10-day and two week canal boat holidays from Great Haywood
You can complete the Black Country Ring or the Four Counties Ring on a longer break from our Great Haywood base near Stafford
The Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 42.5 hours)
This circuit cruises sections of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Birmingham Main Line, Coventry, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals. Highlights include: Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin; the 21 locks at Wolverhampton; and the peaceful waters at Tixall Wide.
At Great Haywood Junction, join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and head west. You’ll pass 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 pass Gailey Wharf. Turn at Aldersley Junction and then you’ll go through the Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line. It takes around three or four hours to go through the locks, then you’ll join the New Birmingham Main Line Canal, which will take you to Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham. Here you can moor up and explore the city, including nearby Brindleyplace with its Sea Life Centre, Mailbox Shopping Centre and great choice of waterside restaurants. You can also walk to other city centre attractions, including the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery with its wonderful collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Next you’ll join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, and you’ll go through a flight of 11 locks. At Fazeley Junction you’ll join the Coventry Canal, where it’s lock-free until Fradley Junction. Here there’s a Canalside Café and The Swan Inn to visit, and you can enjoy spotting wildlife along the woodland trail and boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. From Fradley, transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal and head north going through the historic town of Rugeley with its canalside Colliers pub. You’ll then pass through Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wolseley Bridge, with canalside Wolseley Arms pub and access to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. Next you’ll cruise past Little Haywood, with Red Lion and Lamb & Flag pubs. And then the National Trust’s Shugborough Hall is close by, with riverside gardens dotted with fascinating monuments and follies before returning to Great Haywood.
The Four Counties Ring (110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours)
This popular circuit takes you on an unforgettable canal boating journey through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire. Highlights include: the 2,670-metre long Harecastle Tunnel, the flight of 15 locks at Audlem, views of the Cheshire Plains and the Roman town of Middlewich.
Head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal to the old market town of Stone, travelling for five hours and passing through four locks. Along the way, the route passes the village of Weston, with The Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Next, canal boat holiday-makers can enjoy views of the imposing Sandon Hall, its 400 acres of rolling parkland, and Grade II* listed Pitt’s Column, erected in 1806 by the first Earl of Harrowby in memory of the great Prime Minister Pitt the Younger.
The canal then passes along the outskirts of Burston, where the family-run micro-brewery Greyhound pub is well worth the short walk to. On arriving in Stone, there are visitor moorings at Westbridge Park, opposite the Swan pub, and a little further along past the Star pub on the left. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire, with regular markets, a diverse choice of cuisine and annual Stone Food & Drink Festival. Continue north from Stone along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Stoke-on-Trent, first travelling through Meaford Locks, and past Neil Morrissey’s canalside Plume of Feathers pub at Barlaston. Just before Trentham Lock, you can stop to explore the World of Wedgwood, with a factory tour, afternoon tea in the Wedgewood tea room, woodland walks and award winning museum housing a UNESCO protected collection. Just under five miles later, after travelling through the Stoke flights of five locks, the canal reaches its junction with the Caldon Canal at Etruria, in Stoke-on-Trent. Here you can stop to visit the Etruria Industrial Museum, Spode Visitor Centre and the Waterworld indoor aqua park. Continuing north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll pass through the mighty one-and-three-quarter-mile long Harecastle Tunnel, re-emerging at Kidsgrove, and Harding’s Wood Junction, where the Macclesfield Canal meets the Trent & Mersey. Here you’ll meet the summit of ‘Heartbreak Hill’ – the series of 31 locks between Middlewich and Kidsgrove, that raise the canal 280ft up from the Cheshire Plains.
The next village is Rode Heath with its Royal Oak pub and Rode Hall, one of Cheshire’s most exquisite country houses. The South Cheshire Way crosses the canal at Lower Thurlwood Lock, one of a flight of three, then it’s the two Pierpoint Locks, and then there are two more at Hassall Green, just before the canal passes beneath the M6 motorway.
At Wheelock, where there’s a choice of pubs, including the canalside Cheshire Cheese, and eight more locks to negotiate. From Wheelock it’s a mile-long walk into the historic town of Sandbach, with regular markets, a Waitrose supermarket and plenty of places to eat and drink. Next there’s a three-mile break from locks as the canal winds round Ettiley Heath and the Sandbach Flashes, a group of 14 wetlands designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Four miles and another four locks on, the canal reaches the historic market town Middlewich, famous for its salt industry which dates back to medieval times. Here the Four Counties Ring route leaves the Trent & Mersey Canal, heading to Barbridge along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. This quiet waterway travels peacefully through the Cheshire countryside, with just four locks along its 10-mile length. Along the way, the Badger Inn at Church Minshull is a short walk from the canal.
