Six great canalside pubs to visit in Warwickshire this spring
Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull are blessed with more than their fair share of canals and the history of Britain’s canal network means there are many great hostelries waterside to pay a visit to. Of course back in the day they were there for purely practical purposes – when the canals were the country’s motorways of the time. These days they cater more for leisure visitors – people from the cities, towns and suburbs who enjoy a drink or meal next to the water.
However, they are also there for those arriving by boat, be they folk who live on canal boats or holidaymakers experiencing life onboard. The opportunity to run a Warwickshire canalside pub – the Navigation Inn in Lapworth – has recently arisen and it got us thinking about some of the pubs next to canals in the county. Here’s a list of just some of them, including the Navigation Inn, which has an unusual claim to fame regarding the legendary Irish stout Guinness.
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The Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction
The Greyhound Inn, Sutton Stop, Coventry.
Dating from early 1800s, the Greyhound is packed full of character, warmth and friendliness, contributing to winning best pub in Coventry & Warwickshire four times. Naturally a dog-friendly pub, Sutton Stop’s Greyhound Inn is a Camra award-winner with good food and a bustling atmosphere. Its team of chefs creates a selection of hand-crafted dishes.
With regular specials and pub favourites it promises something for everyone.
02476 363046 CV6 6DF
The Kings Head at Atherstone
The Kings Head pub, Atherstone (Image: via @punchpubs twitter social)
The Kings Head, Atherstone, has recently undergone extensive refurbishment. It is a friendly and welcoming village pub which serves freshly prepared locally sourced food and a wide selection of quality drinks, including cask ales.
The pub is situated directly on the Coventry Canal and guests can dine or enjoy a drink in the large canalside beer garden. It is also dog friendly
01827 712078 CV9 2PA
The Anchor at Hartshill
The Anchor in Hartshill, Nuneaton (Image: Coventry Telegraph)
The building which is home to the Anchor in Hartshill, Nuneaton, dates back over 200 years.
It offers lunch and evening meals. It aims to be an all-year-round pub with a snug feel in winter and wooden beams and open fires. It has a children’s play area and wide open areas to enjoy some spring and summer sun.
02476 393444 CV10 0RT
The Barley Mow at Newbold-on-Avon
Barley Mow in Rugby
The Barley Mow at Newbold-on-Avon in Rugby, has function rooms, an adventure playground and en-suite accommodation. It has a large restaurant and lounge.
The food is freshly prepared and locally sourced. Food and drink can be served in the bar, large restaurant, lounge or the outdoor areas and gardens. The Barley Mow also has nine ensuite rooms to choose from, ranging from single occupancy, double rooms and family rooms.
01788 544174 CV21 1HW
The Bell and Barge, Rugby
The Bell and Barge
A Harvester pub in a unique surrounding in Rugby, with British pub food classics, unlimited fresh salad and breakfasts. Set on the banks of the Old Canal, the Bell and Barge boasts an impressive waterside location and a large sunny beer garden.
The perfect place for a pit stop during a canalside walk, or to watch the canal boats pass you by as you enjoy a refreshing pint in the beer garden during the spring and summer months
01788 569466 CV21 1RG
The Navigation Inn, Lapworth
The Navigation Inn, Old Warwick Road, Lapworth (Image: Stonegate Group)
This traditional country pub in Lapworth, Warwickshire, takes pride in its great quality ales, varied wines and fresh, home-cooked food. It has a large canalside beer garden and has a claim to fame as the only pub in the country to serve Guinness on handpull.
The pub says it has used its expert knowledge to put a few twists on this classic beer, creating a smoother tasting pint with a thicker, creamier head. In December 2018, it was awarded 5 stars, the highest possible accreditation, for its excellent beer and ale by Cask Marque, the independent quality auditors. It has free WiFi and welcomes dogs both inside and within the grounds.
01564 783337
B94 6NA