Union Wharf Marina lies on a peaceful stretch of the Grand Union- one of Britain"s longest and most diverse canals. A barge hire holiday from Union Wharf can incorporate villages, towns, tunnels, locks and enchanting areas of natural beauty.

Market Harborough is the first place to explore- and with pleasant lanes, bars and eateries, it can be a good place to delve into on your first night. After setting off from here, you"ll soon find yourself in the delightful countryside of Leicestershire. Here there are plenty of charming stop offs in delightfully rural locations. There are staircase locks here at Foxton, as well as two small tunnels.

If you"re after some city life, the Grand Union snakes into the city of Leicester. The space museum and the roman ruins are great attractions for families, whilst mouth watering restaurants and shops are close to hand.

For those with a sense of adventure, cruise to Blisworth Tunnel on the Southern stretch of the Grand Union. Blisworth is one of the UK"s biggest tunnels, measuring nearly 2 miles through the rock of Blisworth Hill. We think this 40 minute journey is a barge hire highlight and is not to be missed!

You could also visit nearby Stoke Bruerne- a delightful and picturesque village that celebrates all things canal. With something of a Bohemian feel, Stoke Bruerne is home to numerous writers and artists and is a great place to spend an afternoon.

For barge hire groups who want a challenge, the Grand Union Canal forms part of several famous "ring" routes. We recommend these journeys for those who have had a reasonable amount of experience and who have around three weeks to cruise. The Leicester Ring can be completed from here, or for an even greater challenge The Thames Ring is a real treat.

It"s even possible to cruise down to the Regents Canal and spend a night or two in London- be warned though, there are over a hundred locks on this gargantuan journey across the country. We think it"s best to take your time and enjoy your barge hire holiday at a slow and relaxed pace.

To help you plan your barge hire journey, we recommend Pearson"s Canal Companions. Of course, if you"d rather just turn up and let our experts advise you, we are more than happy to tell you about our favourite routes. We know the best of the canalside pubs and the most picturesque stretches of canal around.

If you think this sounds like your ideal barge hire trip, take a look at our availability and booking