After travelling for a further two miles to Barbridge Junction, with its Olde Barbridge Inn. Head south down the Shropshire Union Canal. The route passes over the Nantwich Aqueduct on the outskirts of Nantwich. Two rural miles later, there are two locks at Hack Green, close to the Secret Hack Green Nuclear Bunker, once one of the nation’s most secret defence sites, and now a fascinating museum. Three miles on at Audlem, you’ll pass the Shroppie Fly pub and Audlem Mill, selling canal gifts, crafts and the locally made Snugbury’s Jersey Ice Cream. Then the Audlem flight of 15 locks takes the canal 93ft downhill to a lock-free mile, before another flight of five locks at Adderley. Next you’ll travel through Betton Cutting, past Brownhills Wood before reaching the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Then there are five locks at Tyrley. After that, the canal is lock free for 17 miles, passing through a series of cuttings, embankments and villages with excellent pubs. Places to stop along this 17-mile stretch include: Goldstone Wharf with its Wharf Tavern pub; Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Loynton Moss Nature Reserve at Grub Street; the Old Wharf Tearoom at Norbury Junction; the Royal Oak at Gnosnall; and the Hartley Arms and Mottey Meadows Nature Reserve at Wheaton Ashton. There’s just one lock at Wheaton Ashton, then the route is lock-free again for eight miles, passing the Bridge pub at Brewood. Then you’ll go under the M54 motorway and pass close to Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve, before meeting Autherley Junction Stop Lock and the southern end of ‘The Shroppie’. You’ll then travel north up the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal back to Great Haywood.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
10-day and two week breaks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
On a longer boating holiday from Silsden you can cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Burnley or Wigan
Follow the week-long route to Foulridge Tunnel. Passage through the tunnel works on a traffic light system which allows each boat 20 minutes to get to the other end. A mile after the Foulridge Tunnel, you’ll encounter Barrowford Top Lock – a flight of seven – and begin your descent from the summit level, with views of old stone farms and distant mountains to enjoy. Soon after, Barrowford offers shops, fish & chips, restaurants and pubs, including The White Bear Inn. At the Pendle Heritage Centre you’ll find an exhibition on the famous Pendle Witches. There’s also a tea room overlooking the beautifully restored 18th century walled garden, the Pendle Art Gallery, and access to the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Pendle Hill. Continuing along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, you’ll enter the outskirts of the large industrial town of Burnley. The waterway was once the main artery for Burnley and its industries and the area around Bridge 130, known as the Weaver’s Triangle, is one of the best preserved 19th century industrial districts in the country. The three-quarters of a mile long Burnley Embankment, considered to be one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’, carries the canal 60 feet high across part of the town, offering boaters panoramic views. There are plenty of pubs in Burnley, including The Inn on the Wharf in a weaver’s warehouse, several art centres and the Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, now Britain’s only working 19th century weaving mill. Turn at Burnley Wharf.
Two-week routes from Silsden
Wigan and back (135 miles, 72 locks, 60 hours)
Follow the route to Burnley. After passing through Gannow Tunnel (559 yards long), the canal travels on through the Calder Valley and alongside the M65 motorway for a time. Hapton is the next village after Burnley, with its popular Hapton Inn. Then you’ll go through three swing bridges as the canal travels through neat green fields bordered by drystone walls, before reaching Clayton-le-Moors (a suburb of Accrington) three miles later. The canal now twists and turns on through Church, with the parish church of St James right on the banks of the canal, marking the central point of the canal. Just over a mile later, after more dramatic bends, the canal passes over the M65 using a concrete aqueduct, before arriving at Rishton, a small town that grew up around the cotton mills in the 19th century. There’s a choice of places to eat here, including Indian restaurants, fish & chips, The Rishton Arms and The Walmsley Arms.
Two miles on and the canal enters the outskirts of Blackburn, passing canopied wharves at Eanam, now converted for businesses and a pub. There’s plenty to do in Blackburn, including a visit to the cathedral with its striking 13ft sculpture of ‘Christ the Worker’ by John Hayward. The Museum & Art Gallery has a series of rooms demonstrating the development of the textile industry using full size working models. And there’s a choice of curry houses, including Thira Restaurant. It takes several hours to pass through Blackburn, but there are distant views of Darwen Hill and Witton Country Park to enjoy along the way. And everywhere there are mills, mainly redundant but a reminder of the town’s cotton history. A flight of six locks (the Blackburn locks) carry the canal nearly 55ft up on the western edge of town to 400ft above sea level with excellent views. The suburb of Cherry Tree is next, with a good range of shops and take-aways.
As the canal leaves Blackburn, it crosses a high embankment and then curls round a steep and thickly wooded valley. A mile later, the canal passes through the village of Riley Green with its excellent Royal Oak pub providing award-winning cask ales and a large menu of British pub food. Hoghton Tower is close by, a 16th century fortified hilltop mansion, noted for its dungeons, doll’s houses, picturesque gardens and magnificent banqueting hall. Just over a mile and a half later, now in a secluded wooded valley, the canal passes through Withnell Fold, a small estate village built to house workers at the canalside paper mills which once functioned there. On the opposite side of the canal is a nature reserve which has developed in the old filter beds and now provides habitats for waterlilies, dragonflies, newts and frogs. Just over a mile of beautiful scenery later, you’ll reach the top of the Johnson’s Hill flight of seven locks. The Top Lock pub is here and a boatyard with boaters’ facilities.
Soon after the canal travels under the M61 motorway and along the edge of Chorley, passing some large textile mills. The Prince of Wales pub is a short walk from Bridge 75A and The Lock & Quay. It’s also well worth visiting a bakery to try a Chorley cake, similar to the Eccles cake but sweeter and fruitier. Close to three wooded miles further, the canal reaches Adlington with a good range of shops, pubs, including The (Bottom) Spinners Arms, and a popular café at the White Bear Marina, Rivington. Here you can turn and head back to Silsden.
Sowerby Bridge & back (123 miles, 132 locks, 75 hours)
Cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Leeds and transfer onto the Aire & Calder Navigation to continue on to Sowerby Bridge in Calderdale, passing through Wakefield and Brighouse along the way.
