Cruise through the English countryside, stopping off at sleepy villages with charming pubs on a boating holiday on the Shropshire Union Canal
The charmingly rural Shropshire Union Canal stretches from Autherley Junction near Wolverhampton in the South, to Ellesmere Port in the North. Affectionately referred to as “The Shroppie”, the canal covers 77 miles, including its 10-mile Middlewich Branch and quarter-of-a-mile long River Dee Branch.
There are 47 locks along the main line, four along the Middlewich Branch and three on the River Dee Branch. With long stretches with no towns for miles, the Shropshire Union Canal is great for getting close to nature.
The northern section is a wide waterway, running through the gently rolling Cheshire landscape. While the arrow-straight southern section features long embankments, cuttings and grand bridges, and fewer locks.
These deep mossy cuttings are atmospheric and full of wildlife, giving keen-eyed boaters the chance to spot the flashing blue of a kingfisher in flight, and other waterway wildlife.
Christmas canal boat holidays
Kevin Yarwood, Anglo Welsh’s canal boat hire base manager at Great Haywood in Staffordshire, describes the winter wildlife he sees on the canals and Christmas canal boat holiday options.
Here at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal, we offer canal boat hire all year round, including Christmas and New Year.
The canals are much quieter in the winter months and there are lots of historic canalside pubs with roaring log fires to enjoy along the way.
Popular canal barge holiday destinations from Great Haywood
The most popular winter cruise destination from Great Haywood is to travel south along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction. This peaceful 12-mile cruise through the Staffordshire countryside takes around five hours, passing through five locks.
Pubs to visit along the way the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge and The Old Peculiar in the village of Handsacre.
Once at Fradley, you can find refreshments at the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn.
Alternatively you can travel north along the Trent & Mersey Canal to the market town of Stone. Along the way you’ll pass The Saracens Head at Weston and The Greyhound at Burston.
Local attractions to visit
We are lucky to have a number of great attractions close to us at Great Haywood.
For example the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate, where the gardens lead right down to the canal, has some lovely Christmas events. You can visit the mansion where rooms are decorated to tell the story of a traditional Christmas Day, from 29 November to 23 December.
Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, once a royal hunting forest is also nearby. As well as the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre.
Both are wonderful havens for wildlife, with lots to see and do even in the winter months.
Winter wildlife on the waterways
We also still see plenty of wildlife on the canal here over the winter, especially woodland and hedgerow birds such as chaffinch, robins, blue and coal tits, jays, nuthatch, woodpeckers and our resident pair of swans. We feed the birds all year round, but of course it’s over the winter months that it’s most vital to do so. We provide nutritious wild bird seed, peanuts, fat balls and sesame seeds.
We are sometimes lucky enough to see otters from the River Trent coming up onto the canal to feed at night.
Canal boats available to hire this Christmas
We offer a range of canal boats for hire over the winter, from a cosy narrowboat for two to a family canal boat for 12. They all have central heating, hot water showers, comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchens, WiFi, TV and DVD players, so it’s always nice and warm on board. Our luxury boats ‘Curzon’ for four people and ‘Pegasus’ for six, also have multi-fuel stoves.
Cooking Christmas lunch on board a narrowboat
This year my wife and I will be cooking Christmas lunch aboard our narrowboat for our two children and two Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Cooking Christmas dinner on a canal boat isn’t that different to a normal kitchen, except you don’t have a huge amount of worktop space. And you need to be careful not to buy too big a turkey, as most ovens are slightly smaller on boats.
Christmas boat trips across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Cruise across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct this Christmas
This December, our ‘Little Star’ (‘Seren Fach’) trip boat will be offering skippered Christmas cruises with Santa across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the following dates:
Saturday 13 December 2025
Sunday 14 December
Saturday 20 December
Sunday 21 December
Monday 22 December
Tuesday 23 December
Wednesday 24 December
The 45-minute return trips will depart at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
These boat trips take you across the incredible 38-metre high UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, to experience amazing views across the Dee Valley.
