All but four of the locks are in the bottom half below Braunston. Slightly north of Rugby are the three Hillmorton Locks and the final lock at Hawkesbury Junction where the Oxford Canal meets the Coventry Canal.
Joining the River Thames via Dukes Lock and Dukes Cut near Wolvercote.
Our 'Lock Count' includes Lock 44a on Dukes Cut and Lock 56 Isis Lock, both of which connect the Oxford Canal to the River Thames at different points.
Lock Gates
Tunnel Aqueduct
Opened on the 1st January 1790
From Oxford to Coventry and travelling through Bedworth, Banbury, Rugby to a little north of Coventry. Connecting to the River Thames at Oxford and the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction.
Near to Braunston, The Oxford Canal merges with the Grand Union Canal for 5 miles. Largely built by James Brindley and completed, after his death, by his son-in-law Samual Simcock.
Journey Through the Archways of Time
Newbould Tunnel at Newbould near Rugby is 270 yards long. The current tunnel is the second to be built at Newbould. The original, now bricked up with only bats using it today through some purpose made holes.
Nestled in the heart of Newbould, the Newbould Tunnel stands as a silent witness to the passage of time, echoing tales of industry, ingenuity, and the evolution of transportation.
Newbould Tunnel, also known, by the locals, as a canal tunnel, was born out of the Industrial Revolution's need for efficient transportation of goods.
A silent witness to the passage of time, stands as a testament to the prowess of engineering and the interconnectedness of history. Let's embark on a journey to unravel the history and facts surrounding this remarkable tunnel, understanding its construction, purpose, and the impact it has had on both the local community and the broader landscape.
Built in 1829, Newbould Tunnel was a marvel of its time. Its architectural features and design considerations showcase the ingenuity and skill of the engineers who brought this tunnel to life.
Over the years, many sections of the Oxford Canal have been re-engineered. Loops removed and the canal straightened out a little. Using satellite view on Google, it is possible to see some of the old sections now mostly filled in or isolated see here and here.
Going north from Oxford, the canal weaves back and forth running fairly parallel, for much of the time, with the River Cherwell and even merging with it.
When you look at the course of the canal on Google Maps with Terrain switched on, you can see the route follows the lower valleys and the course of the River Cherwell. A straighter route could have been taken but with a great many more locks.
A little under 2 miles east of Rugby, you'll find Hillmorton Locks, numbered 2 to 7. They are three pairs of locks. Originally 3 single locks. By 1829, trade was falling rapidly. The northern end of the canal needed work to straighten and shorten it to make it more attractive as an economical route to Oxford. Quickly, the 3 locks at Hillmorton became congested with boat traffic and so were doubled.
It should be noted that many canal maps say that there are 46 locks. This is inaccurate unless you intend to go through each of the paired locks 
. So, travelling the full length of the Oxford Canal, there are only 43 locks to navigate.
| Lock # | Lock Name | Rise/Fall |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawkesbury Stop Lock (connects to the Coventry Canal) | 1 ft |
| 2–7 | Hillmorton Locks (3 pairs of locks) | 18 ft 7 in |
| 8–16 | Napton Bottom Lock to Napton Top Lock | 49 ft 1 in |
| 17–21 | Claydon Top Lock to Claydon Bottom Lock | 30 ft 6 in |
| 22 | Elkington's Lock | 6 ft 5 in |
| 23 | Varney's Lock | 5 ft 10 in |
| 24 | Broadmoor Lock | 7 ft 3 in |
| 25 | Cropredy Lock | 5 ft 6 in |
| 26 | Slat Mill Lock | 8 ft 0 in |
| 27 | Bourton Lock | 6 ft 5 in |
| 28 | Hardwick Lock | 7 ft 6 in |
| 29 | Banbury Lock | 5 ft 10 in |
| 30 | Grant's Lock | 9 ft 6 in |
| 31 | King's Sutton Lock | 10 ft 8 in |
| 32 | Nell Bridge Lock | 8 ft 8 in |
| 33 | Aynho Weir Lock | 1 ft |
| 34 | Somerton Deep Lock | 12 ft |
| 35 | Heyford Common Lock | 7 ft 2 in |
| 36 | Allen's Lock | 5 ft |
| 37 | Dashwood Lock | 9 ft 3 in |
| 38 | Northbrook Lock | 5 ft |
| 39 | Pigeon Lock | 8 ft 4 in |
| 40 | Baker's Lock | 8 ft 6 in |
| 41 | Shipton Weir Lock | 2 ft 5 in |
| 42 | Roundham Lock | 7 ft 5 in |
| 43 | Kidlington Green Lock | 4 ft 9 in |
| 44 | Duke's Lock | 5 ft 4 in |
| 44A | Duke's Cut Lock (link to the River Thames) | 3 ft 4 in |
| 45 | Wolvercote Lock | 3 ft 8 in |
| 46 | Isis Lock (link to the Thames via Sheepwash Channel) | 3 ft 6 in |
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