Follow the week long route to Leeds. Then continue heading east along the Aire & Calder Navigation to Castleford Junction. There are lots of pubs in Castleford, including The Boat Inn, The Anchor and The Junction. Continue on, passing the Canal & River Trust’s Stanley Ferry Workshops where they make locks gates. The Stanley Ferry pub is canalside here. At Fall Ing Junction you’ll transfer onto the Calder & Hebble Navigation. You’ll go through Wakefield with its canalside Ruddy Duck and Navigation Inn and the waterside Hepworth Wakefield Gallery. The journey will take you on through Horbury, Shepley Bridge (The Ship Inn), Mirfield (The Navigation Tavern), Cooper Bridge, Brighouse (Jeremy’s at The Boat House and The Richard Oastler on Bethel Street), Elland (The Barge & Barrell), and Salterhebble (The Watermill). At Sowerby Bridge you can turn and then moor up to visit The Moorings pub and explore this historic market town in Calderdale.
Click here to book a canal boat holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Silsden, or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Week long breaks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
On a 7-night boating break from Silsden you can cruise the Leeds & Liverpool Canal west to Barnoldswick or east to Leeds
Barnoldswick and back (38 miles, 30 locks, 22 hours)
Travelling in the direction of Liverpool along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Silsden, you’ll first pass canalside warehouses, enjoying views of Airedale’s steep green hills. There’s a series of historic swing bridges along this section of the canal, each needing to be unlocked and lifted. Within two miles, the canal passes through the village of Kildwick, with its 17th century coaching inn, The White Lion.
Next you’ll continue along the valley of the River Aire, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Two miles later the village of Bradley has an excellent pub – the Slaters Arms, serving homemade food and real ale. A mile later, the route passes the Bay Horse pub at Snaygill, before reaching the outskirts of Skipton. Here a little arm (the Springs Branch) branches off the canal to moorings outside Skipton Castle. Dating back to 1090, this motte and bailey castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in England, and is well worth a visit. Skipton also offers visitors a range of places to eat, including The Yorkshire Rose pub, Royal Shepherd, French Bistro des Amis, Bean Loved coffee bar and Cock & Bottle pub. Heading west out of Skipton, you’ll travel a further three miles through the hills to Gargrave. There are three locks to pass through before reaching moorings and a winding hole in the centre of the village. Gargrave is on the River Aire on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where you can access 680 square miles of some of England’s finest walking country. In Gargrave there are plenty of pubs, including The Mason’s Arms. There are also shops and a post office.
After Gargrave you’ll cruise alongside the Yorkshire Dales with mountain views in the distance. At Bank Newton there are seven locks to travel through which take you up on to the Pennines. Two-and-a-half miles later you’ll reach East Marton you’ll find the Abbot’s Harbour Restaurant and a medieval church. After the three locks at Greenberfield you’ll reach Barnoldswick with a couple of large supermarkets within walking distance. There’s a choice of places to eat, including The Fountain Inn. The Pendle Way connects to the canal at Cockshott Bridge no. 152. Turn your boat at the winding hole just before Long Ing Bridge no.153.
Foulridge Tunnel & back (48 miles, 30 locks, 24 hours)
Follow the route above to Barnoldswick and continue on, soon reaching the canalside Anchor Inn at Salterforth. Next it’s Foulridge Wharf before the entrance to the 1.49km long Foulridge Tunnel. Passage through the tunnel works on a traffic light system which allows each boat 20 minutes to get to the other end. After the tunnel, you can turn around just after Wanless Bridge no.145 to head back to Silsden.
Apperley Bridge and back (27 miles, 32 locks, 20.5 hours)
It takes around 3.5 hours to reach the top of the Bingley Five Rise locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. These cavernous chambers raise (or lower) boats 18 metres. They open directly from one to another, with the top gate of one forming the bottom of the next. It takes around 1.5 hours to pass through and there are lock keepers on hand to help. On the way to Bingley from Silsden, you’ll pass through a series of swing bridges, Stockbridge and Riddlesden, with the National Trust’s East Riddlesden Hall not far from the canal. A few miles after Bingley, you’ll reach the UNESCO World Heritage town Saltaire, near Shipley. It was founded in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the woollen industry. Salt wanted his workforce to be healthier, happier and more productive, so he moved his five mills to a new green site away from the overcrowded town centre of Bradford. The mills were housed in beautiful Italianate buildings. And he built stone houses for his workers with community facilities, including a hospital, library, school and park. Today, Saltaire is a popular tourist destination with shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries, including the wonderful David Hockney Gallery. After Saltaire, you’ll go through Shipley with Ring O ’Bells pub and Waterside Restaurant & Bar. Five miles later you’ll reach Apperley Bridge, with a fish and chip shop and choice of pubs including The Stansfield and Dog & Gun. There’s also at café at the marina.
Leeds and back (44 miles, 54 locks, 32 hours)
Follow the route to Apperley Bridge and continue following the Aire Valley to Leeds. You’ll pass through Rodley, home to the Canalside Rodley Barge pub, The Railway Inn and The Owl Inn. Soon after you’ll reach the canalside Abbey Inn and the three locks at Newlay. Less than a mile later you’ll go through Forge three locks and then you’ll reach Kirkstall with Cistercian Abbey ruins and Abbey House Museum. The canalside West End House pub is next to Wyther Bridge no.223. Cruise on into the vibrant waterside city of Leeds, and moor up in Leeds Dock. From there you can visit the waterside Royal Armouries Museum and walk to visit the Victorian shopping arcades and many great places to eat out.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
10-day and two week breaks from Wootton Wawen
On a longer boating break from Wootton Wawen you can complete the Warwickshire Ring or the Avon Ring
The Warwickshire Ring (128 locks, 59 hours)
This circuit offers a great mix of rural and urban stretches. It travels sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals. Highlights include: the flight of 11 locks into Atherstone; the pretty canal village of Braunston; the awesome flight of 21 locks at Hatton; and Warwick Castle.
