Napton, Warwickshire Pre-Departure Information

NAPTON BASE INFORMATION

Wigrams Turn Marina
Shuckburgh Road
Napton on the Hill
Southam
Warwickshire, CV47 8NL

What3words: Hired.dorms.blast

Base Contact: Georgina Wickham

Tel: 0044 (0) 1926 817175

Email: wigramsturn@aquavista.com

We look forward to welcoming you!

Thank you for your holiday booking to depart from our Napton hire base in Warwickshire, we look forward to welcoming you.

Below is some useful information to help you plan your holiday, including links to key videos to watch, plus directions on how to find us, places to stay if you are arriving early, grocery shopping etc.

Please do not hesitate to call our team if there is anything you would like help with, on 0044 (0) 1527 575115.

Preparation & Planning

BOATERS HANDBOOK VIDEO

The best way to be prepared for your forthcoming trip is to read or watch watch the video on the Boaters Handbook, a guide to basic boat handling and safety by the Canal & River Trust. When you receive your handover tuition at the hire base you will be asked if you have watched/read this guide and be asked to sign handover documentation to confirm this.

Watch the Boaters Handbook Video.

It’s also good to get familiar with the operation of own narrowboats and you can do this by watching our Induction video on the link below.

Watch the Induction to a Black Prince Narrowboat Video

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

It’s good to have an idea of your planned route before you go, although please bear in mind that it’s good to be flexible due to the changing nature of the canals and rivers. See all the Route Options for Napton here. If you have any particular questions about the route, places to moor up and stay etc, you can contact the base directly on the contact phone / email shown above before your trip and the team will be able to help you.

2024 UPDATE: Please note that the North Oxford Canal at Brinklow will be closed until 18th May due to ongoing repair works. The canal closure means that you will not be able to cruise the Warwickshire Ring or take the North Oxford Canal route up to Snarestone. However, there remains plenty of route options along canals that are operating normally from Napton, including Oxford and return, Grand Union south to Leighton Buzzard and the Stoke Bruerne route.

How to Find Us

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

National Rail Enquiries:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545

Nearest Airport:
Birmingham International- www.birminghamairport.co.uk/ Tel. 0121 767 5511

Nearest Railway Station:
Rugby

Taxi/Minicabs:
UK Taxis Tel: 01327 300400 or 301321

FLYING INTO LONDON

From Heathrow airport, get the London underground tube to Euston station.
From Gatwick airport, get the Gatwick Express to London Victoria station, then get a London underground tube to London Euston.
From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Euston.
From Euston, get a train to Rugby station (approx. 10 miles from Napton).
From Paddington, get a train to Leamington Spa station (approx. 9 miles from Napton).
Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.

FLYING INTO BIRMINGHAM

Get a train to Leamington Spa station (approx. 9 miles from Napton).

HOW TO FIND US BY CAR

Napton is situated 2 miles east of Southam, Warwickshire, midway between Banbury and Coventry.
M1: Exit at Junction 16 onto the A45 to Daventry. Take the A425 towards Leamington and Southam. The entrance to the base is on the right hand side.
M6: Exit at Junction 2 and follow the signs for Coventry East (A46). At Ryton roundabout, follow the signs for Banbury (A423) until you reach Southam. At the second roundabout turn left towards Daventry (A425). The entrance to the base is on the left hand side.
M40 South: Exit at Junction 11 (Banbury) and follow the signs for Southam on the A423.
M40 North: Exit at Junction 12 (Gaydon) and follow the signs for Southam on the B4451. At the second roundabout turn right onto the A425 towards Daventry. The entrance to the base is on the left hand side.
www.theaa.com/route-planner

When to Arrive at the Hire Base

The team at Napton will be in contact with you one week prior to your holiday to allocate an arrival time between 12pm and 3.30pm. We regret you will not be able to request a particular slot time as these times are given based on varying factors (e.g. boat cleaning and the booking of a harbour master to take your boat out of the marina).

The boat must be returned and vacated by 9.30am.

Included in the Price of Your Holiday

Everything you need for your boating holiday is included, such as lifejackets (if required), windlasses, mooring ropes, life ring etc. Bedlinen, towels and a dish washing-up pack is also included.

You can find a full list of what’s included in the boat inventory here.

For a list of recommended items to bring with you, please click here.

Please note that fuel is not included in the price of your holiday. This will be charged for on your return to the hire base. The average per day cost, depending on how far you travel, is approximately £18-£20.

Groceries

There is a Tesco’s supermarket in Southam.

Please note that the team at Napton are not currently accepting groceries deliveries and ask that you do your shopping prior to your allocated arrival time. There is the option of a click and collect from most supermarkets if you are short of time on the day.

Please note that the freezer compartment on board is no bigger than a shoe box so best to keep freezer items to a minimum. The base will not have anywhere to keep your shopping refrigerated so bear this in mind when doing your shop and choosing a delivery slot. You do not need to order food for the whole of the holiday, there will be ample opportunity to buy food along the way and perhaps sample local produce and specialities.

Hotels

The Red Lion, Hellidon, Nr. Daventry, NN11 6LG Tel: 01327 261200
www.theredlionathellidon.com

Travelodge Regent Hotel, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4AT  Tel: 0871 984 6239
Contact Travelodge direct for prices Fax: 01926 432473
www.travelodge.co.uk

Handy Links

See our Frequently Asked Questions

Watch the Induction to a Black Prince Narrowboat Video

Watch the Boaters Handbook Video

Plan your journey! See all the Route Options for Napton