Our knowledgeable team provides commentary on board, so you can learn more about the historical significance of the Llangollen Canal as you cruise gently along.
Hot drinks and snacks are available to purchase on board, and children will receive a free chocolate treat from Father Christmas on the trips running before Christmas Day.
Winter timetable
From 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, trips will only be on Saturdays and Sundays, and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 November to 19 December.
Trips will depart at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Group bookings are available during the week on request.
Prices
Adult tickets are £10 each, children (aged under 16) are £6. Family tickets for two adults and two children are £25 each.
Trips depart from Canal Wharf, Trevor, Llangollen LL20 7TT and can be booked in advance at Little Star Booking | Anglo Welsh Ltd, or call the bookings team on 0117 304 1122.
Tickets can also be purchased on the day, subject to availability.
***We’re sorry, but our online tickets are currently unavailable. Please give us a call on 0117 3041122, and we’ll be happy to assist over the phone.
Best October half term canal boat holidays
Top October half term canal boat holiday destinations
Set off for a family adventure afloat together this October half term.
You’ll be cosy aboard your very own floating holiday cottage, with all the key comforts of home, including hot water, central heating, well-equipped kitchens, showers, flushing toilets and WiFi.
Tuition is included in our hire boat rental and our holidays are pet friendly.
We’ve put together a guide to our top 6 narrowboat holiday destinations and spooktacular visits this October half term:
1. Take a Ghost Walk in Shakespeare’s Stratford
From our boat yard on the Stratford Canal at Wootton Wawen, it takes around six hours to reach Bancroft Basin in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. There, every Saturday at 7.30pm the award-winning Ghost Walk takes visitors on a tour around the haunted streets of Stratford-upon-Avon. The journey to Stratford and back from Wootton Wawen passes through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
2. Cruise to Llangollen to visit the magnificent Horseshoe Falls
Setting off from our base on the Llangollen Canal at Trevor in North Wales, it takes just two hours to reach moorings at Llangollen Basin. From there, you can explore this historic town nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, including the magnificent Horseshoe Falls. This 140 metre long weir structure was designed by Thomas Telford to feed water from the River Dee to the Llangollen Canal.
3. Navigate to Alrewas and the National Memorial Aboretum
On a 4-night break from Great Haywood you can cruise along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Alrewas and back. There you can moor up and walk to the National Memorial Aboretum, home to more than 400 memorials. Along the way, you’ll pass the beautiful Tixall Wide lake, Penkridge and Gailey with canalside pubs to enjoy. The journey from Great Haywood to Alrewas and back travels 26 miles, passes through 22 locks (11 each way) and takes around 15 hours.
4. Go on a ghost tour at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port
On a 4-night break from Bunbury in Cheshire, you can boat past Chester towards Ellesmere Port and go on an evening ghost tour at the National Waterways Museum on 31 October. Nestled in a historic 200-year-old dock designed by the legendary Thomas Telford, this museum is a treasure trove of rich history and ghostly tales. You can pre-book a mooring within the Museum that includes museum access. The journey from Bunbury to National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port and back travels 42 miles, passes through 24 locks (12 each way) and takes around 19 hours.
5. Explore 1,200 acres at Chirk Castle
On a 4-night break from Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can travel to Chirk and back. The journey to Chirk passes through just two locks and takes around eight hours. There you can moor up and walk to the National Trust’s Chirk Castle, which takes around 30 minutes. At Chirk Castle there are murder holes and medieval toilets in the Adam Tower to marvel at, richly decorated state rooms to explore and 1,200 acres to roam.
6. Take a ghost tour in Bath
From Bradford on Avon, it takes around four hours, passing through one lock, to reach moorings at Sydney Gardens in Bath. From there, you can explore this UNESCO World Heritage city and book a Ghost Tour. The tour takes visitors on a thrilling tour of Bath, discovering tales of murder, mayhem, witch burnings, hangings, medieval monks, duels and poltergeists.
