Overview

The countryside around here is a little hilly, rising up to 450 feet, it’s good grazing and dairy farmland, lots of trees but no large woodland as such, but a pleasure to drive along. This is a small old fashioned canal pub, close to the junction of the Grand Union canal with the Stratford and Avon canal. The canal itself reached here in 1815, and it stands next to bridge 65. The canal itself is in a very attractive area, with lots of greenery, and inviting (photo 1). It is not far from Lapworth, on the B4493, and stands next to bridge 65. We mention this simply because there is an interesting walk for the able bodied, perhaps you may have children, or your little dog needs to find a wee place, but a short circular walk can be taken from here. First of all be careful crossing the B4439 as you need to get to the other side of the bridge ahead, then there are steps that will take you down onto the towpath, then walk away from the pub, with the canal now on your left, and take the short walk to the junction of the Grand Union canal with the branch canal known as the Lapworth link, I believe this was opened in 1995, and going along this stretch of canal will take you round to meet the junction with the Stratford and Avon canal. You can then continue along that towpath and return to B4439 to turn right and return to The Navigation, but again be careful if you have children with you. If you the disabled person wants to see this connection of canals, then you need to drive out of car park area, and turn right on B4439 and go over the little canal bridge, then just a few yards later, turn left on Brome Hall lane, and drive past the few houses to a small parking area by the waterworks buildings, and to your left is a very small car parking area on dirt. Take the path leading down to towpath, and you can enjoy the views of the canal from there. Notice the Barrel roofed cottage by junction of the Lapworth link, most unusual. It’s a nice little area around these canals, but you really need a dry day, as it’s all dirt track, and may be impossible for you to get round to the actual junction itself, but you may wish to give it a try. So, what do we feel about “The Navigation” First of all make sure you have entered the Sat NAV directions for this pub, as there are three Navigation pubs in the vicinity, so enter B94 6NA for directions. We used this pub as part of our canal trip, and we will give you details on this trip later on with a fresh review of our historic canal trip. The Navigation is in a beautiful setting alongside the Grand Union canal, and as we approached this small pub it had an appealing look about it.The car park was of a reasonable size, with easy access to the pub, simply going round the side of it into the delightful garden area, where we sat looking at the canal views with weeping willow trees, an idyllic spot for relaxing. A path takes you to the area under a canopy, (photo 3) and as it was very hot it gave plenty of shade to allow us to enjoy the surroundings. To get to the bar ready to order our drinks was easy enough, all on the level and through the little door (photo 4) then up to the bar, still all on the level. It’s just a basic bar, nothing fancy, (photo 5) but a reasonable choice of drinks. You ride over a stone flagged floor, (photo 6) so it was easy to get wheelchair along. There is a big log burner which we imagine in the winter when lit, would be very warm and welcoming. Outside again, when you go through the canopy, there is a grassy area with tables and chairs (photo 7) and from here you can get unto the towpath to look over canal, but for walking you would need to get to the other side for the towpath. We enjoyed our short visit, very pleasant on this nice warm day, and enjoyed our drinks. (photo 8). It serves a pint unique to the pub, Lapworth Gold, brewed in Coventry. We will say this though, that it was very pleasant sitting outdoors, rather than inside, which we feel is just a very basic pub, and it looks better from the road than indoors (photo 9). Our final thoughts. We chose this pub because of the historic Lapworth link, it’s not often you will find a circular walk between two different canals, so although The Navigation didn’t inspire us it was interesting enough a short break. We did not need toilets, so failed to report for you, but we cannot imagine a separate disabled toilet here, it’s not a big enough pub. For a short visit as you tour around, we feel you may manage this little pub and think we can recommend a visit for you.

Transport & Parking

You drive through pleasant landscape to a Large dirt track area, plenty of room to park.

Access

Entered gardens on flat level surfaces, and it was easy enough to get into old pub as on the level, even if a little narrow by bar entrance, but it’s level tiled flooring.

Toilets

Did not see any, so cannot comment about toilets

Staff

Quiet, but got on with service, nobody in pub, so saw no other staff.

Photos