Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Middlewich and Return – 27 miles, 14 locks, 13 hours total
A great choice for beginners with relaxed cruising hours and a good number of locks. Begin your journey by heading north on the Shropshire Union from the base at basin at Nantwich. Cruise past Hurleston Junction and the entrance to the Llangollen Canal and on to Barbridge Junction where you will join onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union. Pass through quiet farmland to the village of Church Minshull, where there is an oak-beamed 18th Century Pub and a selection of local stores. Continue cruising to Middlewich Junction, where you will head north on the Trent & Mersey Canal. There are moorings available along the towpath or outside one of the canalside pubs. Moor up and take a walk into Middlewich, this historic town is home to the medieval St Michael’s Church, which was used as a place for refuge for Royalists in the Civil War. The town also hosts an abundance of pubs along with some useful stores, a takeaway and a chemist. Use the winding hole provided before the Big Lock to turn your boat for the journey back to Nantwich.
Intermediate route: Chester and Return – 36 miles, 22 locks, 16.5 hours total
Start your journey from our base at Nantwich Basin heading north on the Shropshire Union Canal. Travel through beautiful unspoilt countryside, passing Hurleston and Barbridge Junction and on to the Bunbury Locks. Continue to the village of Beeston, home to Beeston Castle. Situated on top of a steep hill, these impressive ruins date back to the 14th Century. To visit the castle, moor up by bridge 107, where there are also a couple of pubs within walking distance. Cruise on from Beeston through the picturesque Cheshire Plains heading towards the village of Christleton, here you’ll get your first glimpse of the city of Chester, where the towers and spires come into view. If you feel a little short on time, there are moorings at Christleton by Christleton Lock close to the park and ride service into Chester. Alternatively, continue cruising to Bridge 123D and moor close by for a short walk into Chester city centre. This Roman city has so much to explore, including its Roman walls, Chester Cathedral and Chester Zoo to name a few. Use the winding hole just after the bridge to turn your boat, ready for the return journey back to Nantwich.
Active route: Market Drayton and Return – 24 miles, 44 locks, 16 hours total
A great option for lock-enthusiasts and for those wanting an active weekend break, or more relaxed midweek break. Start your cruise from the basin at Nantwich heading south down the Shropshire Union, pass through Hack Green- home of the ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’ (moor at bridge 85 to visit this unique attraction). Continue to the Audlem Lock Flight of 15, mooring up after the first few locks near bridge 78 to visit the pubs and local stores. Continue cruising past farmer’s fields towards the village of Adderley, passing through the five Adderley Locks before reaching the traditional Shropshire market town of Market Drayton- the home of gingerbread, which has been baked here for over 200 years. Moor in the visitor moorings for a pleasant 20 minute walk into this attractive, historic town, with its 17th Century black and white timber-framed buildings and good selection of pubs and shops. Turn at the boatyard by bridge 63 to start the return journey back to Nantwich.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Lymm and Return - 81 miles, 19 locks, 33.5 hours total
A great option for beginners or for those who do not like too many locks. Begin your journey by heading north on the Shropshire Union from the base at Nantwich to Barbridge Junction where you will join onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union. Pass through quiet farmland to the village of Church Minshull, where there is an oak-beamed 18th Century Pub and a selection of local stores. Continue cruising to Middlewich Junction, where you will head north on the Trent & Mersey Canal. Travel through the locks at Middlewich, past the canalside pubs and eateries and over the Croxton Aqueduct, which passes over the River Dane below. Enjoy the quiet, open countryside as you cruise towards the attractive town of Northwich, where there is a good selection of pubs, restaurants and shops. Continue on past the village of Marston and the Salt Barge pub, with an interesting contrast of scenery, rural beauty in parts and industrial in others. There are visitor moorings on the approach to the Anderton Boat Lift, moor here to visit this Victorian waterways marvel of engineering. There is an interesting visitor’s centre along with a cafe and gift shop. Cruise through two smaller tunnels, the Barnton Tunnel of 572yds and the Saltersford Tunnel of 424yds and then cruise through the Preston Brook Tunnel of 1239yds, after which you’ll join onto the Bridgewater Canal. Travel east passing through Stockton Heath with fantastic views of the Pennines in the distance and continue to the attractive town of Lymm. Use the visitor moorings to walk into the town for an excellent selection of pubs and shops. Turn at the winding hole slightly further on to start the journey back to base.
