Our Routes
Our Routes
PILLINGS LOCK MARINA - CRUISE NORTH
Cruise Route Map

Cruise Route Map

PILLINGS LOCK MARINA - ROUTE SOUTH
Turning right out of the marina, we soon come to Pilling's flood lock, both bottom and top lock gates should be open unless we have had some excessive rain overnight, in which case it is treated as a normal lock.
LEICESTER MARINA CRUISE - ROUTE NORTH
Emerging from the marina onto the River Soar, we soon arrive at our first lock at Thurmaston, all passengers are allowed to assist with the lock operation if they so wish.
Descending downstream we pass Mill Lane boatyard, obviously named after the site of an ancient water mill, an early form of power for various processes, primarily grinding grain for bread production or wool processing. It's interesting to note that mill and landowners opposed the construction of the Leicester Line of the canal from the Trent up to Leicester, as they feared a loss of their land and their water supplies. It finally opened in 1794, unbelievably 160 years after the original navigation licence was granted by King Charles I.
A long straight of over 2 miles is ahead, where the more adventurous passenger can ask the skipper for a chance to steer. This section of the Grand Union canal was dug out by "Navvies", whilst the actual River has descended over a weir and meanders through Watermead Country Park, this having been created around the water filled gravel quarry workings which existed up until the late 1980's when commercial narrowboats still plied their trade carrying gravel up through Thurmaston lock for offloading upriver.
We soon pass the Hope & Anchor pub, where an option is to stop for a meal, perhaps after a slightly longer cruise that would take us past Old Junction boatyard, so called because the River Wreake joins the canal just north of here and we travel along it for a short while before the River Soar rejoins just above Cossington lock.
On a 4 hour cruise we would probably turn here for those wishing to moor up at the "Hope & Anchor" for a meal.
(Please add additional time to your cruise booking and make your lunch reservation directly with the pub in advance).
We can proceed through the lock and onward through open countryside until we reach Sileby Mill lock, passing through this and further downstream through rural Leicestershire towards Mountsorrel we reach "The Waterside Inn", a favourite restaurant and watering hole for all of our clients, our boats often moor here whilst our guests enjoy a meal.
(Recommended cruise time to include your own pre booked meal 6/7 hours.)
Cruise Route Map