Head north up the Stratford Canal from Wootton Wawen, passing through two locks at Preston Bagot, with a barrel roof cottage at lock number 37. Next the canal passes close to the tiny hamlet of Yarningdale Common, with another barrel roof cottage at lock 34 and the Grade II* listed Yarningdale Aqueduct. At the village of Lowsonford, the canalside Fleur de Lys pub is well worth a visit, renowned for its home-made pies. Several locks, barrel roofed cottages and miles later, the canal passes beneath the noisy M40 motorway. After another five locks you’ll reach Lapworth junction where you can take the Lapworth link to connect onto the Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Junction.
To travel clockwise around the ring, turn left and head north. The Heart of England Way meets the canal here at Kingswood Bridge, and it’s just over a miles walk to the National Trust’s Baddesley Clinton stunning moated manor house in the heart of the Forest of Arden from here. Soon after, the canal passes the Black Boy and King’s Arms pubs at Heronfield, and then reaches the Knowle flight of five wide locks, which raise the canal by 12.5 metres. The town of Knowle is a short walk away, with a supermarket and choice of pubs.
Soon after, the canal passes beneath the M42 motorway, and continues north past the Boat Inn at Catherine de Barnes, before entering the urban outskirts of Birmingham at Solihull. Six miles later, you’ll reach the six locks at Camp Hill and then Bordesley Junction. From here it’s just half a mile to moorings at Typhoo Basin, close to Warwick Bar in the centre of Birmingham.
There’s so much to do in Birmingham – theatres, art galleries, museums, concert halls, restaurants and shops, but the City’s award-winning Thinktank Science Museum, with its exciting Spitfire and Marine Worlds galleries, is close by. Next turn back to Bordesley Junction and head up the Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal, which connects with the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Salford Junction. From there begin heading east, still in a very urban environment for another four miles until the Hare & Hounds pub at the bottom of the Minworth flight of three locks.
Now back in the countryside, the route passes the White Horse at Curdworth, where the Curdworth flight of 11 locks starts. The Dog & Doublet pub is next to Lock 9 of the flight and there are moorings soon after, with access to Kingsbury Water Park, offering 600 acres of country park to explore. The Heart of England Way follows the line of the canal here for several miles and passes the RSPB’s Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve, great for a spot of birdwatching. Fazeley is next with its choice of pubs – the Plough and Three Tuns, plus a short bus or taxi ride to Drayton Manor Theme Park if you fancy a change of pace!
The Coventry Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal here, taking you east through Tamworth to Alvecote with its Samuel Barlow pub, the ruins of Alvecote Benedictine Priory and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Alvecote Pools nature reserve. Now heading south, the canal passes beneath the M42 and past the Pooley Visitor & Heritage Centre, displaying mining memorabilia and offering waymarked paths around woodland and spoil heaps.
Then it’s on through the village of Polesworth, a good place to stop and re-stock with shops, and Bulls Head, Red Lion and Royal Oak pubs. The canal becomes very rural for a while, passing Hoo Hill obelisk which marks the site of the Chapel of Leonard at Hoo, demolished in 1538 by Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Atherstone is the next town, with a flight of six locks, choice of shops and pubs, including the Kings Head. The canal continues south, lock-free for the next 11 miles. The Anchor at Hartsmill is the next canalside pub you’ll pass.
Soon after the canal becomes more urban again as it winds its way through Nuneaton, before meeting its junction with the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal at Bedworth. Two miles later, the Coventry Canal meets the North Oxford Canal at Hawkesbury Junction, where you’ll head south down the Oxford Canal. The route soon passes under the M69 motorway and through the pretty village of Ansty, with its Rose & Castle pub. Three miles later, it’s worth stopping at Brinklow to visit the remains of Brinklow Castle, a Norman earthwork motte and bailey fortress, and Brinklow Arches to the south of the village, a canal aqueduct built during the Imperial Period. There’s a number of pubs in the village, including The Raven and White Lion.
The canal then passes through the 186-metre long Newbold Tunnel, past the Barley Mow and Boat pubs, becoming more urban again as it travels through the town of Rugby. Next you’ll reach the Bell & Barge pub and Tesco store at Brownsover, and then the village of Hillmorton, with its flight of three locks, plus Old Royal Oak and Stag & Pheasant pubs.
After Hillmorton, the canal cuts through open countryside again, and is lock-free to the Braunston Turn, where the Oxford Canal merges with the Grand Union Canal. The historic village of Braunston, in the heart of the canal network, is a great place to stop with a marina, boatyard, fish and chip shop, and plenty of pubs including the canalside Admiral Nelson.
Eleven miles and nine locks later, the canal reaches Napton Junction where the Oxford Canal splits off and heads south. Continue along the Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham, soon reaching the three locks at Calcutt. The next two miles are on one level until the route reaches Stockton Top Lock, the peak of a flight of 13 locks taking the canal to the village of Long Itchington. There’s a choice of pubs here, including the Duck on the Pond and The Green Man. The next four miles remain rural and just before Leamington Spa, the canal passes by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Lea Valley Nature Reserve.
