating small Museum are available every Saturday or on other days by prior arrangement.
 
 
William Webb Ellis statue
 
A short walk away from The Close is the elegant statue of William Webb Ellis, which stands in the shadow of Rugby School. It was commissioned after a worldwide appeal and is a fitting tribute to Rugby’s most famous son. If there is ever a photo opportunity – or chance for a ‘selfie’ – this is it.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
World Rugby Hall of Fame.
 
If there is one place you ‘must-see’ when in The Rugby Town, it has to be the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
 
Having opened its doors in November 2016, this state-of-the-art museum is a celebration of those individuals and moments that have inspired and developed the game, right from its humble origins around the corner at Rugby School to the worldwide sport we know today.
 

The latest HD touch-screen technology that allows you to really get ‘hands on to find out about the great players, personalities and pioneers of the game who have been inducted so far into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Each inductee is celebrated and profiled within a physical experience that is fully interactive, immersive and delivered in multiple languages.
 
There is chance to learn about all 121 World Rugby national unions, understand more about the variations of the sport, and discover the moments that created professionalism, Olympic inclusion and the values that unite the sport from the elite and professional arena right down to community level.
 
The World Rugby Hall of Fame also showcases a collection of fascinating objects associated with the game of rugby, many of which of them donated by unions from across the globe and many of the players themselves.
 
 
 
Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum
 
The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum is situated opposite Rugby School in the original building where boot and shoe makers William and then James Gilbert, made the first rugby footballs in 1842. As a result, the museum has the distinction of having longest continuous association with the game of rugby in the world.
 

 
The delightful collection here is displayed in four themed areas which include the origins, the players, the game and the ball. Visitors to the museum can find out about the traditional manufacture of the rugby ball from its origin as a pig’s bladder to its highly advanced and technical production which today serves rugby nations and clubs worldwide. The Museum is also home to a vast collection of rugby-related items and memorabilia including a wealth of photos, match programmes, ties and artefacts of every description from all over the globe.
 

 
Whilst the game of rugby is understandably a key theme, there is more to Rugby than just rugby.
 
It is a great place to eat and drink with a wide range of different cafes and eating outlets available in and around the town centre. Why not lunch or picnic in the fabulous Caldecott Park.
 
And there is the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum which has an interesting social history gallery and is based in the same spot as the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
 
These are just two suggestions. For more, head to The Rugby Town tourism website at https://www.therugbytown.co.uk/
 

 
The town of Rugby and all its attractions can be reached inside half a day’s travel from Braunston, returning the same day or visiting as part of a longer trip; in particular the well-known and very popular ‘Warwickshire Ring’.
For more information about routes and places to visit, group bookings and availability, contact Nigel our Bookings Officer here
 

The post Places to visit with LNBP – Rugby appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Sounds interesting?
 
 
If you are a leader or organiser of a community group or organisation – perhaps in #Rugby #Daventry #Coventry #Northampton #Nuneaton, why not get in touch to find out more by calling Nigel on 07967 406875 or email him at bookings@lnbp.co.uk
 

The post Late availability – October 2019 half term week appeared first on LNBP Community Boating.

Note, the prize of the two hour canal trip is to be taken during LNBP’s Community Week between Monday 8th and Friday 12th July, and is only open to community groups and organisations in The Village Emporium delivery network area.
 
 

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