Body

Grand Union Canal - South of Stockton Top

Pubs & Restaurants

Location What's there Comments Date

Bridge 21, Stockton Top The Boat Inn A few of us tried this on 2 separate days ... only food was greasy barm cakes with chips. Beers were fine though. This was lunchtime, mid week in winter - maybe it's a lot different at other times. November 2003 (CA & EF)

Tried here again on last night of trip (Thursday) and it was fairly busy with Ownerships boaters etc. Many people eating meals - but with Draught Bass costing £2.45 a pint we didn't want to give them anymore money ! April 2004 (CA)

Braunston Village, main street The Plough Part of Pubmaster chain so a little predictable for the food some of which is expensive although the "specials" were good value in April 2004 as "chef" was testing some new options. If you're just going for a pint and a sandwich it's a great little pub December 2003 & April 2004 (CA)

Braunston Village, main street Wheatsheaf Pub was closed as it does not open lunchtimes except Saturday & Sunday. April 2004 (CA)

Buckby Top Lock, Bridge 11 New Inn We had an excellent fillet steak and proper chips washed down by Frog Island Brewery 'Creak and Stagger' - it was food fit for the gods! June 2004 (EF)

Lively pub with multiple rooms to cater for differing tastes - take a walk around the pub and you'll find the room that suits you. Food and beer are good. The lockside beer garden is a pleasant, sometimes busy, spot although you might have to turn a blind "ear" to the traffic on the adjacent Watling Street. August 2004 (CA)

Shopping & Facilities

Lock 1, Calcutt Boats Boatyard Good for gas and diesel; pump out possible but they appear reluctant to crank up the pump out system December 2003 (CA)

Braunston Village, main street Shops Just a boring (but essential) Londis plus an interesting looking butchers. December 2003 (CA)

Brockhall, Bridge 18 Shopping Village If you moor by bridge 18 and walk towards the A5 for 10 mins you will find the Heart of the Shires Shopping Village which is quite a unique place. It was a farm complex which has been turned into a collection of 20 or so very good specialist shops - no rubbish, all high quality, 2 very good eating places and all delightfully laid out in a lovely courtyard. There is a wonderful cookshop to make any cook's mouth water. There is also a small but well stocked craft and needlecraft shop. June 2004 (EF)

Weedon, Bridge 24 Shops There is a fabulous patchwork and quilting shop in Weedon called The Bramble Patch. Weedon is a good canalside village, post office, chemist, big One-Stop, coffee shop, all within less than 10 minutes walk - moor between bridges 25 and 24 and walk along the towpath towards bridge 24 and you will find a hole in the hedge with some steps going down to the road which passes under the canal. June 2004 (EF)

Good & Bad Moorings

Norton Junction

Gets busy in summer both on main line and Leicester section - try to get there early or be prepared to moor on Braunston side of junction. August 2004 (CA)

Navigation Notes

Location	What's there	Comments	Date
Bridge 21, Stockton Top	The Boat Inn	A few of us tried this on 2 separate days ... only food was greasy barm cakes with chips. Beers were fine though. This was lunchtime, mid week in winter - maybe it's a lot different at other times.	November 2003 (CA & EF)
Bridge 21, Stockton Top	The Boat Inn	Tried here again on last night of trip (Thursday) and it was fairly busy with Ownerships boaters etc. Many people eating meals - but with Draught Bass costing £2.45 a pint we didn't want to give them anymore money !	April 2004 (CA)
Braunston Village, main street	The Plough	Part of Pubmaster chain so a little predictable for the food some of which is expensive although the "specials" were good value in April 2004 as "chef" was testing some new options. If you're just going for a pint and a sandwich it's a great little pub	December 2003 & April 2004 (CA)
Braunston Village, main street	Wheatsheaf	Pub was closed as it does not open lunchtimes except Saturday & Sunday.	April 2004 (CA)
Buckby Top Lock, Bridge 11	New Inn	We had an excellent fillet steak and proper chips washed down by Frog Island Brewery 'Creak and Stagger' - it was food fit for the gods!	June 2004 (EF)
Buckby Top Lock, Bridge 11	New Inn	Lively pub with multiple rooms to cater for differing tastes - take a walk around the pub and you'll find the room that suits you. Food and beer are good. The lockside beer garden is a pleasant, sometimes busy, spot although you might have to turn a blind "ear" to the traffic on the adjacent Watling Street.	August 2004 (CA)
Shopping & Facilities
Lock 1, Calcutt Boats	Boatyard	Good for gas and diesel; pump out possible but they appear reluctant to crank up the pump out system	December 2003 (CA)
Braunston Village, main street	Shops	Just a boring (but essential) Londis plus an interesting looking butchers.	December 2003 (CA)
Brockhall, Bridge 18	Shopping Village	If you moor by bridge 18 and walk towards the A5 for 10 mins you will find the Heart of the Shires Shopping Village which is quite a unique place. It was a farm complex which has been turned into a collection of 20 or so very good specialist shops - no rubbish, all high quality, 2 very good eating places and all delightfully laid out in a lovely courtyard. There is a wonderful cookshop to make any cook's mouth water. There is also a small but well stocked craft and needlecraft shop.	June 2004 (EF)
Weedon, Bridge 24	Shops	There is a fabulous patchwork and quilting shop in Weedon called The Bramble Patch. Weedon is a good canalside village, post office, chemist, big One-Stop, coffee shop, all within less than 10 minutes walk - moor between bridges 25 and 24 and walk along the towpath towards bridge 24 and you will find a hole in the hedge with some steps going down to the road which passes under the canal.	June 2004 (EF)
Good & Bad Moorings
Norton Junction		Gets busy in summer both on main line and Leicester section - try to get there early or be prepared to moor on Braunston side of junction.	August 2004 (CA)
Navigation Notes