There are plenty of visitor moorings in Royal Leamington Spa, giving you the chance to enjoy some of this historic spa town’s attractions, including its impressive Georgian and Edwardian architecture, Royal Pump Rooms Museum, Loft Theatre, Welches Meadow Nature Reserve, and choice of shops and restaurants.
Next it’s the beautiful country town of Warwick, with its jaw-dropping medieval castle on the banks of the River Avon. Dating back to William the Conqueror, Warwick Castle offers a fantastic day out with ramparts to climb, birds of prey and trebuchet firing displays, landscaped gardens, Castle Dungeon and daily history team tours.
Warwick itself has a vibrant market place hosting a variety of shops, pubs and cafes and a thriving Saturday market, as well as a popular racecourse. Warwick’s many museums include: the Yeomanry Museum; Lord Leycester Hospital Museum; Queen’s Own Hussars Museum & Master’s Garden; St John’s House Museum; and Warwickshire Museum.
Heading out of Warwick, you’ll soon encounter Hatton Bottom Lock and the start of the epic Hatton Flight of 21 locks, traditionally known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, which raises boats up by nearly 45 metres along a two mile stretch of the canal. Just below the Top lock, you’ll find the Hatton Locks Café. It’s another four miles back to Lapworth from Hatton, passing through the Shrewley Tunnel and Rowington cutting, before heading back down the Stratford Canal to Wootton Wawen.
The Avon Ring (109 miles, 131 locks, 61 hours)
This epic ring navigates sections of the Stratford Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The journey will take you to Shakespeare’s Stratford, the charming historic town of Evesham, the Cotswold medieval town of Tewskesbury, the City of Worcester with its stunning cathedral and the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge.
Head south along the Stratford Canal, past the canalside Navigation Inn. Soon after you’ll go through a lock and then you’ll cross over the 105-metre long Edstone Aqueduct, with lovely views across the Warwickshire countryside. You can moor up north of Bridge 59 and take a ten minute walk into Wilmcote. The village is home to the Mary Arden Inn and Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Go through the Wilmcote Flight of 11 locks, beginning your descent downhill into Stratford-upon-Avon. There are five more locks before you reach Bancroft Basin in the heart of Shakespeare’s Stratford. This world-famous town has plenty of places to eat, shop and visit, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm. Transfer onto the River Avon (you’ll need an additional licence from The Avon Navigation Trust).
You’ll reach the village of Welford-on-Avon and riverside pub at Binton Bridges. Continue cruising through the Warwickshire countryside and next you’ll reach Bidford-on-Avon. The seven arched medieval bridge at Bidford dates from 1482. Look out for signage, as only one of the arches is suitable for boats to pass through. There’s a good choice of pubs at Bidford, including the Bulls Head. The Bridge at Offenham is worth a stop. The next place you’ll reach is Evesham, with its famous abbey and plenty of pubs and cafes. Moor up near Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to explore this historic market town. You’ll go through the historic village of Fladbury next, with a choice of pubs including The Chequers Inn.
Continue on cruising through the Worcestershire countryside to the village of Wyre Piddle and its Anchor Inn. Next you’ll reach Pershore, one of the finest market towns in Worcestershire. There are lots of places to eat and shop, and a magnificent abbey to explore. Two bridges span the River at Pershore, including the Old (Great) Bridge built in the 14th century. Continue meandering through the countryside past Tiddesley Wood. The Shakespeare’s Avon Way follows the river for a while between Eckington Bridge and Strensham Lock. You pass through Bredon next with the National Trust’s Bredon Barn and a choice pubs. Continue on past Twyning Green with its riverside Fleet Inn. Cruise under the medieval King John’s Bridge and into the historic market town of Tewkesbury with its 12th century abbey, half-timbered buildings and historic pubs.
At Tewkesbury, you’ll transfer onto the River Seern, Britain’s longest river. You’ll pass through Upton upon Severn where there’s a marina and shops. Then the village of Kempsey with a choice of pubs, including the Crown Inn and Anchor Inn. At Worcester you’ll transfer onto the the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Diglis Basin. You’ll soon reach the Tardebigge Flight of 30 locks, the longest in the country. You can break up the journey through at the Queen’s Head pub at Stoke Wharf.
Once you’ve completed the Tardebigge flight, go through the 560-metre long Shortwood Tunnel. There’s a choice of canalside pubs at Alvechurch. The Weighbridge put at Alvechurch Marina and the Crown pub. You’ll pass the Hopwood House pub at Hopwood and then you’ll go through the 2,493-metre long Was Hill Tunnel.
At Kings Norton Junction you’ll transfer onto the North Stratford Canal. You’ll go through the 321-metre long Brandwood Tunnel and then the Horseshoe pub is canalside at Kings Heath. Pass through Hockley Heath where you’ll find The Wharf pub, fish & chips, a Chinese take-away and a Co-op store nearby. You’ll go through 14 locks at Lapworth and then you’ll be on the South Stratford Canal. The canalside Fleur de Lys pub at Lowsonford is well worth a visit. Next you’ll go through the tiny hamlet of Yarningdale Common, with a barrel roofed cottage at lock 34. At Preston Bagot there’s another barrel roof cottage at lock number 37. Soon after you’ll be back at Wootton Wawen.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Week long breaks from Wootton Wawen
On a week’s boating break from Wootton Wawen you can complete the Birmingham Mini-Ring or visit Stratford-upon-Avon and Tewkesbury
Warwick & back (28 miles, 76 locks, 23 hours)
Cruise north though the Warwickshire countryside and remains of the Forest of Arden. There’s a pretty barrel roof cottage next to lock no.37 built by engineers more accustomed to building bridges than houses who adapted the techniques they knew best to house the men who worked on the canal. There’s another barrel roof cottage at lock 34 in the tiny hamlet of Yarningdale Common and the Grade II* listed Yarningdale Aqueduct. Continue meandering through the countryside before reaching the village of Lowsonford, with its canalside Fleur dy Lys pub, famous for its pies. Soon after, the canal passes beneath the M40 motorway. At Lapworth junction you take the Lapworth link to connect onto the broad Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Junction. The Heart of England Way connects to the Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Bridge no.65, next to the Navigation Inn. From there it’s a short walk to the National Trust’s Baddesley Clinton house. Continue cruising along the Grand Union Canal towards Warwick through steeply wooded hills and 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel. Next you’ll encounter the Hatton Flight of 21 locks. Traditionally known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, the Hatton flight raises boats up by nearly 45 metres along a two mile stretch of the canal. In Warwick, moor at the Cape of Good Hope pub where the moorings are free. You can turn around above the lock next to the pub.
