Your floating hotel on the Canals and Rivers of the UK

Our guide to the waterways of the UK in detail.

The River Soar.

For twenty four miles the River Soar has been made navigable from its mouth at Trent Lock just above Thrumpton Weir on the River Trent up into the centre of Leicester.

The river Soar contrast to the Trent is narrow and winding. The first three locks in the shadow of the massive cooling towers of Ratcliffe Power Station are usually kept open in summer, being there to cope with the floods of the winter. In the nine mile stretch up to the outskirts of Loughborough there are in fact only two locks which are in use all the time both of them are deep and Zouch has flood moorings above it protected by a further flood gate. However the threat of flooding has saved this stretch of river from development along its banks.

At Loughborough as the canal winds for three miles through the town and industry it climbs up two locks and passes the recently redeveloped wharf.

Until the outskirts of Leicester for another eight miles the river meanders around its flood plain passing up through another four or five locks, one only operates if the river is in flood. Despite the occasion intrusion of small towns or large villages it is very pleasant cruising.

At first when you reach the outskirts of Leicester the city is held at bay by the flood plain and flooded gravel workings. So for a further four miles and three locks you are accompanied by grass and trees. However for the last two miles the river assumes the characteristic of an inner city canal as it passes via two final locks right into the heart of Leicester. Mooring here is at secured moorings alongside Castle Park in the very centre of Leicester at the start of the Leicester and Northampton canal which carries the navigation on South.

• Loughborough. A busy small industrial town.
• Great Central Railway. Main Line Steam trains - every weekend throughout the year. Re-creating the experience of famous expresses of the steam age. Passenger trains also on weekdays, June to August.
• Bell Foundry Museum. Tells the story of bellfounding through the ages with an extensive range of exhibits and memorabilia. A visit to the museum may be enhanced by a tour of the foundry and the works. This is especially exciting at the time of bell casting.
• Loughborough Carillon & War Memorial. The first Grand Carillon of Britain. Museum of armed forces, special displays, weekly recitals and panoramic views.
• Charnwood Museum. Award winning museum exploring the history of Charnwood. Changing exhibitions, regular events, children's holiday activities.
• Old Rectory Museum & Wildlife Garden. Restored 13th Century small stone building with local interest exhibits.

• Stonehurst Family Farm & Museum. A working farm and collection of memorabilia.
  

• Leicester. The Jewry Wall is one of Leicester's most famous landmarks. It is a rare example of Roman walling which has survived for nearly 2000 years. Its two arched doorways formed the entrance to the Roman public bathhouse, the remains of which are laid out in front of the Wall.
• Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology, displaying Leicester's industrial, technological and scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry, to space exploration of today.
• Newarke Houses Museum Leicester The first floor of the museum is home to permanent displays about The Royal Leicestershire Regiment - 'The Tigers'. The galleries on the ground floor, tell the story of Leicester and its people in the 20th century.
• New Walk Museum and Art Gallery has been the inspiration for many people including Lord Attenborough and Sir David Attenborough, who pursued their love of art and natural history as a result of spending their formative years as regular visitors to the galleries. Leicester's oldest museum has wide-ranging collections spanning the natural and cultural world.
• The award winning National Space Centre at Leicester is the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space. From the minute you catch sight of the Space Centre's futuristic Rocket Tower, you 'll be treated to hours of breathtaking discovery and interactive fun.
• Guru Nanak Sikh Museum opened in 1992 it houses paintings on Sikh history ranging from portraits of the Sikh Gurus, the Sikh scholars, paintings relating to Sikh rule in the Punjab in the 19th Century and the persecution of the Sikhs. There are also models of several Temples. The photographic gallery displays photographs dating from the 1840's of those people who took part in the struggles faced by the Sikh Nation and also the role played by the Sikh soldiers in both World Wars and the struggle for freedom of India.
• Castle Gardens, Leicester, with the remains of the medieval Motte & Bailey Castle. We actually moor at the gardens.

Some pictures of this river?

Pictures of the Soar.

A history of this river.

Find our information about other canals and rivers on the canal index page.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk