Oxford to Coventry
132km/85.5 miles EASY
Signed
Tranquil walking through rural middle England along a waterway opened in 1790 to link the Black Country with the Thames. The route connects two cathedral cities via towns and villages such as Lower Heyford, Banbury, Fenny Compton, Braunston and Rugby, and walkers will only have to cross one road on the level.
The canal itself ends at Hawkesbury Junction but there is a 9km/5.5-mile easy route on into central Coventry along the green oasis of the Coventry Canal which is also an award-winning sculpture trail.
The 16km/10-mile stretch between Oxford and Kirtlington is part of European path E2.
The canal is operated by British Waterways who promote the Walk.
Level towpath with some easy-access sections. Contact British Waterways for details.
Public Transport
Oxford has regular rail services to Reading, London Paddington, Bicester, Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester, Hereford and other destinations. Between Oxford and Banbury the line to Birmingham parallels the canal, with stations at Tackley and Heyford; Banbury also has rail services to Bicester and London Marylebone. Between Banbury and Rugby some local buses serve the Walk. Rugby and Coventry have both local and main line rail services to London Euston, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Manchester and the north of England. Between Rugby and Coventry there are local bus services.
More public transport information: West Midlands | National enquiry lines
Publications
- Explore the Oxford Canal and Oxford Canal Walks, free leaflets from British Waterways Oxford Canal office. Walking guides also available online (see below).
Contact
Regions
Local authorities
Connecting routes
Maps
Path is shown on maps.
- Waterway map Oxford Canal Map, ISBN 0 86351 003 5,
GEOprojects £4.75.
1:60 000 scale, also showing towpath, with larger scale insets of urban sections, background information but no public transport details.
More about maps
Visitor information
Accommodation
