Walking the Grand Union Canal towpath from Birmingham to London is a popular long-distance walking route, covering a distance of around 145 miles (233 km) and passing through a variety of landscapes and historic towns and villages.
Starting in Birmingham, hikers will pass through the bustling city centre before heading south along the Grand Union Canal. The canal towpath is a flat and easy trail that takes walkers through the Warwickshire countryside, past pretty canal-side villages and historic sites such as Warwick Castle and the ruins of Kenilworth Castle.
As the trail approaches London, hikers will pass through the picturesque Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is famous for its rolling hills, beech woods, and charming villages. The trail passes through the town of Rickmansworth before entering the urban landscape of West London.
The Grand Union Canal towpath passes through some of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, including Little Venice, Camden, and King’s Cross, before arriving at its destination in the heart of the city at Paddington Basin. Along the way, hikers can take advantage of the many cafes, pubs, and restaurants that line the canal, as well as the numerous cultural attractions and historic sites in the towns and cities along the route.
Walking the Grand Union Canal towpath from Birmingham to London typically takes between 7-10 days, depending on your pace and the amount of time you want to spend exploring the towns and villages along the way. There are plenty of accommodation options along the route, including campsites, B&Bs, and pubs offering accommodation, as well as numerous transport links that make it easy to return to Birmingham or London at the end of the walk.
Map of Grand Union Canal Way
The Grand Union Canal has several Arms:
Paddington Arm from Bull’s Bridge, Southall to Little Venice connects with the Regent’s Canal
Slough Arm from Cowley Peachey Junction can be used to access the London Loop and Colne Valley Way
Wendover Arm, at Bulbourne, links with the Aylesbury Ring and Outer Aylesbury Ring
Aylesbury Arm, at Startop’s End near Marsworth, provides a link to central Aylesbury
Northampton Arm, at Blisworth Junction, joins up to the Nene Way.
Interactive Map of Grand Union Canal Way
12 Day Walking – Grand Union Canal Way
| Stage | Start Point | End Point | Distance | Key Points of Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham City Centre | Catherine-de-Barnes | 8 miles (13 km) | Gas Street Basin, National Sea Life Centre, Cadbury World, Birmingham Airport |
| 2 | Catherine-de-Barnes | Knowle | 4 miles (6.5 km) | Blythe Valley Park, historic villages of Catherine-de-Barnes and Knowle |
| 3 | Knowle | Hatton | 9 miles (14.5 km) | Grand Union Canal Heritage Trail, Lapworth Locks, historic Hatton Locks |
| 4 | Hatton | Warwick | 10 miles (16 km) | Warwick Castle, Hatton Country World, Warwick town centre |
| 5 | Warwick | Long Itchington | 9 miles (14.5 km) | Hatton Flight of Locks, Shrewley Tunnel, historic village of Long Itchington |
| 6 | Long Itchington | Braunston | 10 miles (16 km) | Stockton Locks, Napton-on-the-Hill, Braunston Tunnel, historic village of Braunston |
| 7 | Braunston | Milton Keynes | 22 miles (35.5 km) | Blisworth Tunnel, Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, historic towns of Towcester and Milton Keynes |
| 8 | Milton Keynes | Leighton Buzzard | 15 miles (24 km) | Great Ouse Aqueduct, historic town of Leighton Buzzard |
| 9 | Leighton Buzzard | Berkhamsted | 13 miles (21 km) | Tring Reservoirs, Tringford Pumping Station, historic town of Berkhamsted |
| 10 | Berkhamsted | Hemel Hempstead | 6 miles (9.5 km) | Grand Union Canal College Cruisers, Boxmoor Trust, historic town of Hemel Hempstead |
| 11 | Hemel Hempstead | Brentford | 22 miles (35.5 km) | Watford Locks, Cassiobury Park, London suburbs of Harrow, Ealing and Brentford |
| 12 | Brentford | Paddington Basin, London | 12 miles (19.5 km) | Kew Bridge, Little Venice, Camden Market, Regent’s Canal, Paddington Basin |
OS Maps Required for Grand Union Canal Way
Grand Union Canal Way Related Book
