River Soar Guide for Narrowboat Cruising

River Soar Guide for Narrowboat Cruising

The River Soar is one of the most enjoyable inland cruising routes in the East Midlands, linking Leicester with Loughborough, rural Leicestershire villages and the River Trent. This River Soar guide is written for narrowboaters who want a practical overview of the route, with helpful notes on locks, moorings, facilities and river conditions.

The navigation offers a pleasing mix of city cruising, quiet meadows, broad water, old industrial heritage and friendly stopping places. It is not a difficult route in settled conditions, but it is a river navigation, so water levels, flow and weather deserve proper respect.

Where Is the River Soar Navigation?

The navigable River Soar forms part of the wider Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal route. For many boaters, it is the stretch that carries you north from Leicester towards Loughborough and on to Trent Lock, where the River Soar meets the River Trent and the Erewash Canal.

Travelling through the area gives you a good sense of how canal and river engineering work together. Some sections feel like canal, while others are unmistakably river, with wider bends, open views and changing levels after rain.

Popular places along or near the route include:

• Leicester city centre
• Birstall
• Thurmaston
• Sileby
• Mountsorrel
• Barrow upon Soar
• Loughborough
• Zouch
• Kegworth
• Trent Lock

This makes the River Soar a useful route for longer cruising rings and a rewarding destination in its own right.

Planning Your River Soar Cruise

A River Soar cruise can be planned as a relaxed short trip, a through route to the Trent, or part of a longer journey involving the Grand Union Canal, Erewash Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal or the River Trent. Your plan should allow flexibility, especially if heavy rain is forecast.

Unlike a fully canalised route, the River Soar can rise and fall quickly. Conditions that are easy one day may become unsuitable the next. Before setting off, check current navigation notices and pay attention to local signage at locks and river sections.

Useful planning tips include:

• Build in spare time in case river levels delay your journey.
• Check stoppage notices before committing to a passage.
• Carry an up-to-date waterways guide or navigation app.
• Know your turning points if you are not cruising through.
• Plan fuel, water and refuse stops rather than assuming facilities will appear when needed.

If you are new to river cruising, the Soar is a sensible place to gain experience, provided conditions are calm and you take advice seriously.

River Conditions and Safety

The most important point in any River Soar guide is that this is a river navigation. When the water is low and steady, it can feel gentle and straightforward. After heavy rain, the current can increase and navigation may become unsafe.

Canal & River Trust warning boards and local notices should always be followed. If boards indicate that navigation is not advised, wait. Do not treat red or amber warnings as a challenge to be overcome. A narrowboat has a large surface area and limited power compared with a fast-flowing river.

Practical safety advice includes:

• Wear lifejackets when working locks, handling ropes or cruising in strong flow.
• Approach river locks with care, especially when there is a noticeable current.
• Keep crew briefed before each lock or mooring manoeuvre.
• Avoid cruising in poor visibility or during strong winds if you are uncertain.
• Do not moor on lock landings except when waiting to use the lock.
• Use centre lines carefully, but never wrap ropes around hands or arms.

It is also worth remembering that river moorings can behave differently from canal moorings. Allow for rising or falling water and avoid tying ropes so tightly that the boat cannot move safely with changes in level.

Leicester and the Southern End of the Route

Leicester is a major feature of the River Soar route. The navigation takes you through a busy urban landscape, with a mix of bridges, towpaths, modern development and historic waterside buildings. It is a useful place for shops, transport links and a break from rural cruising.

As with many city stretches, plan your stopping points rather than arriving late and hoping for the best. Use recognised visitor moorings where available, secure the boat properly and keep valuable items out of sight.

Leicester is also where many boaters make decisions about timing. If you are heading north, check river conditions before leaving the city. If you are heading south, make sure you have enough time and daylight for the next part of your journey.

Birstall, Thurmaston and the Riverside Suburbs

North of Leicester, the route begins to soften as the city gives way to greener surroundings. Birstall and Thurmaston are useful areas for services, local shops and convenient stops, depending on mooring availability and your cruising plan.

