Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route (south): Brewood and Return – 23 miles, 2 locks, 10 hours total
An excellent route for complete beginners or for an almost lock-free route. Cruise south from Norbury Wharf along the high green Shelmore Embankment, with aqueducts and ‘stop gates’ at each end. After two bridges you arrive at the village of Gnosall which has canalside pubs and moorings (for first night). After Gnosall the Cowley Tunnel (81 yards) leads to a ‘deep cutting’ lined with pretty countryside and woodland. There are several small bridges dotting the canal until you reach a small aqueduct just before the village of Wheaton Aston, which has a canalside pub. The only lock on this route is south of the village, followed by the Stretton Aqueduct. Passing an attractive wharf, you soon arrive at the interesting town of Brewood (c. 1086 - ) with moorings after bridge 14. Continue south, turning just after Bridge 9, then return to Norbury.
Relaxed route (north): Market Drayton and Return – 22 miles, 10 locks, 10 hours total
An enchanting short break route through woodland and farmland to an historic market town. Cruising north, you reach iconic ‘High Bridge’ with its integral telegraph pole, leading to the green and woody Grub Street Cutting. The following bridge also has a very high arch, spanning across the ‘deep cutting’. Between here and Shebdon Aqueduct there are two canalside pubs, followed by the long, peaceful Shebdon Embankment. After Goldstone Bridge, the shallow and narrow Woodseaves Cutting appears with yet another high, arched bridge mid-way down. Then at Tyrley there are 5 locks (read the instructions) then 2 aqueducts, approaching Market Drayton (c. 1245 - ) home of ‘Gingerbread’. Walking from the canal to the town centre takes around 20 minutes but is well worth the effort; allowing you to see the pretty town centre with its half-timbered buildings, historic ‘Butter Cross’, shops, cafés and pubs. Turn just after bridge 63 and return to Norbury.
Intermediate route: Gailey and Return – 46 miles, 4 locks, 20 hours total
Cruise south from Norbury along the Shelmore Embankment and under two bridges before arriving at Gnosall which has canalside pubs and moorings (for first night). After Gnosall the Cowley Tunnel leads to a ‘deep cutting’ lined with pretty countryside and woodland. There are several bridges dotting the canal until you reach a small aqueduct and Wheaton Aston, which has a canalside pub. Then you have just one lock, followed by the Stretton Aqueduct. Passing a pretty wharf, you arrive at the town of Brewood (moorings after bridge 14). Continuing along the pretty tree-lined canal for 5 more miles you then arrive at Autherley Junction where there is a ‘stop-lock’. Turn left on to the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, cruising through a narrow ‘cutting’ towards the pub at Cross Green. The canal then meanders through countryside and over 2 aqueducts, passing the disused Hatherton branch. Gailey Wharf is identified by its very interesting, round toll-keeper’s watch tower. Here there is another pub just a short walk from the canal and a useful canal shop. Turn before the lock and return to Norbury.
