Also known as the Leicester Ring, this epic canal boat holiday journey travels 154 miles through stunning English countryside, visiting a series of historic villages and market towns along the way.

The East Midlands Ring, also known as the Leicester Ring, is a 154-mile long circuit of English waterways which travels through 100 locks and takes around 84 hours of cruising time.

Perfect for a two-week break afloat, the route takes canal boat holiday-makers on a waterway odyssey exploring a series of rivers and canals, including the Rivers Trent and Soar, the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, as well as the Coventry, Birmingham & Fazeley and Trent & Mersey canals.

Highlights along the way include the Foxton Flight of Locks with stunning views of the surrounding Leicestershire countryside, the picturesque canal village of Shardlow, and Coventry Cathedral, home to the famous majestic tapestry of Christ the King designed by Graham Sutherland.

What can you See & Do?

To complete this popular circuit takes two weeks, as you will need to cruise for around six hours each day, giving you some time to visit canalside villages, pubs and historic attractions along the way.

The East Midlands Ring

Also known as the Leicester Ring, this epic canal boat holiday journey travels 154 miles through stunning English countryside, visiting a series of historic villages and market towns along the way.

The East Midlands Ring, also known as the Leicester Ring, is a 154-mile long circuit of English waterways which travels through 100 locks and takes around 84 hours of cruising time.

Perfect for a two-week break afloat, the route takes canal boat holiday-makers on a waterway odyssey exploring a series of rivers and canals, including the Rivers Trent and Soar, the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, as well as the Coventry, Birmingham & Fazeley and Trent & Mersey canals.

Highlights along the way include the Foxton Flight of Locks with stunning views of the surrounding Leicestershire countryside, the picturesque canal village of Shardlow, and Coventry Cathedral, home to the famous majestic tapestry of Christ the King designed by Graham Sutherland.

  • GBB Hire Base

  • Numbered Attractions

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UK Canal map

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Things to see & do

From quiet country pubs and village churches, to exciting historic attractions where history and culture come to life, you’ll find plenty of places to visit on your canal journey.

Canal Boat and narrowboat holidays from Coventry with Great British Boating

Coventry Cathedral

An icon for peace and now home to the World’s largest tapestry, Graham Sutherland’s Christ in Glory, the stunning new Coventry Cathedral was designed by Basil Spence and was consecrated in 1962.
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Foxton Locks in Leicestershire on the East Midlands canal boat holiday route

Foxton Canal Museum

Next to the Foxton Staircase of Locks on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, the Foxton Canal Museum tells the story of the incredible Foxton Inclined Boat Lift that once operated there.
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Shardlow Canal heritage centre on the East Midlands canal holiday ring.

Shardlow Village

Once a considerable inland port, today Shardlow is Britain’s most complete example of a canal village with an impressive collection of historic warehouses and workers cottages, and plenty of pubs.
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Narrowboat and Canal Boat Holidays near Braunston with Great British Boating

Braunston Village

In the heart of the midlands canal network, Braunston is a great place to stop with a marina, working boatyard, traditional fish and chip shop, and plenty of pubs including the Wheatsheaf and Old Plough.
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Yew tree farm shop on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal

Market Harborough Basin

At the end of the Market Harborough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, the restored Union Wharf is home to arts and crafts workshops and The Waterfront restaurant.
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National Brewery Centre Museum

The National Brewery Centre Museum in Burton on Trent tells the story of the Bass family and their role in the development of brewing beers and there are daily guided tours.
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Fradley Pool Nature Reserve

At Fradley Junction, where the Coventry Canal meets the Trent & Mersey Canal, visitors will find two cafes, the Swan Inn pub and the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve, perfect for wildlife spotting.
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