Save up to £665 on all canal boat breaks during the October half term and get a Halloween treat.
Britain’s peaceful inland waterways provide the perfect staycation destination for 2026
Boating slowly through the countryside at just four miles per hour, watching out for wildlife, is a great way to relax. It’s free to moor up almost anywhere on Britain’s 3,000-mile network of navigable inland waterways. So you can stop off at canalside pubs, villages and waterside destinations along the way.
Book by 31 October 2025 and you can secure your 2026 holiday at 2025 prices with a £150 deposit, and receive a 10% early booking discount.
To celebrate our early booking offer, we’ve published a guide to our Top 9 canal boat holiday destinations for 2026:
1. Boat through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley
On a weekend break from Great Haywood you can cruise along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction and back. The journey takes you through a series of villages with historic pubs, including the Colliers pub at Rugeley and the Crown Inn at Handsacre. Places to explore along the way include Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. Once at Fradley, you can moor up to visit the Canalside Café, the Swan Inn and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.
The journey from Great Haywood to Fradley and back takes around 12 hours and passes through 10 locks (5 each way).
2. Cruise through the beautiful Bath Valley to Georgian Bath
On a weekend break from our canal boat hire base at Bradford on Avon, you can cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back. The route will take you through Bradford on Avon Lock and past English Heritage’s medieval Tithe Barn. You’ll cruise across the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts and then you’ll pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Boating on through the Bath Valley, you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and the American Museum at Claverton Manor. Next you’ll reach Bathampton and the iconic canalside George Inn. Soon after, you’ll reach Sydney Gardens where you can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre. There are many world-class attractions to explore in Bath, including the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent.
The journey to Bath and back from Bradford on Avon travels 18 miles, passes through two locks (one each way) and takes around seven hours.
3. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ in North Wales
On a week’s break from Trevor near Wrexham, you can travel along the Llangollen Canal to Whitchurch and back. You’ll begin your holiday crossing the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as ‘The Stream in the Sky’, which carries the Llangollen Canal 38 metres high above the Dee Valley. You’ll cross the border into England at Chirk, home of the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. Then you’ll pass through the picturesque town of Ellesmere, with woodland walks, castle remains, cycle trails and Boathouse café at the Mere. You’ll then cruise on through the beautiful Shropshire Lake District to Whitchurch, where you can moor up to explore this historic market town, with a great choice of places to eat out, including the award-winning Black Bear pub.
The journey from Trevor to Whitchurch and back takes around 25 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
4. Visit Shakespeare’s Stratford in Warwickshire
On a 3 or 4-night break from Wootton Wawen, you can navigate the Stratford Canal to Stratford-upon-Avon and back. You’ll cruise slowly through the Warwickshire countryside, crossing over the 105-metre long Edstone Aqueduct. At the top of the Wilmcote flight you can moor up and walk into the village, where you’ll find the Mary Arden Inn. Then you’ll travel down the flight, going through 16 locks in total before you reach Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford. There you can moor up and explore this world famous historic town, home of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
The journey from Wootton Wawen to Stratford-upon-Avon and back takes around 11 hours and passes through 34 locks (17 each way).
5. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire in West Yorkshire
On a week’s break from Silsden near Keighley, you can cruise through the Yorkshire countryside to Apperley Bridge and back. You’ll navigate through the famous Bingley Five Rise Locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Soon after you’ll pass close by to the National Trust’s magnificent East Riddlesden Hall, hosting family activities and trails during the school holidays. Next you’ll reach UNESCO World Heritage Saltaire, where Sir Titus Salt built beautiful Italianate buildings for his mills, and stone houses for his workers. Today Salt Mill is home to shops, restaurants and galleries, including the magnificent David Hockney Gallery. You can then cruise on to Apperley Bridge, where there’s a fish and chip shop and choice of pubs, including the Dog & Gun.