Active route: Audlem Top Lock and Return – 35 miles, 50 locks, 21 hours total
Cruising north, you reach the iconic ‘High Bridge’ with its integral telegraph pole, leading to the green and woody Grub Street Cutting. The following bridge also has a high arch, spanning across the ‘deep cutting’. Between here and Shebdon Aqueduct there are two canalside pubs, followed by the long, peaceful Shebdon Embankment. After Goldstone Bridge, the shallow/narrow Woodseaves Cutting appears with yet another high, arched bridge mid-way down. At Tyrley there are 5 locks (read the instructions) followed by 2 aqueducts, approaching Market Drayton - home of ‘Gingerbread’. The centre of the town is a good 20 minute walk from the canal but offers some very interesting Tudor architecture and places of historic interest, such as the ‘Butter Market’ (dated 1824). Three miles further ahead there are 5 locks at Adderley, followed swiftly by 15 narrow locks leading to the village of Audlem and the iconic ‘Shroppie Fly’ pub. The village itself is rather pretty (walk in via bridge 78) with St. James’ church (c. 1278) overlooking the remains of another butter market (c. 1733). Turn after bridge 79 and return to Norbury.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Barbridge and Return – 54 miles, 54 locks, 29 hours total
Cruising north, you reach the iconic ‘High Bridge’ with its integral telegraph pole, leading to woody Grub Street Cutting. The following bridge also has a high arch, spanning across the ‘deep cutting’. Between here and Shebdon Aqueduct there are two canalside pubs, followed by the long, peaceful Shebdon Embankment. After Goldstone Bridge, the shallow/narrow Woodseaves Cutting appears with yet another high, arched bridge mid-way down. At Tyrley there are 5 locks (take care to read the signs). After Tyrley Locks it is easy cruising to Market Drayton visitors’ moorings next to Bridge 62, from which you can walk into the town itself. The centre of the town is a good 20 minute walk from the canal but offers some very interesting Tudor architecture and places of historic interest, such as the ‘Butter Market’ (c. 1824). Three miles ahead there are 5 locks at Adderley, followed swiftly by 15 locks leading to the village of Audlem and the iconic ‘Shroppie Fly’ pub, then its lock free until you get to Hack Green (with its ‘secret nuclear bunker’). Next you come to the town of Nantwich where there is an aqueduct and a boat basin. The main road under the aqueduct leads to the town centre - Nantwich has some lovely historic ‘timbered’ buildings and an excellent array of shops, pubs and restaurants. On the opposite side of the canal, you might like to walk to the Jacobean mansion ‘Dorfold Hall’ (c. 1616 – 1621). Leaving Nantwich, cruise over the cast-iron aqueduct and after a couple of miles you’ll reach Hurleston Junction (with the Llangollen Canal). Bypass the junction and continue north for just two more miles. Turn around at Barbridge junction (with Middlewich Branch) maybe stopping at the ‘Old Barbridge Inn’ for a meal, then return to Norbury.
Intermediate route: Kinver and Return – 61 miles, 46 locks, 34 hours total
Cruise south from Norbury along the Shelmore Embankment. After two bridges you arrive at Gnosall which has canalside pubs and moorings (for first night). After Gnosall the Cowley Tunnel leads to a ‘deep cutting’ lined with countryside and woodland. Bridges dot the canal until you cross a small aqueduct before Wheaton Aston, which has a canalside pub. There is then one lock followed by the Stretton Aqueduct. Soon you’ll arrive at the town of Brewood (c. 1086 - ) with moorings after bridge 14. Another series of brick bridges leads to Autherley Junction, where you find an ‘stop lock’ joining the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal. Turn right, cruising to Aldersley Junction, keeping to the right. Compton Bridge No. 59 and Wightwick Bridge No. 56 both have pubs within walking distance. There are 4 locks between Brewood and Wightwick Bridge, then a couple more between Dimmingsdale and Awbridge, before you reach the scenic 3-lock ‘Bratch’ Flight. The Bratch has an old Lock-Keeper’s Toll House, an historic bridge and old pumping station. After the Bratch, you pass through Wombourne followed by 3 locks and a low aqueduct, then on to Greensforge lock. From here to Stourton Junction there is one lock at Gothersley, next to the ruins of a roundhouse, followed by Stourton Aqueduct then the junction. Nearby Stewponey Wharf has an interesting octagonal toll office then, after just 2 more locks and a short tunnel, you arrive at the very pretty village of Kinver. There are a couple of pubs, some shops, a café and a fish & chip shop. The village is very historic and has some interesting features including ‘rock houses’ dating back to 1777 and a plaque recording a charter granted by Ethelbad in the year 736! Just after the village is another lock followed by a turning place; turn here and return to Norbury.
