Meandering Through Time
Rugby Canalfest is a proposed series of events taking place along the 20 miles of the North Oxford Canal & a small section of the Grand Union Canal as it Meanders through Rugby, villages and surrounding countryside. We aim to celebrate the canal that dates back to 1770 with the Historical boats at Hillmorton Locks to the present day with award winning luxury Hire fleet of Clifton Cruisers, Dunchurch Pools Marina and beyond to Brinklow Marina etc. We want to involve the people who live and work on the Rugby canals as well as the art, music, and crafts along with the canal businesses in the area.
Events such as narrowboat trips, art displays, live music, food, drink, workshops on fender making, castles and roses, trading boats, and more are being planned.
Events such as narrowboat trips, art displays, live music, food, drink, workshops on fender making, castles and roses, trading boats, and more are being planned.
From the 18th Century to the 21st
The Oxford Canal through Rugby and area dates back to the 1700's and was a part of a national network of canals used to transport goods from one part of the country to another. The busiest locks in the country are Hillmorton Locks where you can also find Historic boats Badsey and Angel moored outside the Canal Chef cafe. Further down the canal you come to the award winning hire fleet Clifton Cruisers, just two examples of how the canal through Rugby span the centuries.
Through the century’s the many canals fell into disused with the development of railways, but in recent years the popularity of the network has grown dramatically especially with tv shows such as Pru and Tim meandering down the canals.
Around Rugby there are several marinas, farm moorings, hire fleets, and canal side businesses. These bring employment, tourists, entertainment and more contributing to the economy of the area.
Through the century’s the many canals fell into disused with the development of railways, but in recent years the popularity of the network has grown dramatically especially with tv shows such as Pru and Tim meandering down the canals.
Around Rugby there are several marinas, farm moorings, hire fleets, and canal side businesses. These bring employment, tourists, entertainment and more contributing to the economy of the area.