Intermediate route – Brewood and Return - 70 miles, 56 locks, 36 hours total
Cruise south down the scenic Shropshire Union Canal towards Hack Green, where there is a ‘secret' nuclear bunker that you can visit. Continue to the Audlem Flight of 15 locks, mooring up after the first few (near bridge 78) to visit local pubs, including the iconic ‘Shroppie Fly'. The canal then borders farmland and woodland as you drift towards the village of Adderley, where you pass through five locks before reaching the historic town of Market Drayton - the home of gingerbread. Moor up for a pleasant walk into this attractive town, with its picturesque black and white timber-framed buildings, Buttercross, market square and selection of quirky pubs. From Market Drayton, go through the 5 Tyrley Locks then down narrow Woodseaves Cutting; passing under High Bridge as you approach Norbury Junction (pub). The canal then meanders lock-free past Gnosall, to Wheaton Aston where there is just one lock and a canalside pub. Cruising over the Stretton Aqueduct you pass Brewood Wharf, finding Brewood Bridge (No. 14) just after. Moor up here to walk into this pretty, historic village which offers a couple of restaurants along with some local pubs and cafés. To return to Nantwich, travel a little further south, turning your boat just after Chillington Bridge (No. 9) and cruise back again.
Intermediate route: Ellesmere Port, Market Drayton and Return – 78 miles, 72 locks, 39.5 hours total
Start your journey from our base at Nantwich heading north on the Shropshire Union Canal. Travel through beautiful unspoilt countryside to the village of Beeston, home to Beeston Castle. Situated on top of a steep hill, these impressive ruins date back to the 14th Century. Cruise on from Beeston through the picturesque Cheshire Plains heading towards the village of Christleton, here you’ll get your first glimpse of the city of Chester, where the towers and spires come into view. Continue cruising to Bridge 123D and moor close by for a short walk into Chester city centre. This Roman city has so much to explore, including the Roman Walls, Chester Cathedral and Chester Zoo to name a few. A few more locks allow you to continue to Ellesmere Port with a possible intermediate stop for a walk to the popular Chester Zoo. Continue on and moor up for a visit to the celebrated National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port before using the winding hole to turn your boat for the journey to Market Drayton. Head south down the Shropshire Union, passing the ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’ at Hack Green. Continue through Audlem and Adderley before reaching the traditional Shropshire market town of Market Drayton- the home of gingerbread, which has been baked here for over 200 years. Moor in the visitor moorings for a pleasant 20 minute walk into this attractive, historic town, with its 17th Century black and white timber-framed buildings and good selection of pubs and shops. Turn at the boatyard by bridge 63 to start the return journey back to Nantwich.
Active route: Llangollen and Return – 92 miles, 42 locks, 47.5 hours total
A busy weekly route, best suited to the longer summer days and out of school holidays. Cruise north from the base at Nantwich and up to Hurleston Junction. Join on to the Llangollen Canal and travel through the Hurleston Locks. Cruise on through the green Cheshire countryside and climb through the Baddiley locks on the way to Wrenbury, which is a great place to visit. Moor by bridge 19 for a short walk into the village where you will find a 14th Century church and several pubs and stores. Cruise through the Grindley Brook Locks and on to Whitchurch; moor up along the Whitchurch Arm to visit the town. Make your way past Ellesmere to Frankton Junction, where you will pass the entrance to the Montgomery Canal. Cruise through the last two locks on the way to Llangollen at New Marton and past a couple of canalside pubs on your way to Chirk. Cruise across the impressive Chirk Aqueduct and into the Chirk Tunnel (459yds). Continue through the shorter Whitehouse Tunnel (191yds) on the approach to the most highly anticipated feature of the Llangollen Canal- the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. One of the most famous attractions on the whole of the canal network, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries boaters 126ft above the River Dee below and has now been named a World Heritage Site. Continue through the Vale of Llangollen until you reach the basin at Llangollen. Moor here to visit the numerous attractions such as The Llangollen Steam Railway, the Horseshoe Falls or Dinas Bran Castle. Turn at the basin for the journey back to Nantwich.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Four Counties Ring - 110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours total
The Four Counties Ring offers boaters an unforgettable journey through the counties Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and West Midlands. From the base at Nantwich, head south on the Shropshire Union to the lock flight of 15 at Audlem. Continue cruising through picturesque Shropshire countryside, passing interesting villages and market towns such as Market Drayton- the home of gingerbread. At Autherley Junction head north east onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, pass through the locks to the old village of Penkridge where there are plenty of pubs and stores. Continue on through Tixall Wide to the junction at Great Haywood, where you join the Trent & Mersey Canal and head north towards Stoke on Trent passing the busy town of Stone. Cruise through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent and then onto the Harecastle Tunnel (2926yds) remember to book your passage through the tunnel. Cruise past a couple of canalside pubs and the entrance to the Macclesfield Canal at Harding’s Wood Junction before navigating through the Cheshire Locks. Join onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union at Middlewich Junction, cruise across the small aqueduct, crossing over the River Weaver below. Once at Barbridge Junction head south back onto the Shropshire Union Canal towards Nantwich and return your boat to the marina. This route is also achievable in a 10/11 night holiday.