Intermediate route: Gas Street Basin (Birmingham) and Return – 64 miles, 52 locks, 33 hours total
Cruise south along the Shelmore Embankment and under two bridges before arriving at Gnosall which has canalside pubs and moorings (for first night). After Gnosall the Cowley Tunnel leads to a ‘deep cutting’ lined with pretty countryside and woodland. Small bridges dot the canal until you reach a small aqueduct then Wheaton Aston, which has a canalside pub. There is just one lock, followed by the Stretton Aqueduct, before passing a pretty wharf and arriving at Brewood (moorings after bridge 14). Continuing along the tree-lined canal for 5 more miles you arrive at Autherley Junction where there is a ‘stop-lock’. Turn right on to the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, taking the next left at Aldersley Junction and on to the Birmingham Main Line (Wolverhampton Level). Immediately, you are met with the 21-lock Wolverhampton Flight (anti-vandal key required for the locks) which leads into the heart of Wolverhampton near Mill Street Bridge, where there are moorings. Office buildings and warehouses overlook the canal as you cruise along and there are no other locks until you reach the 360 yard Coseley Tunnel and three locks at Tipton Green. The Main Line then straightens out and passes across some small aqueducts before reaching the Spon Lane locks. After three more locks at Smethwick the canal leads directly into the centre of Birmingham (Gas Street Basin) where you can visit such delights as the ICC, National Sealife Centre, Symphony Hall, Brindley Place and lots of restaurants, pubs and bars. Turn here and return to Norbury.
Active route: Chester and Return – 83 miles, 76 locks, 43 hours total
Follow the ‘Relaxed’ 7 night route (above) to Barbridge Junction, then continue north. On this section of the canal the locks are double width and can take two boats at a time. There are two ‘staircase locks’ at Bunbury, then 4 more leading past Beeston (pub & shop) with its nearby castle (c. 1337). At Bates Mill Bridge there is a canalside pub then the canals winds its way through the Cheshire Plain past Waverton and Rowton Moor to the lovely village of Christleton, where there are moorings (worth a visit). As you leave Christleton the towers and chimneys of Chester come into view. The canal descends through five slow-filling locks into the centre of Chester itself, with easy access to attractions such as the City Walls, Roman Amphitheatre, Chester Castle (c. 1069), Abbey Square Gateway (c. 1377) and the Race Course. Turn between Bridges 123D and 123E then return to Norbury. Note: It is best not to moor in central Chester at night, better to moor at Christleton.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Four Counties Ring (clockwise) – 110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours total
An excellent route with a bit of everything. Follow the ‘Relaxed’ 7 night route (above) to Barbridge Junction, then turn left, proceeding along the Middlewich Branch Canal. There are 4 deep locks, a couple of marinas and an aqueduct. To the far end of the Middlewich Branch is the Trent & Mersey Canal and the town of Middlewich. At the junction turn right, facing south. From here the canal climbs 4 locks before Wheelock then after two aqueducts you reach the Cheshire Locks. There are 23 locks between Wheelock and Hardings Wood Junction. The route passes under the Macclesfield Canal as it’s carried over the Trent & Mersey Canal along the Poole Aqueduct. Just south of Hardings Woods lies the 2926 yard (1.66 miles) Harecastle Tunnel (1770-1777) which has set opening hours depending on the time of year. Soon you reach Stoke-on-Trent, famous for its ‘potteries’ with their high chimney stacks, cobbled yard and big brick kilns. Stoke-on-Trent is quite built up and not particularly attractive, but very interesting. There are 9 locks before you reach the market town of Stone which has pubs and restaurants. There are 4 deep locks at Stone. South of Stone lies the Trent Valley which runs through woodland and meadows, with just one lock before Great Haywood Junction (with the Staffordshire & Worcs. Canal). Turn right under the towpath bridge, cruising west towards Stafford. Soon the canal arrives at ‘Tixall Wide’ then there are 5 locks before you reach the town of Penkridge. West of Penkridge are 5 locks followed by Gailey Wharf, identified by its round toll-keeper’s watch tower. Between here and Cross Green the canal passes the Hatherton Branch, then south of Cross Green is a narrow straight which leads to Autherley Junction with its ‘stop-lock’, which raises you on to the Shropshire Union Canal. Turn right, onto the Shropshire Union and follow lock-free canal to Brewood - an interesting village (moorings near bridge 14). Heading north, you pass over the Stretton Aqueduct, then through one lock before Wheaton Aston. There is a short tunnel just before Gnosall, then a clear run along the Shelmore Embankment, all the way back to Norbury Wharf.