The journey from Silsden to Apperley Bridge and back takes around 20 hours and passes through 32 locks (16 each way).
6. Boat through the Shropshire countryside to Wrenbury
On a 4-night break from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to Wrenbury and back. The journey takes you along the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, transferring onto the mainline close to Whixall Moss nature reserve. There are two lift bridges on the Prees Branch and then another four to go through before you reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. Soon after Whitchurch, you’ll go through Grindley Brook locks and you can moor up just before Marbury Lock to walk into the village of Marbury, home of the Swan Inn. When you reach Wrenbury, you can moor up to explore the village, where the centre is a conservation area. There are walks to explore and the canalside Dusty Miller pub to visit.
The journey to Whitchurch and back from Whixall Marina travels 26 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 18 hours.
7. Travel up the famous Caen Hill flight and through the Vale of Pewsey
On a week’s break from Monkton Combe on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Somerset, you can cruise to Pewsey Wharf and back. The journey takes you through the Bath Valley and across the magnificent Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts. You’ll go through the historic market town of Bradford on Avon, passing by its medieval Tithe Barn. With the help of Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers, you’ll navigate up the famous 29 locks at Caen Hill at Devizes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Next you’ll cruise through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At Pewsey Wharf, you can follow the Pewsey Vale Trail and visit the Pewsey Heritage Centre and the Waterfront Bar & Bistro.
It takes around 44 hours to cruise from Monkton Combe to Pewsey and back, passing through 74 locks (37 each way).
8. Explore the ancient city of Chester
On a short break from Bunbury, you can cruise up the Shropshire Union Canal to the ancient city of Chester and back. The route takes you through the beautiful Cheshire countryside and past a series of canalside pubs, including the Shady Oak near Wharton’s Lock and the Cheshire Cat at Christleton. When you reach Chester, you can moor up close to Chester Cathedral to explore the city, including its famous Roman city walls and Chester Rows shops.
The journey from Bunbury to Chester and back takes around 14 hours and passes through 18 locks (9 each way).
9. Navigate to Warwick Castle for Britain’s greatest medieval experience
On a week-long holiday from Wootton Wawen, you can cruise to Warwick and back and visit Warwick Castle. The journey begins heading north along the Stratford Canal through the remains of the Forest of Arden. You’ll pass through the village of Lowsonford, with its Fleur de Lys pub. At Lapworth Junction you take the Lapworth Link and then turn right onto the Grand Union Canal. You’ll soon reach Rowington, home of the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub, and then you’ll boat through the 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel. Next you’ll come to the top of the flight of 21 locks at Hatton. The Hatton Locks Cafe and Hatton Arms pub are popular places to moor up for a break. In Warwick, moor at the Cape of Good Hope pub to visit Warwick Castle, where you can climb the ramparts, see the Kingmaker exhibition, great hall and state rooms, and take a tour of the castle dungeon.
The journey to Warwick and back travels 28 miles, passes through 76 locks (38 each way) and takes around 23 hours.
Use our Book Your Holiday grid at the top of the page to search availability and make a booking, or call us on 0117 304 1122.
Everyone making the booking will also be entered into a special prize draw to win a free short break in 2026.
To celebrate, we’ve published a guide to our best short breaks (three or four nights) and week-long breaks in October.
Our best short break canal boat holidays in October
Cruise through the Bath Valley to Bath
On a weekend break from our canal boat hire base at Bradford on Avon, you can cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and back. The route will take you through Bradford on Avon Lock and past English Heritage’s medieval Tithe Barn. You’ll cruise across the magnificent Bath stone Avoncliff and Dundas Aqueducts and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Boating on through the Bath Valley, you go through Claverton, home of the American Museum at Claverton Manor, and Bathampton, passing the iconic canalside George Inn. You can moor up at Sydney Gardens and it’s a 15-minute walk into Bath city centre, with world class attractions to explore, including the Roman Baths.