The Birmingham Mini Ring (48 miles, 84 locks, 33 hours)
With more canals than Venice, exploring the Birmingham area by boat is one of the best ways to experience Britain’s vibrant second city. The Birmingham Mini Ring circuit takes in sections of the Worcester & Birmingham, Birmingham Main Line and Grand Union canals. Highlights include: the historic village of Bournville, home of Cadbury’s chocolate; Gas Street Basin in central Birmingham; and the flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge.
Cruise north along the Stratford Canal from Wootton Wawen though the Warwickshire countryside and remains of the Forest of Arden. There’s a pretty barrel roof cottage next to lock no.37 built by engineers more accustomed to building bridges than houses who adapted the techniques they knew best to house the men who worked on the canal. There’s another barrel roof cottage at lock 34 in the tiny hamlet of Yarningdale Common and the Grade II* listed Yarningdale Aqueduct. Continue meandering through the countryside before reaching the village of Lowsonford, with its canalside Fleur dy Lys pub, famous for its pies. Soon after, the canal passes beneath the noisy M40 motorway.
At Lapworth junction you take the Lapworth link to connect onto the broad Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Junction. The Heart of England Way connects to the Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Bridge no.65, next to the Navigation Inn. From there it’s a short walk to the National Trust’s Baddesley Clinton house. Cruise north along the Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham. The King’s Arms at Heronfield is canalside before you reach the Knowle flight of locks.
Continue on through the countryside, passing under the M42 motorway before reaching the Boat Inn at Catherine de Barnes. Pass through Solihull and the outskirts of Birmingham. Go down the Camp Hill locks and you’ll reach Bordesley Junction. Continue past Typhoo Basin, through Ashsted Locks to Aston Junction. Turn onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and go through the Farmer’s Bridge Locks. At Farmer’s Bridge Junction, turn to moor up in Gas Street Basin, giving easy access to Brindleyplace and city centre attractions. Carry on down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal through Edgaston Tunnel, close to Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens.
Soon after you’ll go through Bournville and Cadbury World. Transfer onto the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton Junction, via the famous guillotine lock, and then go through Brandwood Tunnel. It’s quiet and rural here and once past the Wharf Inn at Hockley Heath, you aren’t far from the National Trust’s Packwood House. Go through the Lapworth Locks and you’ll be back at Lapworth Junction. Head back down the Stratford Canal to Wootton Wawen.
Stratford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury and back (99 miles, 68 locks, 45 hours)
Head south along the Stratford Canal, past the canalside Navigation Inn. Soon after you’ll go through a lock and then you’ll cross over the 105-metre long Edstone Aqueduct, with lovely views across the Warwickshire countryside. You can moor up north of Bridge 59 and take a ten minute walk into Wilmcote. The village is home to the Mary Arden Inn and Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Go through the Wilmcote Flight of 11 locks, beginning your descent downhill into Stratford-upon-Avon. There are five more locks before you reach Bancroft Basin in the heart of Shakespeare’s Stratford. This world-famous town has plenty of places to eat, shop and visit, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm. Transfer onto the River Avon (you’ll need an additional licence from The Avon Navigation Trust).
You’ll reach the village of Welford-on-Avon and riverside pub at Binton Bridges. Continue cruising through the Warwickshire countryside and next you’ll reach Bidford-on-Avon. The seven arched medieval bridge at Bidford dates from 1482. Look out for signage, as only one of the arches is suitable for boats to pass through. There’s a good choice of pubs at Bidford, including the Bulls Head. The Bridge at Offenham is worth a stop. The next place you’ll reach is Evesham, with its famous abbey and plenty of pubs and cafes. Moor up near Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to explore this historic market town. You’ll go through the historic village of Fladbury next, with a choice of pubs including The Chequers Inn.