This part of the navigation can feel quite varied. One moment you may be close to roads and housing, the next you are moving through open water and leafy edges. It is a pleasant transition from city to countryside.

Keep a steady pace and watch for rowers, paddle craft and wildlife. The River Soar is used by different groups, and a courteous approach makes life easier for everyone.

Sileby, Mountsorrel and Barrow upon Soar

The stretch through Sileby, Mountsorrel and Barrow upon Soar is a highlight for many narrowboaters. It combines village interest with attractive river scenery and a good choice of places to pause.

Sileby is known among boaters for its boating services and access to nearby facilities. Mountsorrel has a pleasant village feel, with walks and places to eat within reach, depending on where you moor. Barrow upon Soar is another popular stop, with village amenities and an attractive waterways setting.

On this section, take time to enjoy the slower pace. The river widens in places, the banks become more open and the route has a relaxed East Midlands character. In good weather, it is an ideal area for shorter cruising days with time ashore.

Loughborough and the Canal Connection

Loughborough is one of the most useful stops on the River Soar route. It offers shops, transport links, food options and boating facilities in the wider area. The Loughborough Navigation is closely associated with this part of the route and gives the town a long-standing waterways connection.

For visiting boaters, Loughborough can be a practical place to restock, meet crew or pause before continuing north towards Zouch, Kegworth and Trent Lock. Mooring demand can vary, especially in good cruising weather, so it is wise to arrive with enough daylight to move on if your first choice is full.

As you cruise through, be mindful of bridge holes, other boats and boats moored on the approach to popular areas. Slow down early and give moored craft plenty of consideration.

Zouch, Kegworth and the Approach to Trent Lock

North of Loughborough, the Soar continues through attractive and often quieter scenery. Zouch is a well-known boating spot, with a distinctive riverside setting. Kegworth is another useful village stop, with access to local facilities depending on your mooring location.

This northern section deserves careful planning because it brings you closer to the River Trent. Trent Lock is a significant waterways junction, connecting the River Soar, River Trent, Erewash Canal and nearby Trent & Mersey route options.

If you intend to continue onto the Trent, do not treat it as just another canal junction. The Trent is a larger river and may require more preparation, especially around timing, flow, weather and onward moorings. If in doubt, pause at or before Trent Lock and check conditions before proceeding.

Locks on the River Soar

The River Soar has a series of locks that vary in feel depending on whether you are on a more canal-like section or a river section. Many are straightforward in normal conditions, but the approach and exit can be affected by flow.

Take particular care when approaching a lock from downstream or when there is water moving across the lock mouth. Slow, controlled movements are better than last-minute corrections. Have crew ready, but avoid rushing.

Good lock practice on the Soar includes:

• Prepare ropes, windlasses and crew before you arrive.
• Let faster or more confident boats pass when safe and sensible.
• Share locks where appropriate, but communicate clearly.
• Keep children and pets supervised at all times.
• Close gates and paddles unless local instructions say otherwise.
• Move away from the lock landing promptly after use.

Some locks have bywashes or weirs nearby. Keep clear of strong flows and never assume that a calm-looking surface means there is no pull beneath the water.

Mooring on the River Soar

Mooring options vary along the route. You will find visitor moorings in some popular places, towpath moorings in suitable areas and private moorings that must not be used without permission. Always check signage before tying up.

Because parts of the Soar are river, think carefully about where and how you moor. Avoid spots close to weirs, lock approaches, sharp bends or narrow channels. Leave room for other boats to pass and consider whether the level could change overnight.

Practical mooring tips include:

• Use proper rings, bollards or pins where permitted.
• Set ropes to allow for modest changes in level on river sections.
• Do not block water points, lock landings or service areas.
• Check your ropes before going to bed and after heavy rain.
• Keep noise low near homes and other moored boats.

If you are unsure whether a mooring is suitable, carry on to a recognised visitor mooring rather than forcing a difficult stop.

