Oxford Canal:(Adjacent canals can be viewed with the above links)
The North Oxford runs south from the Coventry canal, at Hawksbury Junction, down to Braunston where it shares it's course for a while with the later built Grand Union. This northern section of the Oxford canal is nearer in character to the Coventry canal than the Southern Oxford Canal which leaves the combined course with the GU and runs south from Napton to Oxford on the Thames. Whereas the Southern Oxford is a true 'contour canal' winding backwards and forwards following the contours of the land, it’s northern counterpart had great efforts made to straighten it’s course (and speed the route up in an attempt to compete with the more direct GU). For us the North Oxford is an important part of the route south - T&M - Coventry - North Oxford - Grand Union. It is also part of the Leicester ring (see R.Soar). We probably wouldn't recommend a visit to the North Oxford, just for the sake of it - there are nicer canals to visit. But it’s not an unpleasant canal and it's an important link in the route south. We do, however, frequently use the northern Oxford heading south to Braunston - to subsequently gain access to gorgeously rural Grand Union (Leics Section) - now that canal really is worth a visit.