Continue on cruising through the Worcestershire countryside to the village of Wyre Piddle and its Anchor Inn. Next you’ll reach Pershore, one of the finest market towns in Worcestershire. There are lots of places to eat and shop, and a magnificent abbey to explore. Two bridges span the River at Pershore, including the Old (Great) Bridge built in the 14th century. Continue meandering through the countryside past Tiddesley Wood. The Shakespeare’s Avon Way follows the river for a while between Eckington Bridge and Strensham Lock. You pass through Bredon next with the National Trust’s Bredon Barn and a choice pubs. Continue on past Twyning Green with its riverside Fleet Inn. Cruise under the medieval King John’s Bridge and into the historic market town of Tewkesbury with its 12th century abbey, half-timbered buildings and historic pubs. Turn just before Avon Lock.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
10-day and two week breaks from Whixall
On a longer boating break from Trevor or Whixall you can cruise to Chester and back or complete the Four Counties Ring
Start your journey through breath-taking scenery by cruising along past Whixall Moss nature reserve and connecting to the mainline of the Llangollen Canal. Head east to the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. There’s a good choice of places to eat, including the award-winning Black Bear. After Whitchurch, you’ll pass through the Grindley Brook Staircase of Locks with lockside café and stores and then you’ll reach Wrenbury. The centre of the village is a conservation area with a range of historic houses and the 16thcentury St Margaret’s Church overlooking the village green. There is a Post Office with general stores and two pubs, the canalside Dusty Miller in a converted corn mill, and The Cotton Arms.
Cruise on through the Shropshire countryside, then pass through four locks at Hurleston, before reaching Hurleston Junction. Here the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. Cruise on through the countryside, passing through Bunbury Locks. Soon after you’ll reach Beeston. You can moor-up just below Wharton’s Lock and walk half-a-mile to English Heritage’s Beeston Castle & Woodland Park, one of the most dramatic ruins in the English landscape.
Continuing along, soon after Wharton’s Lock, you’ll see the canalside Shady Oak pub and two miles later, the Famous Cheshire Ice Cream Farm at Tattenhall is a short walk from the canal. The canal becomes less rural and you’ll pass through Waverton, and the site of the Battle of Rowton Moor (one of the last major battles of the English Civil War). Then you’ll travel through Christleton, with its Cheshire Cat canalside pub and the Ring ‘o’ Bells pub in the village. You’ll then climb up five more locks and pass the Lead Shot Tower site, where during the Napoleonic Wars musket shot was produced by dropping molten lead balls from a height, to form spheres as they fell into a vat of water at the bottom. Once you reach the ancient City of Chester, there’s so much to explore, including the City’s Roman Amphitheatre, Museum, City walls, River Dee, Chester Rows, Shops, Chester Cathedral built in 1541, St Johns, Chester Castle, and racecourse. Turn close to Chester Ring Road Bridge No.123D.
The Four Counties Ring (137 miles, 132 locks, 86 hours)
Once you reach the Llangollen Canal mainline, head east through the Shropshire countryside towards Whitchurch. The Shropshire Way crosses the canal at Sparks Bridge no.35, close to the remains of Pan Castle. Next you’ll reach the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. Look out for half-timbered buildings, fair trade independent shops and restaurants. There’s a good choice of pubs, including the award-winning Black Bear.
Continue on through the Shropshire countryside, passing through the Grindley Brook Staircase of Locks with lockside café and stores and then you’ll reach Wrenbury. The centre of the village is a conservation area with a range of historic houses and the 16thcentury St Margaret’s Church overlooking the village green. There is a Post Office with general stores and two pubs, the canalside Dusty Miller in a converted corn mill, and The Cotton Arms.
Continue on to Hurleston Junction and head southwest on the Shropshire Union Canal past Nantwich. The historic market town of Nantwich was once the centre of the salt mining industry, which you can find out more about at the Nantwich Museum. Nantwich has a great choice of places to eat, including the Wickstead Arms and Loco Nantwich. Next there are two locks at Hack Green, close to the Secret Hack Green Nuclear Bunker, once one of the nation’s most secret defence sites, and now a fascinating museum.
Three miles on at Audlem, you’ll pass the Shroppie Fly pub and Audlem Mill, selling canal gifts, crafts and the locally made Snugbury’s Jersey Ice Cream. Then the Audlem flight of 15 locks takes the canal 93ft downhill to a lock-free mile, before another flight of five locks at Adderley. Next you’ll travel through Betton Cutting, past Brownhills Wood before reaching the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. Then there are five locks at Tyrley. After that, the canal is lock free for 17 miles, passing through a series of cuttings, embankments and villages with excellent pubs. Places to stop along this 17-mile stretch include: Goldstone Wharf with its Wharf Tavern pub; Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Loynton Moss Nature Reserve at Grub Street; the Old Wharf Tearoom at Norbury Junction; the Royal Oak at Gnosnall; and the Hartley Arms and Mottey Meadows Nature Reserve at Wheaton Ashton.
There’s just one lock at Wheaton, then the route is lock-free again for eight miles, passing the Bridge pub at Brewood. Then you’ll go under the M54 motorway and pass close to Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve, before meeting Autherley Junction Stop Lock and the southern end of ‘The Shroppie’. You’ll then travel north up the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood.
Head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal to the old market town of Stone, travelling for five hours and passing through four locks. Along the way, the route passes the village of Weston, with The Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Next, canal boat holiday-makers can enjoy views of the imposing Sandon Hall, its 400 acres of rolling parkland, and Grade II* listed Pitt’s Column, erected in 1806 by the first Earl of Harrowby in memory of the great Prime Minister Pitt the Younger.
The canal then passes along the outskirts of Burston, where the family-run micro-brewery Greyhound pub is well worth the short walk to. On arriving in Stone, there are visitor moorings at Westbridge Park, opposite the Swan pub, and a little further along past the Star pub on the left. Stone is considered to be the food and drink capital of Staffordshire, with regular markets, a diverse choice of cuisine and annual Stone Food & Drink Festival. Continue north from Stone along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Stoke-on-Trent, first travelling through Meaford Locks, and past Neil Morrissey’s canalside Plume of Feathers pub at Barlaston.
