Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Middlewich and Return – 27 miles, 22 locks, 14.5 hours total
Begin your journey by heading north on the Llangollen Canal from the Swanley Bridge Marina. Cruise through the Hurleston Locks to Hurleston Junction and join the mainline of the Shropshire Union. Continue north 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 Swanley Bridge.
Intermediate route: Whitchurch and Return – 23 miles, 30 locks, 16.5 hours total
Depart the marina and cruise south down the Llangollen Canal, the scenery is very pretty along this stretch with a couple of locks and a small road bridge. There is a waterfront pub just before the locks, if you fancy stopping off to get some refreshment before navigating the Grindley Brook Staircase Locks or there is a cafe further down for a tea or ice cream - depending on the weather! After successfully navigating your way through the staircase, you re-enter leafy green countryside until you pass under a lift bridge onto the Whitchurch Arm. There are moorings towards the end of the arm and from here it is approximately a ½ mile walk into the town. St Alkmund's Church, built in 1713, is located in the town at the top of the hill. The town is also quite interesting, with old houses from all periods and narrow streets to explore as well as plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from for your evening meal. You can turn around at the end of the arm to make your way back to Swanley Bridge.
Active route: Chester and Return – 36 miles, 30 locks, 18.5 hours total
Travel north from the base through beautiful unspoilt countryside and cruise through the locks to Hurleston Junction. Join the Shropshire Union Canal and head north, cruising past 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. 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 the marina.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Lymm and Return – 81 miles, 26 locks, 35 hours total
Cruise north from the base through the locks to Hurleston Junction. Continue 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 – 75 miles, 64 locks, 39 hours total
Cruise north up the Llangollen Canal to Hurleston Junction. The northern stretch of the Llangollen Canal offers picturesque countryside views and historic churches. Once at Hurleston Junction head south, passing under a bridge which leads you to wide open green fields as you travel towards Nantwich. Nantwich is an interesting traditional Cheshire town with black & white timber buildings and various cafes and restaurants available just a short walk from the bridge. For something slightly different, visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker located near bridge 85. Continue cruising south through hedge lined farms to Audlem, where the lock free stretch ends. There are a couple of waterfront pubs, and opportunities to pick up food provisions before making your way through the flight of 15 locks to Market Drayton. Market Drayton is an attractive town and is said to be the home of gingerbread. Departing Market Drayton, continue your southerly cruise over two small aqueducts and through the five Tyrley Locks. The scenery is ever changing along this stretch, at Woodseaves the canal flows through deep rock cuttings which then leads to open farmland occasionally interrupted by a waterfront pub. Use the Brewood visitor moorings and walk into the village to visit Speedwell Castle, the grade II listed 18th century red-bricked building is located directly in the market square. In the village you will also find several traditional pubs and an Indian restaurant. Turn at Brewood to start your journey back to base.
Active route: Llangollen and Return – 85 miles, 34 locks, 42 hours total
One of the most popular routes on the UK canal network. Cruise west from the base at Swanley Bridge and travel through the Swanley Locks. Carry on through green Cheshire countryside and climb through the Baddiley locks en route to Wrenbury, which is a nice place to visit. Moor by bridge 19 for a short walk into the village where you will find a 14th Century church, pubs and stores. Go through Grindley Brook Locks (staircase) and cruise to Whitchurch; moor up along the Whitchurch Arm to visit the town. Stop at the village of Ellesmere to look around and shop or eat out, then continue past Frankton Junction, where you will find the entrance to the Montgomery Canal. Cruise through just two more locks at New Marton and past some canalside pubs on your way to Chirk. Cruise across the impressive Chirk Aqueduct and through 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 and has now been named a 'World Heritage Site'. Continue through the Vale of Llangollen (one-way boat traffic) until you reach the basin at Llangollen. Moor here to visit numerous attractions such as The Llangollen Steam Railway, the Horseshoe Falls or Dinas Bran Castle. Turn at the basin for the journey back to Swanley Bridge Marina.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Four Counties Ring – 113 miles, 102 locks, 63 hours total
The Four Counties Ring offers boaters an unforgettable journey through the counties Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and West Midlands. Travel north from the base through beautiful unspoilt countryside and cruise through the locks to Hurleston Junction. Join the Shropshire Union Canal and head south past Nantwich 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 to Hurleston Junction and join onto the Llangollen Canal, returning your boat to the marina. This route is also achievable in a 10/11 night holiday.
Intermediate route: The Cheshire Ring – 122 miles, 108 locks, 66 hours total
Start your journey cruising north onto the Shropshire Union Canal and then onto the Middlewich Branch, where the scenery is dominated by fields and rural views. At the Middlewich Junction head south east to complete the 'Cheshire Locks' first. There is then a couple of waterfront pubs to stop off for some refreshment at Hardings Wood Junction. Returning to your boat, navigate over the Poole Aqueduct and Red Bull Aqueduct onto the Macclesfield Canal. The canal passes through green countryside lined with tall hills - providing a great opportunity to stretch your legs, there are footpaths to the east of bridge 85. This is a quiet stretch of the Macclesfield Canal; there are several bridges and only 12 locks at Bosley, making for a relaxed cruise. There are plenty of towns and villages in the area to explore including Oakgrove, Gawsworth and Congleton, with family based activities such as picnicking and bowling. Cruising onto the Peak Forest Canal you experience the Marple Aqueduct, the yard here is a hub of boating activities as well as an opportunity to stop for a meal. There are 16 locks at Marple and two tunnels, the canal then continues northward where the scenery becomes less rural, industrial buildings hinting that you are on the approach to Manchester. Ashton Canal passes through a very built up area with a consistent amount of locks, and Old Trafford can be seen to the south. As you leave the city centre behind onto the Bridgewater Canal the outlook becomes more rural with fields, the valley of the river Bollin and some Victorian factories. Stop off at Altrincham to take a walk round the market square with black & white timber buildings. Travel south to Lymm, with great views of the Pennines and access to a couple of pubs, fish & chips and stores. Make your way onto the Trent & Mersey Canal passing the Victorian Anderton Boat Lift to Middlewich, where you can cruise onto the Middlewich Branch and back on the Llangollen Canal to Swanley Bridge.
Active Route: The Four Counties Ring and Llangollen Canal – 199 miles, 136 locks, 106.5 hours total
The ideal cruise for the more experienced boater that likes to keep busy! From Swanley Bridge, head north on the Llangollen Canal to Hurleston Junction. Join the Shropshire Union and cruise through Nantwich 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.