The journey to Bath and back from Bradford on Avon travels 18 miles, passes through two locks (one each way) and takes around eight hours.
Navigate the Llangollen and Montgomery canals to Crickheath Basin
On a four-night break from Trevor, you can travel by boat to Crickheath on the Montgomery Canal and back. The journey begins on the Llangollen Canal, cruising the 11-mile section designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll cruise across the Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts, and you’ll pass a series of canalside pubs, including the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank. When you reach Frankton Junction, you’ll transfer onto the Montgomery Canal, recognised as a Special Area of Conservation. There are canalside pubs at Owestry and Maesbury Marsh. You can turn the boat around at Crickheath Basin.
The journey to Crickheath Basin and back from Trevor travels 37 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 20 hours.
Boat through the Shropshire countryside to Wrenbury
On a four night break from Whixall, you can cruise along the Llangollen Canal to Wrenbury and back. The journey takes you along the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, transferring onto the mainline close to Whixall Moss nature reserve. There are two lift bridges on the Prees Branch and then another four to go through before you reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. Soon after Whitchurch, you’ll go through Grindley Brook locks and you can moor up just before Marbury Lock to walk into the village of Marbury, home of the Swan Inn. When you reach Wrenbury, you can moor up to explore the village, where the centre is a conservation area. There are walks to explore and the canalside Dusty Miller pub to visit.
The journey to Whitchurch and back from Whixall Marina travels 26 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 18 hours.
Navigate the Shropshire Union Canal to Audlem
From our Bunbury base, you can cruise through the Cheshire countryside to Audlem and back. You’ll pass the popular canalside Barbridge Inn at Barbridge Junction. At Nantwich you’ll cruise across the Nantwich Aqueduct, enjoying views across the historic town. After going through the two locks at Hack Green, you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. At the pretty village of Audlem, you’ll find the famous Shroppie Fly canalside pub next to Lock 13.
The journey to Audlem and back from Bunbury travels 23 miles, passes through four locks (two each way) and takes around nine hours.
Our best week-long narrowboat holidays in October
Navigate ‘The Shroppie’ to Market Drayton and Norbury
On a week’s break from Bunbury in Cheshire, you can cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal to Norbury and back. The journey will take you through the Cheshire countryside and across the Nantwich Aqueduct, with views across the town. At Hack Green locks, you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum, where kids can follow the Soviet Spy Mouse Trail. At Audlem, you can moor up to visit the canalside Shroppie Fly pub. When you reach historic Market Drayton, you can visit one of the many places to eat and drink, and sample the town’s famous gingerbread men. Continue cruising south, and after the five locks at Tyrley, you’ll cruise through the atmospheric Woodeaves Cutting, full of wildlife and vegetation. Next you’ll cross the Shebdon Aqueduct, before reaching Norbury Wharf and the canalside Junction Inn.
The journey from Bunbury to Norbury and back takes around 31 hours and passes through 58 locks (29 each way).
Travel up the famous Caen Hill flight and cruise through the Vale of Pewsey
On a week’s break from Bradford on Avon on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise to Pewsey Wharf and back. The journey takes you up the famous 29 locks at Caen Hill, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. You can moor up for a break at the historic market town of Devizes to visit the Wiltshire Museum, where gold from Stonehenge is on display. Next you’ll cruise through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At Pewsey Wharf, you can follow the Pewsey Vale Trail and visit the Pewsey Heritage Centre and the Waterfront Bar & Bistro.
It takes around 34 hours to cruise from Bradford on Avon to Pewsey and back, passing through 72 locks (36 each way).
Cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to Llangollen in the Welsh Mountains
On a week’s break from Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, you can cruise to the historic town of Llangollen and back. Along the way, you’ll travel through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere, with its beautiful Mere, castle remains, cycle trails and woodland walks. You’ll cross the border into Wales at Chirk and begin cruising the 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage site, including tunnels, lift bridges and the awesome Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. At the historic market town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, you can visit the famous Horseshoe Falls, the Llangollen Steam Railway and you can climb up to Castell Dinas Bran for amazing views.
