How to get there - From M6 junction 3 take the 1st exit if coming from south (3rd exit from north) to Bedworth. At the roundabout turn left under M6 bridge onto the B113. Take the first right (Black Horse Road) and follow the road (over two roundabouts) until you cross the canal bridge. Turn left into Sutton Stop and continue to the end where there is a car park on the left.
For those with SatNav the postcode is CV6 6DF.
Get a map with driving directions to
start (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch over the bank from the car park opposite the Greyhound pub.
General
Description - Hawkesbury junction (aka Sutton Stop), and headed towards Bedworth (or Beduff if your local). As you head away from Hawkesbury junction, the canal here is rural and very pleasant. After about 30 mins, you come across charity dock. This looks like a floating 'junk yard' but makes for an interesting picture. About another 10 mins, and you turn right onto the Ashby Canal. This is the most rural canal I have been on. With reed beds either side, it could almost be the broads.
After a further half an hour or so, you pass by Bulkington where some of the residents at the mobile home park, have created canal side gardens or seating areas - even one themed like the dugouts at a football ground! We found everyone to be friendly and cheerful, enjoying the warm sunshine. We passed a number of narrowboats along the route and most slowed down when passing us.
Eventually we reached our main stopping point at 'The Lime Kilns' pub adjacent to where the main A5 crosses the canal on the outskirts of Hinckley. If you turn round here it will make the overall trip 16 miles with no portages.
