Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Wednesday 14th May 2008

Oxford Canal

The picturesque Oxford Canal meanders slowly through 77 miles of classic scenery, much of which has barely changed in centuries.

The Oxford Canal is one of England's most peaceful waterways, running lazily through the countryside from Oxford to Coventry. It was briefly the principal waterway from London to the Midlands, but was superseded soon after construction by the more direct Grand Junction Canal - now the Grand Union.

Consequently, the Oxford Canal has escaped large-scale development and few towns have sprung up on its banks. The southern section is particularly charming and remains largely unaltered.