Also known as the Leicester Ring, this epic canal boat holiday journey travels 154 miles through stunning English countryside, visiting a series of historic villages and market towns along the way.

What can you See & Do?

To complete this popular circuit takes two weeks, as you will need to cruise for around six hours each day, giving you some time to visit canalside villages, pubs and historic attractions along the way.

The East Midlands Ring

The East Midlands Ring, also known as the Leicester Ring, is a 154-mile long circuit of English waterways which travels through 100 locks and takes around 84 hours of cruising time.

Perfect for a two-week break afloat, the route takes canal boat holiday-makers on a waterway odyssey exploring a series of rivers and canals, including the Rivers Trent and Soar, the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, as well as the Coventry, Birmingham & Fazeley and Trent & Mersey canals.

Highlights along the way include the Foxton Flight of Locks with stunning views of the surrounding Leicestershire countryside, the picturesque canal village of Shardlow, and Coventry Cathedral, home to the famous majestic tapestry of Christ the King designed by Graham Sutherland.

  • GBB Hire Base

  • Numbered Attractions

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UK Canal map

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Things to see & do

From quiet country pubs and village churches, to exciting historic attractions where history and culture come to life, you’ll find plenty of places to visit on your canal journey.

Stourport Ring

Warwickshire Ring

Black Country Ring

Four Counties Ring

Avon Ring

Canal Boat and narrowboat holidays from Coventry with Great British Boating
Foxton Locks in Leicestershire on the East Midlands canal boat holiday route
Shardlow Canal heritage centre on the East Midlands canal holiday ring.
Narrowboat and Canal Boat Holidays near Braunston with Great British Boating
Yew tree farm shop on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal

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