Cruising Guide

---

The canal follows the line of the River Ouzel.

Beware at Soulbury three locks; there are short pounds and side ponds. Check for oncoming boats in order to save water.

There is only one more lock at Stoke Hammond before mooring is possible between bridges 96 and 97 from which you can walk into Fenny Stratford or a bit further into Bletchley where there are more shops and a leisure centre with a swimming pool. At Fenny Stratford lock (one of the shallowest locks where one descends only about 32cm) there is also a swing bridge which must be opened in order to pass through the lock

There is mooring between bridges 89 and 88 where you are close to bus routes into Milton Keynes. Moorings between bridges 83 and 82 are only a one mile walk from the central shopping area.

Close to Bridge 81B is Gullivers Land Theme Park

At Great Linford there are moorings close to bridge 78 which give access to a small parade of shops and a large area of parkland. There is a winding hole before bridge 77

Shortly after bridge 72 there is the first of two aqueducts which crosses over a fairly modern road with a path alongside the canal. The second is higher over the Great Ouse where the canal runs through a steel trough. You need to ensure your crew are in safe positions as there is a big drop with no safety barriers.

After the aqueduct there is a winding hole below Cosgrove Lock

There are now several miles of lock free canal before the flight of 7 locks which take you up to the canal museum at Stoke Bruerne. There are moorings between the top lock and Blisworth Tunnel entrance.

There is a winding hole just before the entrance to Blisworth Tunnel if you do not wish to go through.

If navigating the tunnel then you need to use the headlight and also switch on the overhead lights through the cabin; the light from the windows will help you maintain a straight course. Ensure all your crew are safely located inside the boat or in front or rear cockpits

North of the tunnel at Gayton Junction you have the choice of turning right onto the Northampton Arm. The Northampton Arm links to the River Nene. Rosanne is not permitted on the River Nene except for turning to return along the Northampton Arm.

 Heading South you almost Immediately pass a good Mooring outside a Tesco Superstore.

The eleven locks on the way to Marsworth are fairly evenly spaced climbing gradually towards the Chilterns and Dunstable Downs.

Look out for the chalk lion of Whipsnade on the hillside.

At Marsworth Junction the Aylesbury Arm leads off to the right. There are 16 narrow locks in the six miles before you reach the basin at Aylesbury which is close to the centre of this market town.

If you continue down the main channel you encounter the Marsworth Flight of seven locks which raise the canal to the Tring Summit Level at Bulbourne Junction. The Canal and River Trust workshop here makes traditional lock gates.

Do not enter the Wendover Arm which branches off here as Rosanne is too long to turn and there are only 2 kilometres of navigable water.

The Tring summit is 3 miles long and passes the Tring reservoirs which are used to replenish the water in the summit level. Every boat that goes through takes approximately 200,000 gallons of water with it so there are electric pumps running 24 hours a day to bring water up to these reservoirs.

From Cowroast at the far end of the level (winding hole above the lock) the canal descends via eight locks to Berkhamstead but there are a further three locks before you reach a winding hole. Another four locks bring you to Winkwell Swing Bridge which requires the old BWB key to operate from the towpath.

Hemel Hempstead (winding hole) is reached after another seven locks.