The journey from Whixall to Llangollen and back takes around 24 hours and passes through four locks (two each way).
Sitting at the crossroads of two popular canals there’s a great choice of 7-night breaks from Great Haywood
Etruria and back (38 miles, 36 locks, 21.5 hours)
Cruise north from Great Haywood up the Trent & Mersey Canal through the Staffordshire countryside and wooded Trent Valley. You’ll pass through Hoo Mill Lock and Weston Lock. You can stop at Bridge 80 to visit Weston, where there’s a choice of pubs – the Saracen’s Head and The Woolpack. Next continue north through the quiet meadows of the Trent Valley. At Aston Bridge you’ll reach the outskirts of the historic market town of Stone. Famous for its annual food and drink festival, Stone has a great choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. Continue north from Stone towards the village of Barlaston, home to the canalside Plume of Feathers pub. At Trentham Lock, you can moor up to visit the Wedgwood Pottery Factory. Cruising on north you’ll soon reach the Festival Park Marina at Etruria, where there’s a choice of places to eat and shop, and the Etruria Industrial Museum and Waterworld indoor tropical amusement park to visit.
Drayton Manor Theme Park and back (48 Miles, 10 locks, 22 hours)
Head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal and pass through Haywood Lock. The National Trust’s Shugborough Hall is close by, with riverside gardens dotted with fascinating monuments and follies, once rumoured to offer a clue to finding the Holy Grail. Cruise past Little Haywood, with Red Lion and Lamb & Flag pubs. Cruise on past the Wolseley Bridge, with canalside Wolseley Arms pub and access to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. Continue on, now passing through Cannock Chase, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cross Brindley Bank Aqueduct and continue towards the historic town of Rugeley. You can walk into the town centre where you’ll find the canalside Colliers pub. You’ll go through the villages of Armitage and King’s Bromley, before reaching Fradley Junction. Here the Trent & Mersey Canal meets the Coventry Canal. There’s a Canalside Café and The Swan Inn (also known as ‘The Mucky Duck’) to visit, and you can enjoy spotting wildlife along the woodland trail and boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Transfer onto the Coventry Canal. Pass through the villages of Huddlesford (home of The Plough pub), Whittington (home of The Swan pub) and Hopwas (home of the Tame Otter country pub run by Vintage Inn) before reaching Fazeley Junction. Turn right and moor up between Tolson’s Footbridge and Coleshill Road Bridge. From there you can walk to Drayton Manor Park. Brewood and back (52 miles, 26 locks, 26 hours)
At Great Haywood Junction, join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and head west. You’ll pass over a small aqueduct before reaching Tixall Wide, a beautiful stretch of water where the canal widens. Cruise on through the Staffordshire countryside, passing the canalside Radford pub at bridge 98. Next you’ll reach the market town of Penkridge, where there are several shops and pubs, including The Boat and The Cross Keys. You’ll travel past Gailey Wharf and cruise on to Autherley Junction, head northwest, passing through the lock and join onto the Shropshire Union Canal. Enjoy a peaceful two hour lock-free cruise through the countryside to the historic village of Brewood. Walk into the village to visit Speedwell Castle in the market square and a choice of pubs, including The Oakley Arms and the Staffordshire Grill & Lion Hotel.
Leek and back (62 miles, 54 locks, 36 hours)
Follow the route to Etruria (see above) and transfer onto the Caldon Canal. Go through the Etruria Staircase Locks. You’ll cruise through Stoke-on-Trent. You can moor up at Bridge 8 to walk into Stoke-on-Trent and visit the Potteries Shopping Centre, Bridgewater Factory shop or the Repertory Theatre. Continuing on, the route becomes increasingly rural and you’ll pass the canalside Sportsman pub at Stockton Brook. At Hazelhurst Junction, take the Leek Branch. Travel across Hazelhurst Aqueduct and go through the 130yd Leek Tunnel to the winding hole at the canal terminus. Turn your boat and then moor up to walk into Leek. There are supermarkets and a choice of places to eat, including The Lazy Trout and The Reform Inn.