Facilities and Supplies

The River Soar route passes through several useful towns and villages, but facilities are not evenly spaced. Water, refuse disposal, elsan points, pump-out, fuel and repairs should be planned in advance.

Leicester and Loughborough are the main urban centres, while places such as Sileby, Barrow upon Soar, Mountsorrel and Kegworth may provide access to shops, pubs or local services depending on your location. Opening times can change, so check ahead where possible.

Before a River Soar cruise, it is sensible to:

• Top up water when you have the chance.
• Keep fuel at a comfortable level.
• Empty toilet cassettes or arrange pump-out before remote stretches.
• Carry basic engine spares and tools.
• Have food on board in case weather delays your plans.

A little preparation makes the route far more relaxing, especially if you are travelling outside the busiest holiday period.

Wildlife, Walking and Places to Explore

The River Soar corridor is rich in wildlife and green spaces. You may see waterfowl, kingfishers, herons and other river species, particularly on quieter stretches. Early morning and evening are often the best times to enjoy the calmer side of the navigation.

Many stops offer access to towpath walks, riverside paths and village centres. Leicester provides museums, shopping and eating places, while Loughborough has a busy town atmosphere and good transport links. Villages such as Barrow upon Soar and Mountsorrel are ideal for a gentler wander.

As always, respect private land, keep dogs under control and leave no litter. Rural moorings depend on boaters behaving considerately.

Best Time to Cruise the River Soar

Spring to early autumn is the most popular period for cruising the River Soar, with longer days and more comfortable conditions. Summer can be busy in popular places, but it also gives you more daylight for lock flights, mooring searches and relaxed stops.

Winter cruising can be peaceful, but river levels, stoppages and shorter days make planning more important. Heavy rain at any time of year can affect the Soar, so the calendar matters less than the conditions on the day.

If you have flexibility, choose a settled weather window and avoid starting a through journey when prolonged rain is forecast. A cautious approach is not timid, it is good boating.

River Soar Cruising Tips for First-Time Visitors

If this is your first visit, do not over-plan each day. The River Soar rewards a slower pace, and conditions may encourage you to adjust your route. Aim for realistic cruising days with time for locks, service stops and mooring decisions.

Helpful first-time tips include:

• Start early enough to secure a sensible mooring before evening.
• Keep an eye on weather forecasts throughout the trip.
• Talk to local boaters, especially about river levels and mooring advice.
• Practise controlled approaches before reaching more awkward locks.
• Have a backup stopping place in mind each day.

Most importantly, treat the Soar as a living river, not a fixed canal. That mindset will help you make better decisions throughout the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the River Soar suitable for narrowboats?

Yes, the River Soar Navigation is used by narrowboats and other inland craft. It is suitable in normal conditions, but boaters must pay attention to river levels, flow warnings and navigation notices.

Can beginners cruise the River Soar?

Beginners can cruise the River Soar in settled conditions, especially with good preparation and sensible daily plans. However, it is wise to gain basic lock and boat-handling confidence before tackling river sections.

Are there good moorings on the River Soar?

There are visitor moorings and suitable stopping places along the route, particularly near towns and villages. Availability varies, so arrive early, check signs and avoid mooring near weirs, lock landings or private areas.

Do river levels change quickly on the Soar?

Yes, levels can change after heavy rain. Always check local warnings and do not cruise if signs indicate that navigation is unsafe. Waiting for conditions to improve is the safest choice.

Where does the River Soar meet the River Trent?

The River Soar meets the River Trent at Trent Lock, a major waterways junction also connected with the Erewash Canal. If continuing onto the Trent, check conditions and plan carefully before leaving the Soar.

A Route Worth Taking Slowly

The River Soar is a rewarding narrowboat route with enough variety to keep every day interesting. From Leicester’s urban waterways to the villages north of the city and the approach to Trent Lock, it offers practical stops, attractive scenery and useful cruising connections.

Plan carefully, respect the river and give yourself time to enjoy the places along the way. With sensible preparation, a River Soar cruise can be one of the most enjoyable journeys in the East Midlands waterways network.