Saltisford Basin - Hatton Locks Circular

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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A good proportion of this walk is on canal towpath, following the dramatic climb of the twenty-one Hatton Locks. Once a hubbub of working narrowboats, leisure boating now takes their place, often with many crew members making hard work of it. The impressive sight of a loaded pair of boats in the days of commercial carrying, working their way through the Hatton flight, with only family as crew, is something we shall never see the like of again, lost forever, consigned to memory of the past.

The bridge just after British Waterways' maintenance yard is the canal departure point and after a short distance along the road, the route follows a fine bridleway through farmland, mostly flat, but very pleasant with distant views. The route circles round to rejoin the canal again for the final leg, back to Saltisford Basin car park.

England - Central England - Warwickshire - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Pub, Stately Home, Woodland

11/27/2022 - Anthony Carroll

Two of us did this on a bright sunny day end November. There had been a lot of rain, but mud was not a problem. A walk of two halves, different but equally enjoyable. Actually we started from Warwick Parkway Station, which possibly did not exist when this walk was compiled. Coming from Sutton Coldfield north of Birmingham cars would not have been practical; we paid £4.25 each return, using West Midlands travel passes & Senior Railcards. One suspects the designers of Parkway stations did not envisage anyone travelling by foot, let alone by canal barge. But to be fair this is a neat little station with café & toilets. We also did the walk in reverse, anti-clockwise, having climbed up the locks back in 2006. A further diversion, similar to the 28/10/21 comment, was to go North on the lane (it had some traffic) at point 7 to the footpath going SW via Home Farm. A big log inside the entrance from the lane provided a convenient lunch stop. This also meant a shorter stretch on the A4177 to the Hatton Arms (latest name) with easy access down to the canal towpath. No boats seen at all along the canal stretch, nor any hobbits. Going our way, exit from the towpath onto Old Budbrooke Road was up a short steep unofficial looking track, or you could take the less unofficial looking longer track as per point 10 in the guide.

10/28/2021 - Monique Wilson

09/10/21. Car park charged £2 payable at the office. Lovely sunny day so continued up the canal past cafe and final lock.Exited at John's bridge and walked on permissive path on left of road to Hatton Green.Footpath right in H G to church. Rt on main road for short distance. Crossed to hedge opening, signed, crossed field, over tarmack road and next field. Left around Home Farm to soon arrive near Point 7. Lovely walk

10/31/2018 - Robert Shaw

Really enjoyed this walk along the canal. The Waterman Pub is now the Hatton Lock. Quite a bit of climbing up the locks but its worth it for the view at the top, plus we recorded the walk at six miles. Rob and Chrissy. 31/10/18.

7/2/2013 - Ron and Jenny Glynn

Regarding the latest comment: Any walker observing inappropriate circumstances should report it to relevant authorities.

6/30/2013 - karl noon

Great walk on a nice sunny day, good under foot. Beware of the Lock Hobbit (I think that's what he called himself),homeless guy who offers his services to the Barges by doing the locks, started chatting to him and next thing you know he`s cadging money. lol.

9/5/2005 -

Did this walk in the gorgeous hot sunshine of 4th September 2005, myself my husband Simon and our two Bichon dogs, Daisy & Teddy. Enjoyed it very much, interesting in that as it was the day before the schools returned there were very few boats winding up and down the locks, only two. We stopped at very nice Waterman Pub, and enjoyed the wonderful views back over the flight of locks to Warwick Church spire in the distance. The road section was not too long, and the shady road at point 6 was most welcome. The "striking building" Hatton Sanatorium at point 7 is now surrounded by a quite large new housing estate. The only section in the instuctions which could have caused confusion was at point 8 where it simply instructs to walk around the edge of "fields", which leaves you unsure as to when to look out for point 9, we discovered that it is only one "field" that you walk around, and its worth amending the instructions to reflect this. Otherwise, a very good, enjoyable experience, to be recommended.