Intermediate route: The Cheshire Ring – 123 miles, 100 locks, 64 hours total
The Cheshire Ring provides boaters with the opportunity to experience some of the most incredible scenery on the UK canals, travelling through the Cheshire Plains, picturesque villages and canalside towns. Start your journey cruising north on Shropshire Union Canal to Barbridge Junction. Cruise to the Middlewich Junction and head southeast to tackle the Cheshire Locks through to Harding’s Wood Junction, where there are a couple of canalside pubs and eateries. Travel across the Pool Aqueduct at the entrance of the Macclesfield Canal and then shortly afterwards across the Red Bull Aqueduct. Cruise through beautiful open countryside, past numerous canalside towns and villages to the locks at Bosley. Complete the 12 locks and enjoy a nice lock-free stretch all the way through Macclesfield to Marple Junction where there is a canalside pub. Join onto the Peak Forest Canal and tackle the 16 Marple Locks before crossing the most impressive feature of the Peak Forest Canal- the Marple Aqueduct. The scenery starts to become more industrial as you leave the rural scenery behind and start on the approach to Manchester. At Dunkenfield Junction, join onto the Ashton Canal heading west, travelling through a rather built up area, with Old Trafford visible from the waterways. The rural tranquillity soon resumes as you head away from the city and join onto the Bridgewater Canal. Travel south to Lymm, with great views of the Pennines and access to a couple of pubs, fish & chips and stores. Join onto the Trent & Mersey Canal passing the impressive Victorian Anderton Boat Lift, there are visitor moorings should you wish to stop off and visit. Continue cruising to Middlewich, where you can cruise onto the Middlewich Branch, past Church Minshull to Barbridge Junction. Head south from the junction onto the Shropshire Union and back to the base at Nantwich.
Active Route: The Four Counties Ring and the Llangollen Canal - 202 miles, 136 locks, 107.5 hours total
The ideal cruise for the more experienced boater that likes to keep busy! From Nantwich, head south on the Shropshire Union to the lock flight of 15 at Audlem. Continue past the historic market town of Market Drayton and continue to Autherley Junction. At the junction head north east onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, pass through the locks to the old village of Penkridge where there are plenty of pubs and stores. Continue on through Tixall Wide to the junction at Great Haywood, where you join the Trent & Mersey Canal and head north towards Stoke on Trent passing the busy town of Stone. Cruise through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent and then onto the Harecastle Tunnel (2926yds) remember to book your passage through the tunnel. Cruise past a couple of canalside pubs and the entrance to the Macclesfield Canal at Harding’s Wood Junction before navigating through the Cheshire Locks. Join onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union at Middlewich Junction, cruise across the small aqueduct, crossing over the River Weaver below. Once at Barbridge Junction head southeast to Hurleston Junction to the entrance of the Llangollen Canal. Cruise the length of the Llangollen Canal, crossing over the UNESCO Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to the town of Llangollen, where you can turn in the basin for the return journey back to base.
