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Ashby Canal

Picking its way disdainfully around any towns with the temerity to lie within its path, the lockless Ashby Canal traverses a gently undulating rural landscape from its junction with the Coventry Canal up to the present day terminus at Snarestone. If you’re looking to chill out and unwind, this is the waterway for you. Major features of interest include the Bosworth Battlefield Centre at Shenton, the restored steam trains operating on the adjacent ’Battlefield Line’ and, not least, delightful Market Bosworth, a mile up the hill from the canal wharf – don’t miss Softleys restaurant on the corner of the Market Place. But most of all it’s the peaceful Leicestershire countryside that charms visitors to this decidedly under-rated waterway.

Shackerstone is a village made in heaven. The only road through goes nowhere in particular, cottages huddle around the ancient church and the Rising Sun offers refreshments and a warm welcome to boaters off the canal.

And the rural splendour continues all the way to Snarestone, where the canal ends at the replacement Bridge 62 and 55ft winding hole. However, restoration is planned right through to the original terminus at Moira; close by, a short section has already been reopened and is the venue for regular trailboat events.