Ashby Canal Walk

Route Overview

The Ashby Canal Walk is a relaxed 4-mile stroll along one of the most peaceful and picturesque canals in the Midlands. The Ashby Canal is unusual among English canals in that it has no locks along its navigable length, resulting in a mirror-still waterway that reflects the overhanging trees and passing clouds with photographic clarity. This lock-free character also means the towpath is entirely flat, making it one of the most accessible walks in the area.

Starting from the canal basin in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, the route follows the towpath south through the edges of town before entering open countryside. The canal cuts through a gentle, green landscape of pasture fields and hedgerow-bordered banks, with mature willows dipping their branches into the water and hawthorn bushes providing seasonal displays of blossom and berries. The peace is extraordinary - away from the town, the only sounds are birdsong, the occasional splash of a water vole, and the gentle lapping of water against the bank.

The walk passes several attractive canal bridges, each built in the characteristic red brick of the region. These hump-backed bridges are interesting features in their own right, and the views from their crests - looking down the straight stretches of canal disappearing into the distance - are wonderfully atmospheric. Narrowboats are a regular sight, particularly during the summer months, their colourful paintwork adding charm to the pastoral scene.

The outward journey follows the towpath for approximately 2 miles before the route turns back along a parallel field path, offering a different perspective on the canal landscape. The return leg passes through gentle farmland before rejoining the towpath for the final stretch back to Ashby. The entire route is flat, straightforward, and suitable for walkers of all abilities, making it a wonderful option for a gentle afternoon outing.

Dog-Friendly Features

The Ashby Canal towpath is a superb dog walk. Dogs can be off lead along the towpath, though the canal edge requires some awareness - while there are no locks or weirs to create dangerous currents, dogs that jump into the canal may need assistance getting out if the banks are steep. The majority of the canal banks are gently sloping and dogs can enter and exit the water safely, but supervise near any sections with reinforced vertical edges.

The canal water is clean and dogs frequently swim and paddle, particularly during warmer months. The towpath surface is a mixture of compacted earth and grass, which is gentle on paws and comfortable for walking. The hedgerow-lined banks provide excellent scent trails, and the variety of waterside wildlife - ducks, moorhens, and water voles - keeps dogs entertained and alert.

The field path sections on the return leg may contain livestock, so dogs should be on lead until you have confirmed the fields are clear. Dog waste bins are available at the canal basin in Ashby and at intervals along the first section of the towpath. Along the more rural stretches, please bag and carry waste.

Getting There & Parking

The walk starts from the canal basin area in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The most convenient parking is at the North Street car park (LE65 1HU), which is a short walk from the canal and has spaces for approximately 100 vehicles. Charges are modest with free parking on Sundays. Alternative parking is available at the Hood Park Leisure Centre car park, which is closer to the canal but has limited spaces.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch does not have a railway station. The nearest station is at Burton upon Trent, approximately 10 miles away. Bus services connect Ashby with Leicester, Coalville, and Swadlincote, providing alternative transport options.

Seasonal Tips

The Ashby Canal is beautiful in every season. Spring brings an explosion of wildflowers along the towpath edges, with cow parsley, bluebells, and wild garlic creating a fragrant corridor. Summer is ideal for dog swimming and watching narrowboats navigate the canal, though the towpath can be busier with families and cyclists. Early mornings and evenings in summer are particularly magical, with mist rising from the still water and the light turning the canal to gold.

Autumn colour is reflected perfectly in the mirror-still water, creating double images of golden and russet trees. Winter walks are quiet and atmospheric, with the bare trees allowing more light to reach the towpath and long views along the canal. The towpath can become muddy after rain, particularly in the more rural sections, but the compacted surface means it recovers quickly. Wellies are advisable from November to March for the field path sections of the return leg.

Nearby Facilities

Ashby-de-la-Zouch has an excellent town centre with independent shops, cafes, and pubs. The Lamb Inn and The Bulls Head are both dog-friendly pubs within easy reach of the canal. Several cafes on Market Street welcome dogs at their outdoor tables. The town also has a castle (managed by English Heritage), a swimming pool, and a leisure centre.

Veterinary services are available in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and there are pet shops in the town centre. Public toilets are located in the town centre and at Hood Park. For a longer outing, the canal walk can be extended further south towards Snarestone, where the canal currently terminates at a picturesque wharf.