Canal Boat Hire Location
Midland Mallard Canal Boat Hire location is at Bosworth Marina, Carlton Rd, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton. CV13 6PG. Situated in the beautiful town of Market Bosworth the final battle scene for King Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet kings.
The surrounding area of Market Bosworth is a SSSI site of special scientific interest with many plant and animal species present.
By Car
From the M1 Services at Leicester Forest East Take Baines Lane North and head towards Hinckley Rd/ the A47.
- Head west on Hinckley Road A47 for about two miles towards Grange Ave.
- Turn right near the ESSO garage onto Leicester Lane / B582.
- At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Leicester Ln/B582 Continue to follow B582
- Go left onto Bosworth Ln/B585
- Turn right onto A447
- Then turn left onto Bosworth Rd
- Continue onto The Park
- Continue onto Rectory Ln
- Rectory Ln turns right and becomes Market Pl
- Turn left onto Station Rd
- At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Market Bosworth Road
- Then take your first right onto Carlton Road the Marina Is on your right
By Bus
The rural bus terminal is by the entrance to Bosworth Marina and travels through the villages of Market Bosworth, Barlestone, Newbold Verdon, and Desford. It also travels to Leicester and to the burial place of Richard III. From Market Bosworth there are buses to other towns and villages nearby Click here for the bus timetable
By Bicycle
We are National Cycle Route no 52 and Hinckley and Bosworth cycling map H&B4 which can be downloaded at www.leics.gov.uk/cycling
The picture below shows Bosworth Marina.
Our Location in Relation to the Canal Network
Our location in relationship to the Ashby Canal Network can be seen on the map below, more details of how long it takes to navigate through the canal system can be found at the following website CanalplanAC. This website allows you to enter details of your journey including how many hours you wish to travel each day. This will allow you to consider your holiday options.
Points Of interest on the Ashby Canal Include various pubs and cafes detailed below…
About The Midlands!
The Midlands Geography
The Midlands is an area centrally located within England, part of the UK. It currently has no designated administrative area , it therefore, lacks any strict definition. However, it is generally considered to include the counties of Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Being as far inland as it is possible to be, the Midlands generally has a temperate climate with generally calm winds and warm summers.
History of the Midlands
History of the Midlands shows it as the historical heartland of the Industrial revolution which came about during the period between 1760 and 1820. Incidentally, this period coincides exactly with the reign of King George III. During this period, hand held tools and the human workforce began to be replaced by steam driven machines. These were more reliable and could work around the clock. Machines based around the James Watt steam engines incorporated a circular motion thus replacing the piston motion engines of the past. This enabled industry to create production line systems. Due to these changes, and due to the large number of factories making textiles and popular products of the time, this made the Midlands a significant contributor at the cutting edge of the industrial revolution.
The Midlands Canal Network
The network first came into being in the 18th century and was “Cut” to provide transport for the growing pottery industries around Staffordshire and the West Midlands. It was created to provide a more efficient and faster route for commercial goods to be transported. The Midlands Canal Network formed a major navigational highway through the period of Industrial revolution. Canal boats were mainly pulled by horses which travelled on the “Tow Path” built next to the canals. Horses were later replaced by on-board mechanised systems, which again were brought about by changes in the James Watts Steam engine.
Types of Narrowboats
Some of the steam powered boats can still be seen today making their way up and down the Midlands Canals. These are mainly kept under wraps and reserved for special boating events. Most of the canal boats are now powered by even more efficient propulsion methods such as Diesel engines and even hybrid petrol engines using silent electric motors. Later, around 1840, the steam powered train network came into being and began to threaten the very existence of the canal network as transport times were quicker. By 1850, nearly two thirds of the produce previously carried by canal was now being transported by rail.
Things to see and do on the Midlands Canal Network
There are many relics of the industrial revolution to observe throughout the Midlands Canal Network. There are many things to do whilst navigating the Midlands canal network not least of all the pubs and restaurants that festoon the tow paths. Ironically, what had become the bane of the Midlands Canal network inadvertently became it saving grace.
Steam Engines
As steam engines rolled on to become the highways of their day the canal network was allowed to rest and mature. Where once stood a dirty trodden towpath may now contain a woodland. Where once upon a time industry had created pollution, there are un-spoilt waters containing large fish.
Wildlife
The nearby waters now house some very weird and wonderful creatures indeed. During the 1990’s, children watching T.V programmes like Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles went out and purchased Terrapins from their local pet shops. Once the children became bored of the turtles and moved onto something more adult, those turtles were discarded into the Canal Network. Some survive in parts and can grow to be the size of dinner plates. This is why the Midlands Canal network is worth exploration and why we hope you will enjoy the freedom and adventure that it will bring to you.
Midland Mallard
Carlton Rd, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, England, UK, CV13 6PG
Contact: +44 (0)7397 997646
We are open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily.