Coventry Canal Basin

Coventry Canal Basin has plenty to offer for a family day out, from waterside wildlife to relaxing walks and historic canal architecture. Situated in the heart of the city, it marks the start of the Coventry Canal.

The great canal engineer, James Brindley, designed the Coventry Canal in 1768. The work on the canal started in Longford and worked in both directions, reaching the basin in 1769.

Fascinating changes

The basin has witnessed many fascinating changes over the years. It used to serve as an important industrial hub for the North Warwickshire collieries. Goods were loaded and unloaded here and then bound towards the Midlands via the Trent & Mersey Canal, or the Oxford Canal towards London. But as the use of the canal for transportation of goods declined throughout the 20th Century, mainly due to the closure of the collieries, by the 1950s the basin had fallen into dereliction.

The City Council was considering closing and draining the canal, but in 1957 the Coventry Canal Society was established with the aim of saving the canal and promoting its use and maintenance. The society's efforts over the last 60 years, in partnership with the City Council, British Waterways, and Canal & River Trust, has seen the canal become an important leisure and environmental resource for Coventry.

Where does the water come from?

The water at Coventry Canal Basin comes mainly from the North Oxford Canal, through Hawkesbury Junction 5½ miles away As well as water coming through the stop-lock at Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury Sluice allows water to flow directly from the Oxford to the Coventry Canal. This water also fills the Ashby Canal, which lost its reservoir when the north end of the canal was closed due to mining subsidence.

The water may come from the River Swift near Rugby, and from reservoirs north of Daventry and Banbury. Feeders (diverted streams) bring water into the pound further north, and when neccessary water can be pumped up from Griff Brook into the canal.

Coventry Canal Basin is the southernmost part of a 37 mile pound (canal length with no locks) extending to Atherstone Locks and including the entire Ashby Canal. Some water from this pound flows down past Atherstone Locks to the lower level.

Things to see and do

Planning your visit

Getting there