Intermediate route: The Stourport Ring (clockwise) – 116 miles, 122 locks, 66 hours total
Another fantastic ring route. Follow the ‘intermediate’ 7 night route to Kinver (as above). South of the village there are two locks before Cookley Tunnel with Cookley Village above, followed by a third lock. The next lock is at Wolverley. Nearby are houses and caves crafted from the local sandstone rock which were once used as dwellings. Arriving at the outskirts of Kidderminster, famous for its carpet weaving, you’ll find a church with a turquoise clock face overlooking a lock that takes you under a busy roundabout in the centre of town. The canal moves through the suburbs then passes under two interesting bridges at Falling Sands. On the outskirts of Stourport the canal gets narrower, with more bends and bridges. Pubs, houses, tea rooms and shops overlook the canal, then there’s one last lock before you enter the Stourport ‘clock’ basin (c. 1770). This is an excellent place to stop and walk into the town; there are plenty of places to eat out or visit nearby. Take the staircase locks down onto the River Severn and turn south, bypassing the lovely village of Upton-upon-Severn en route. At Worcester, turn left at Diglis and onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There are 8 locks through Worcester, 6 locks at Offerton and then 5 more locks at Astwood, before you reach Stoke Prior. A long flight of 30 locks begins here, running through farmland and ending at Tardebigge. The lock-free canal then passes through 3 long tunnels and into central Birmingham via Bournville, where you find Cadbury’s World. At Gas Street you are within easy walking distance of lots of attractions including Symphony Hall, the National Sealife Centre, ICC and Brindley Place. Follow the Birmingham Main Line out of the city centre to Wolverhampton, where the 21-lock Wolverhampton Flight begins (you require an anti-vandal lock key here). Straight after the last of these locks you reach the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, turning right. At Autherley Junction turn left, under the bridge, where you join the Shropshire Union Canal once again and return to Norbury.
Active Route: Chester, Llangollen and Return – 172 miles, 118 locks, 90 hours total
Explore two of our loveliest canals in one cruise. Follow our ‘active’ 7 night route to Chester, then on your return past Hurleston Junction, turn right on to the Llangollen Canal. From here 4 locks rise upwards, passing Swanley Bridge Marina and through 5 further locks before you reach Wrenbury. There is a mechanical lift bridge here that requires a key (provided on your keyring). Between Wrenbury and Grindley Brook there are 7 locks. Grindley Brook is a 3-lock staircase flight with a lock-keeper in attendance. Soon you find the Whitchurch canal arm to your left, the town being a good 25 minutes’ walk away. Next you pass the Prees Branch, several lakes (or ‘Meres’) and a short tunnel (87 yards) before arriving at Ellesmere. Turn right for moorings and the town is within easy reach by foot. Ellesmere has a large supermarket, pubs and shops including a great family-run deli. Further west, the Montgomery Canal branches south from Frankton Junction - only partially restored and with limited times when the lock-keepers allow access. Continue west heading towards Chirk. Between Frankton and Chirk there are five canalside pubs, the last situated just before Chirk Aqueduct and tunnel (459 yards). Chirk Aqueduct (c. 1801) is quite stunning and has a railed walkway running alongside it (a good photo opportunity). Above the tunnel is a road leading to Chirk village and further along the canal is Chirk Marina (with visitors’ moorings) followed by Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards). The approach to the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (c. 1805) begins here. Just before the aqueduct is a lift bridge then you turn the corner and you’re there. Once you have passed across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct you come to Trevor where you make a sharp left-hand turn under a bridge and continue towards Llangollen. This next part of the waterway becomes very narrow indeed and at times is only wide enough for one boat, so you are advised to check for oncoming traffic before you proceed. Eventually the canal leads to Llangollen Basin which has visitors’ moorings. Llangollen is an attractive, traditional Welsh town, with the River Dee running through the centre. There is also a steam railway (c. 1862) from where you can take a scenic trip through the Valleys. Turn here and return to Norbury.
Suggested Guidebooks (click to purchase):
