Places
A selection of places of interest and/or of use. The information is correct at the date shown but if you have any updates please let us know via .
Grand Union Canal
Stockton
Boat Inn
Usually serves Hook Norton Best and Wadworth's 6X but the range can vary. The beers are spoilt by the use of a tight sparkler when one isn't needed, and consequent short 'pint'. Good selection of food but indifferent quality. July 2006
Flecknoe
Old Olive Bush
Flecknoe. 01788 891 134
A frustrating pub. After reading the entry in the 2003 edition of Nicholson's Guide to the Waterways we made a point of stopping off and walking the 3/4 mile up the hill to the village. The pub appeared to be really worth a visit but due to its odd opening hours we could not get in to find out. Its change of catering arrangements also meant it would not have been selling food even if we had waited until 19:00 for it to open. If you intend to visit the pub we suggest phoning in advance to check opening hours and catering arrangements. July 2006
Braunston
The Old Plough
82 High Street, Braunston. 01788 890 000. Close to the unmissable church and sail-less windmill on the hill above the canal.
Has draught mild available from Easter to New Year. Usually Ansells or Tetleys but they have also had Highgate Mild. The hand pump is in the public bar but there is usually a clip on the counter in the saloon. On our last visit the mild had run out so if it is an important part of your trip we suggest you phone ahead to check availability. Good selection of food but it may be wise to book a table at busy times. July 2006
Welton
The White Horse Inn
High Street, Welton. 01327 702 820. About 3/4 of a mile from the canal where there is plenty of good mooring space around bridge 6. Turn off the main road at the wide junction just past Welton Manor and carry on up the hill towards the church. This thatched pub with garden changed hands in spring 2006 and now serves an interesting range of beers from national and local brewers. Beer purists should note, but not be put off by, the fact the handpumped beers are currently kept under a blanket pressure of CO2. A varied range of food is available and was very good on both visits. July 2006
Long Buckby
The New Inn
Long Buckby Wharf. 01372 842 540. Canalside at Buckby top lock.
Draught beers include those from Frog Island Brewery in Northampton. Range of food. Pub about to change hands. April 2006
Oxford Canal - South
Napton
The Folly
Next to bridge 113 and bottom lock of Napton flight.
Reasonable quality pint but the price of the round seemed on the high side. Food not too expensive but note the Sausage and Bean Pie is baked beans and Frankfurter sausages with a layer of puff pastry across the dish - this may not be what you were expecting. Rumour has it the pub is due to change hands so updates please. June 2006
Fenny Compton Wharf
The Wharf Inn
Next to bridge 136 and A423.
Handy for a quick pint while filling up the boat from one of the two taps at the water point. Excellent pint of Hooky Best when last visited. Food not tried but there seemed to be a wide range if slightly on the expensive side. May 2006
Cropredy
Home to the infamous annual Fairport Convention music festival.
Brasenose
In village west of bridge 153.
Not tried as it didn't serve food on Sunday evenings. March 2005
Red Lion
Near lock and bridge 152, opposite church.
Doesn't serve food on Sunday evenings. The Red Lion's range of beers includes Hook Norton Best but it is served with a tight sparkler spoiling an otherwise good beer and resulting in a short 'pint'. May 2006
Banbury
Tooley's Historic Boatyard
Friendly source of help and information plus a good supply of chandlery and other boat-related items. Shop is tucked away behind the glass-fronted dry dock. May 2006
Ye Olde Reindeer Inn
47 Parsons Street, OX16 5NA (in town centre)
A must for those with a taste for traditional beer in traditional surroundings. Serves the full Hook Norton range. In early 2006 the pub was awarded the winner's certificate in the Hook Norton/Stella Artois 'Best Kept Cellar' competiition. Perversely on our latest visit the Hooky Dark was nearing the end of the barrel and was apst its best; beer from the new cask came out very unclear. I assume this poor quality is a one-off problem but let us know your findings.
Closed Sunday and Bank Holiday evenings. Please note food is only served at lunch time, the Nicholson Guide to the Waterways (2003 edition) says otherwise. May 2006
Bell Inn
Middleton Road, Grimsbury, OX16 4QJ (just over railway bridge near station from canal bridge 166)
Not tried but recommended in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2006. No mention of food. May 2006
Wetherspoons
Usual selection of reasonably priced food and beer available until 23:00. May 2006
Shropshire Union Canal
Market Drayton
The Talbot
01630 654 989. Marstons pub a few yards east of the canal by bridge 62. A selection of ales from Marstons breweries plus guests on handpump and a range of hot and cold food. Apr 2007
Cheswardine
The Wharf Tavern
Canalside at bridge 55. More of an eatery than a traditional pub. Apr 2007
Red Lion/Fox and Hounds
You may also wish to consider a 1 mile walk up the hill to the two pubs near the church in the village; The Red Lion is home to the Lion's Tail brewery. Apr 2007
Shebdon
Wharf Inn
01785 280 541. Canalside at the eastern end of Shebdon Embankment. Good food and ale with Everards Tiger and Wells Bombardier on handpump. Apr 2007
High Offley
Anchor
Canalside near bridge 42. Interesting pub serving Wadworths 6X straight from the barrel. Listed in the 2007 and 2008 CAMRA Good Beer Guide Jul 2007
Norbury Junction
The Junction Inn
Canalside at the junction. An excellent location but food and ale quality did not tempt us to return. Apr 2007
Gnosall Heath
Royal Oak
01785 822 362. About 10 minutes from bridges 34 and 35 or along the railway track bed from the old railway bridge towards Gnosall village the pub is on the main road near the site of the ex-railway road bridge. Excellent selection of ale and food; regular beers on handpump include Highgate Dark Mild (or Ansells Mild) plus there is a selection of guest beers. Food is sourced locally where possible and is available lunchtime and evening except Tuesday when they have a music night in the bar. Listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide in 2007 and 2008.
Our last visit in March 2008 was a dissapointment; we arrived in an empty bar just after 18:00 on a Saturday and were refused food on the basis the tables were fully booked. I can appreciate why they may wish to allow tables to be booked but suspect we would have eaten and been long gone before it would have been a problem. Moral of the story... 1. Book if you intend to eat, or 2. Remember there is a Co-Op store within sight of the pub. Mar 2008
Church Eaton
Royal Oak
01785 823 078, ST20 0AJ. About a mile from canal bridge 25 along quiet country lanes; note it is not quite as far as shown in the Nicholson guide. The pub was to be closed but was saved by some locals and it gave the feeling of a true local with a welcome for visitors. The pub is only open from 17:00 during the week and reasonably priced food is available Thu-Sun evenings and Sat-Sun lunchtime plus occasional other times such as 'Curry Night' - suggest you phone to check avialability and to book a table. Beer seems to be Banks's Original and Bitter plus one guest -from a large assortment of breweries judging by the pump clip collection on the wall. In the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008. Apr 2008
Codsall
Codsall Station
01902 847 061, WV8 2EJ. About 2 miles from canal bridge 4 but worth the walk if you enjoy beer and/or have an interest in railways. Head west up the main road towards Bilbrook, turn right at Bilbrook station then follow the main road and bear off left into Codsall and left through the shops to the Station. The pub is now part of the original station building and serves Holden's range plus guest ales. The pub also serves a good range of reasonably priced food lunchtime and evening (except Sunday evening). Listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide in 2007 and 2008. (Apr 2008)
Trent and Mersey Canal
Stone
Swan
01785 815 570, ST15 8QW. On the A520 a few yards north of bridge 93 and lock 27 on the canal. An interesting selection of ales but if you want to eat please note it only provides snacks Tuesday - Saturday lunchtimes. Aug 2007