How to get there - Thrupp is 1 mile north of Kiddlington (north of Oxford) on the A4260.JUst after crossing the railway the canal will run alongside the right hand side of the road. As the canal bears away to the right turn right into Canal Road. Shortly the road bears right and then left before running right alongside the canal.
For those with SatNav the postcode is OX5 1JY.
If you want to leave a car at the end at Upper Heyford the postcode is OX25 5NQ.
Get a map with driving directions to start or end (enter the postcode of your starting point at A)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch over the bank and park on the road where convenient.
General
Description - This part of the Oxford Canal was opened in 1788 which was early in the canal mania period. As a result it is a contour canal which winds back and forth with locks well spaced (approximately every mile).
Thrupp is a pure canal village with a single row of houses following the canal.
There are two lift bridges (you can limbo under) and two locks in the two miles to Enslow where you will find the Rock of Gibraltar canalside. For part of the way the canal joins the River Churwell.
From Enslow a further 5 miles and three locks take you to Lower Heyford where the boatyard includes a licenced Bistro. There is a station here from which you can return to oxford or a bus stop uphill in the village to return to Kidlington (one service at 16.35 Mon-Fri).
One more mile will get you to Allens Lock at Upper Heyford where some might chose to leave a car for a one way trip and others to camp overnight before returning.
Comments on this trip
Bootstrap Bob SOTP 10 May 2010
If you are paddling this route on a Sunday during the summer months it's worth calling in at Jane's Teas on the side of the canal at Pigeons Lock near Kirtlington. Open 1.00 5.00pm.http//www.grannybuttons.com/granny_buttons/2006/05/the_floating_fa.htmlYou can step right out of the canoe and take advantage of the cream teas or a huge selection of cakes and drinks. It's nearer to Thrupp than Heyford so doing the trip in reverse would be more suitable for timing.
Bootstrap Bob SOTP 10 May 2010
If you are paddling this route on a Sunday during the summer months it's worth calling in at Jane's Teas on the side of the canal at Pigeons Lock near Kirtlington. Open 1.00 5.00pm.You can step right out of the canoe and take advantage of the cream teas or a huge selection of cakes and drinks. It's nearer to Thrupp than Heyford so doing the trip in reverse would be more suitable for timing.
