Grand Union Canal Leicester section and River Soar

Leaving Foxton Junction, we joined the Grand Union, Leicester section and continued towards Leicester.  You navigate through a special scientific section area which was really pretty and lots of wildlife.

Continuing through Saddington Tunnel, we  moored  for the evening just after Fleckney Bridge.  A short walk from here leads you to the village, where there is a Co-op and a fish and chip shop.

It was so sad to see crops of peas and broad beans in this area ruined by the lack of rainfall and heat of the summer.  We really felt for the farmers.
The following day we went through two sets of locks, Kibworth locks (5 in total) and Newton Locks (7 in total). 

Newton Top Lock

 These locks are heavy double locks, which could possibly sap ones enthusiasm! Luckily the pounds between give you some rest time!
We moored  just after Taylors Bridge no 88 ready for the descent into Leicester the following day.

 

Unfortunately due to water shortages and possible vandalism, one of the lower pounds was just about empty and CRT were working really hard to send water down. This resulted in our pound being very shallow and we were on a slight tilt.

The following day we headed down the locks into Leicester, We couldnt have asked for better assistance from CRT and although it was really low in places we made it into Leicester.

Final lock into Leicester

   

  

   There are several moorings on the towpath side, but we moored further up at Castle Gardens, secure moorings with a CRT key.

 A short walk over the bridge leads to a Tesco and eating places.  We explored the centre (through the park), which has many historical buildings. The town has Roman origins and you could easily spend a couple of days exploring.

However, we stayed just the one evening and then headed on, through the outskirts of the city.

   

Just before Belgrave lock (no 44), there are some moorings if you wish to visit the National Space Centre.  We caught a glimpse of it at the lock and Swans nest Weir.

We moored  the following day at Birstall.  A great place with a large Co-op, take-aways etc and enjoyed a yummy curry at 'Aroma Spice' which is a BYO and great value.😋

  We topped up our fuel (1.49/lt) at the fuel barge at Sileby boat yard, very helpful with a well stocked chandlery (just after Sileby Lock). 

Barrow-upon-Soar was a hive of activity with lots of boats out and about and very busy. We continued through, and settled for the evening just after Millers Bridge no 34.

The next morning we continued through Loughborough, joining the River Soar again after Bishop Meadow.  

     

We moored  just before Kegworth Deep Lock before our return to base the following day and enjoyed watching the planes overhead  going into land at East Midlands Airport.

 We can highly recommend the 'Leicester Ring', with varied canals, locks and rivers and despite the lack of rain this summer we have managed to go where we wanted without a hitch. Many thanks to the helpful CRT volunteers and workers along the way. Many Hire Boat guides suggest 2 weeks to do the ring but we think that is rather hectic. If you are fortunate to have the time, allow 4 weeks to enjoy and explore new areas towns and villages.       

Foxton Locks and the Market Harborough Arm

We arrived at the top of Foxton Locks, a fantastic feat of engineering opened in 1812.  After booking in with the Lock keeper, along with 3 other boats we started our descent.  There is a cafe and a small bookshop at the top.  The volunteers are very knowledgable and helpful - you must remember red paddle first and then the white.

  

There are two staircases of five locks  with a passing pound in the middle,  falling in total 75ft.

  

Passing pound Foxton Locks

Above is the passing pound.  One boat was on their way up and waited for us and a further 3 boats to pass and while we descended the final 5, they continued up the final 5 locks to the top.   

The bottom lock 

In 1900, an inclined plane was opened to bypass Foxton locks.  Two caissons carrying either two narrowboats or one barge moved sideways on rails up and down the plane.  A steam driven winch was used to start them moving.The journey time was reduced from 70 to 12 minutes.

A model of the Inclined Plane

 Unfortunately, just a few years later this was closed due to mechanical problems and high running costs and because the planned widening of the Watford Flight of locks proved too costly.

This photo taken from a viewing platform shows the preservation site as it looks today. 

 At the bottom of the locks, you can continue along the Grand Union Leicester branch or, as we did, turn right onto the Market Harborough Arm.   You pass through two swing bridges at the beginning of the arm.

We enjoyed the journey to the basin.  There are plenty of mooring spaces at the beginning of the arm, and then limited until just before the terminal basin where there are several 48 hour moorings with full boater facilites.  The basin is lovely and just a 20 minute walk into the centre.  There are many historical buildings here and lots of shops including supermarkets. This photo shows The Old Grammar School built in 1614. The open ground floor originally held a butter market.

The arm is 5.5 miles long and took us approximately 2 hours to navigate.  We enjoyed this stretch and the town is well worth a visit.

    

   

Norton Junction to Husbands Bosworth

During the mini heatwave, (UK's hotttest day on record 18/19 JULY 2022), we moored  just after Norton Junction on the Grand Union Canal (Leicester section) with some welcome shade from the overhanging trees.  

The weather having cooled somewhat we headed on past Watford Gap M1 motorway services, arriving at Watford Locks for 8am. These can be busy, but luckily we were first to ascend.  The first two locks are normal and then you ascend a staircase of 5 locks. The rise is just over 52ft taking us to the summit level of this canal.  This gave us some practise for the forthcoming Foxton locks. 

The volunteer lock keepers were very friendly and efficient and we were up in no time at all.   The CRT services at the top are great including a book exchange.  A couple of miles ahead is Crick tunnel, 1528 yards long.  The tunnel allows boats in both directions and it is a tight squeeze as you pass, but if you both take it slowly it works just fine.

We moored just after the tunnel and took the footpath through the fields to Crick village where there is a post office and a Co-op.Very welcome as beer supplies were dangerously low following the hot spell!   Crick, of course is home to the annual narrowboat show.   

Having moored  for the day just after Yelvertoft Marina we had a walk into the village.

Yelvertoft Old parish Pump

 We had a look around the All Saints' Church which holds a 15th century Dycson tomb and effigy which was interesting.

The following morning, we left Yelvertoft, cruised through  Welford Junction followed by 1166yards  Husbands Bosworth tunnel. Limited moorings to access the village but we found a spot about 15 minutes walk from the bridge which in turn leads to the village. 

Couldn't resist calling at the fantastic food 'hut' outside 'The Bell Inn' . Yum Yum, very reasonable - we even had the pub garden to ourselves.

Husbands Bosworth