Places to Eat along the Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canal

Hi everyone, I have been asked to write a blog on places to eat on the Oxford Canal and Grand Union. This list could have been exhaustive, so I have decided to make it a bit more personal, places we have visited and as you will see by the number, I have written about we haven’t been very far on our narrowboat!!! Due to work commitments and different shifts, we don’t seem to get out as much as we would like, so I hope you enjoy reading about my recommendations.

In this blog I hope I have added some useful information, i.e., nearest bridge, opening hours, food serving hours, whether dog friendly, moorings available, etc., so let’s go:-

THE ADMIRAL NELSON

Lock 3, Dark Lane, Braunston. NN11 7HJ. Tel: 01788 891900.

Website: https://www.admiralnelsonbraunston.co.uk/

Moorings:- Braunston visitor moorings (marina end)          

Nearest Bridge:-  Little Braunston Bridge No 4 on the Grand Union Canal

Very Dog Friendly and in the winter they have a lovely open fire roaring, making it very homely.  From our experience this is a very friendly pub used by locals, regular boaters and holiday makers. They also have a pub quiz on a Thursday evening. 

Plenty of room outside to sit right by the canal and if you are a gongoozler, this is the ideal place. You can watch boats entering and leaving the locks from the bridge or sitting outside the pub.  

A little bit of history, it is believed that the building was built around 1730 and the room at the end was used as a morgue during the construction of the Braunston Tunnel which was completed in 1796. Food is made with local produce, and they have 3 menus, Lunch, Evening and Sunday and they have various real ales on tap, so whether you want to sit-down meal, pop in for drinks or to meet friends then I would highly recommend.

BOATHOUSE

London Road, Braunston, Daventry. NN11 7HB. Tel: 01788 891734

Website: https://www.boathousepub.co.uk/

Moorings:- Patrons can moor outside the pub, but you can also moor on towpath side. Mooring pins most definitely required towpath side.

Nearest Bridge:- Bridge 73 Crick Road Bridge

Again, this pub is dog friendly in certain areas within the pub, namely the over 18 bar area and raised dining area by the canalside windows. It has a decent sized enclosed garden area where there is a children’s play area. Dogs are allowed here but must be kept on the lead. There are also additional tables overlooking the canal on a paved area. I can highly recommend the carvery and the value for money is amazing. If you wish to dine at the weekend, especially on a Sunday it is advised to book.  Although if you turn up, staff will do their utmost to accommodate you, even if it means having to wait for a table for a short while.

BARLEY MOW

64 Main Street, Newbold, Rugby. CV21 3HW. Tel: 01788 544174

Website: https://www.barleymow-newbold.co.uk/

Takeaway service also available

Moorings:- available right on their doorstep            

Nearest Bridge:- situated at Bridge 50 North Oxford Canal by the infamous Newbold Tunnel.

The Barley Mow is dog friendly and allows our four-legged friends in the bar and lounge area.  There is also a large patio area and canalside eating. The bonus with this pub is it has facilities for boaters.  You can hire a bathroom for a soak in a bath or refreshing shower.  Toiletries, towels, hair dryer and GHD straighteners are provided. There are also laundry facilities, washing machine, tumble dryer and iron. Disposal of your rubbish whether it is recyclable or non is also available. 

THE WHILTON MARINA CAFÉ

Grand Union Works, Whilton Locks(adjacent to the Marina), Daventry NN11 2NH.                                               

Betty – 07903 685286

Moorings:- Towpath side on the Grand Union Canal

Nearest Bridge:- Whilton Locks Bridge No 15

Dogs are not allowed in the café itself, but there is plenty of seating area outside. You can sit overlooking the lock or dine facing the marina. This café is renowned for its full English Breakfast, so make sure you have got a good appetite, you will not want to eat for the rest of the day. Betty also tries to source all her produce locally and her cakes are legendary, so don’t miss this little gem. I quite often have a takeaway at lunchtime and always amazed how much filling you can get in a cheese salad sandwich, end up using a fork to finish it 😊.

Well I do hope you have enjoyed a little of the eating delights that our canal system can offer you on your cruising. I know there are plenty of more out there but this is just a quick insight of the places we have visited. More to come in the future once I get over the fear of locks which restricts us a wee bit on our travels, but I am getting braver. Did the Hillmorton Flight back end of last year which I was pleased about, so you never know, may travel further very soon….        

Jules