Market Drayton and back (95 miles, 38 locks, 42 hours)
Follow the route to Brewood (see above) and then continue heading north along the scenic Shropshire Union Canal. This lock-free stretch of canal takes you through Cowley Tunnel and past the Shropshire village of Gnosall with its Boat Inn and Navigation pubs. Next you’ll cruise high along the Shelmore Embankment on to Norbury, with its canalside Junction Inn. Soon after Norbury you’ll enter the Woodeaves Cutting, the longest cutting on the canal network at just under three kilometres long. The sides are 21 metres deep and it’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geological interest. The trees and vegetation in the cutting will give you the feeling of ‘forest bathing’. There are five locks at Tyrley and then you’ll arrive at the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Turn at Bridge 62 and then moor up to walk into the town and see the Tudor-framed buildings, historic market square and ‘Buttercross’.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Best autumn days out boating on the canals
Hire a canal boat for a great day out this autumn
We offer canal boat day boat hire from 6 of our bases, with prices starting at just £99 per day for up to 10 people.
Autumn is a great time to hire a canal boat for the day, when you can see the beautiful autumn colours in the trees and hedgerows that line our canals reflected in the water.
On a day out boating with family and friends, you can cruise through the countryside spotting wildlife along the way.
Tuition is included and our day boats are equipped with everything you need for a great day afloat, including a kettle, cooker, fridge and toilet.
Our day boats are family and pet friendly.
Here’s a guide to our top 6 day boat hire destinations this autumn:
1. Glide across ‘The Stream in the Sky’
On a day afloat from Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, you can cruise across to the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Chirk and back. As you cross, you’ll be 38 metres high above the Dee Valley with fantastic views of the autumn colours in the trees. You can stop to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank or the Poacher’s Pocket at Gledrid. The journey to Chirk and back takes around 5 hours.
2. Potter through the Warwickshire countryside to Lowsonford
From Wootton Wawen you can cruise north along the Stratford Canal to the village of Lowsonford and back. There you can moor up and visit the canalside Fleur de Lys pub, famous for its pies. The journey to Lowsonford and back takes 7 hours and there are 4 locks to go through each way.
3. Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley
From Great Haywood near Stafford, you can cruise to the historic market town of Rugeley and back. You’ll pass the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. And the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way, you can stop for a drink or a meal at the Wolseley Arms at Wolseley Bridge. Or book at table at The Colliers pub canalside in Rugeley. The journey to Rugeley and back takes 6 hours and there are 2 locks to go through each way.
4. Navigate through the Cheshire countryside to Nantwich
On a day out from Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley, you can cruise to Nantwich and back. The lock-free journey takes you past the canalside Old Barbridge Inn. And across the impressive Nantwich Aqueduct, with panoramic views across the town. The journey to Nantwich and back takes around 6 hours.
5. Travel slowly through the Shropshire countryside to historic Whitchurch
From Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, you can reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. You’ll pass the Hadley Farm Café along the way and there’s a good choice of places to eat in Whitchurch, including the Black Bear pub. The journey to Whitchurch and back takes around 5 hours, and there are 6 lift bridges each way.
6. Boat through the Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin
From Bradford on Avon, on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire, you can cruise through the wooded Bath Valley to Brassknocker Basin and back. Along the way you’ll pass over the magnificent Bath stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. You can stop for lunch at the canalside No.10 Cafe next to Avoncliff Aqueduct, or the Angelfish Cafe at Brassknocker Basin. The journey there and back travels 9 miles and takes around 4 hours. There’s just 1 lock to pass through each way.
You can book your summer day out boating online here or call us on 0117 304 1122.