Just before Trentham Lock, you can stop to explore the World of Wedgwood, with a factory tour, afternoon tea in the Wedgewood tea room, woodland walks and award winning museum housing a UNESCO protected collection. Just under five miles later, after travelling through the Stoke flights of five locks, the canal reaches its junction with the Caldon Canal at Etruria, in Stoke-on-Trent. Here you can stop to visit the Etruria Industrial Museum, Spode Visitor Centre and the Waterworld indoor aqua park. Continuing north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll need to book your passage to be able to pass through the mighty one-and-three-quarter-mile long Harecastle Tunnel. You’ll re-emerge at Kidsgrove, and Harding’s Wood Junction, where the Macclesfield Canal meets the Trent & Mersey. Here you’ll meet the summit of ‘Heartbreak Hill’ – the series of 31 locks between Middlewich and Kidsgrove, raising the canal 280ft up from the Cheshire Plains.
The next village is Rode Heath with its Royal Oak pub and Rode Hall, one of Cheshire’s most exquisite country houses. The South Cheshire Way crosses the canal at Lower Thurlwood Lock, one of a flight of three, then it’s the two Pierpoint Locks, and then there are two more at Hassall Green, just before the canal passes beneath the M6 motorway.
At Wheelock, where there’s a choice of pubs, including the canalside Cheshire Cheese, and eight more locks to negotiate. From Wheelock it’s a mile-long walk into the historic town of Sandbach, with regular markets, a Waitrose supermarket and plenty of places to eat and drink. Next there’s a three-mile break from locks as the canal winds round Ettiley Heath and the Sandbach Flashes, a group of 14 wetlands designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Four miles and another four locks on, the canal reaches the historic market town Middlewich, famous for its salt industry which dates back to medieval times. Here the Four Counties Ring route leaves the Trent & Mersey Canal, heading to Barbridge along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. This quiet waterway travels peacefully through the Cheshire countryside, with just four locks along its 10-mile length. Along the way, the Badger Inn at Church Minshull is a short walk from the canal.
After travelling for a further two miles to Barbridge Junction, with its Olde Barbridge Inn. Transfer back on to the Llangollen Canal to return to Whixall.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Week-long breaks from Whixall
On a week long boating break on the Llangollen Canal from Trevor you can cruise across The Stream in the Sky to Whitchurch or Wrenbury
Start your journey through breath-taking scenery by cruising along past Whixall Moss nature reserve and connecting to the mainline of the Llangollen Canal. Heading towards Llangollen, you pass Cole Mere next, then Blake Mere. You’ll cruse through the short Ellesmere Tunnel before reaching Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District. At Ellesmere there are plenty of visitor moorings, giving you the chance to explore this historic market town with a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as its famous Mere and woodland walks. There’s a range of places to eat and drink, including The White Hart pub and The Red Lion coaching inn.
Then pass Frankton Junction, where the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal. Cruise on through the countryside, going through two locks at New Marton. The canalside Lion Quays restaurant is next to Moreton Bridge no.17 and soon after the Poachers Pocket pub is canalside at Gledrid. From here, the next 11-miles of the Llangollen Canal is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll pass The Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank just before you cross over the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct, the railway viaduct alongside. Opened in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct carries the canal 21.3 metres above the English/Welsh border. You can turn around just after the Chirk Aqueduct, before Chirk Tunnel. The National Trust’s medieval fortress Chirk Castle is upon the hill.
Continue on from Chirk, exploring more of the 11-mile UNESCO World Heritage stretch of the Llangollen Canal. Pass through the 420-metre long Chirk Tunnel, pass Chirk Marina and then you go through Whitehouses Tunnel. The Offa’s Dyke Path follows the canal for a while and you’ll pass Ty Mawr Country Park. The Britannia Inn is close by in Froncysllte and then you’ll pass the Aqueduct Inn just before you begin crossing the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the canal 38 metres above the River Dee. Just after the aqueduct, you’ll reach Trevor Basin. The canal narrows after Trevor and you’ll need someone to hop off with a mobile phone to check that the navigation is clear. You’ll pass the canalside Sun pub and enjoy views of the valley below. There is a basin with visitor moorings at Llangollen (charges apply), which you can use as a base to explore the town, including the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and gardens and the Horseshoe Falls. There are many independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views.
Nantwich and back (42 miles, 38 locks, 28 hours)
Start your journey through breath-taking scenery by cruising along past Whixall Moss nature reserve and connecting to the mainline of the Llangollen Canal. Head east to the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. Look out for half-timbered buildings, fair trade independent shops and restaurants. There’s a good choice of pubs, including the award-winning Black Bear. After Whitchurch, you’ll pass through the Grindley Brook Staircase of Locks with lockside café and stores and then you’ll reach Wrenbury. The centre of the village is a conservation area with a range of historic houses and the 16th century St Margaret’s Church overlooking the village green. There is a Post Office with general stores and two pubs, the canalside Dusty Miller in a converted corn mill, and The Cotton Arms. Cruise on through the Shropshire countryside, then pass through four locks at Hurleston, before reaching Hurleston Junction. Here the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. Head south down the Shropshire Union Canal through a couple of bridges before reaching Nantwich Basin where you can turn. The historic market town of Nantwich was once the centre of the salt mining industry, which you can find out more about at the Nantwich Museum. Nantwich has a great choice of places to eat, including the Wickstead Arms and Loco Nantwich.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
10-day and two week breaks from Monkton Combe
Our longer boating holiday destinations on the Kennet & Avon Canal include cruising through the Vale of Pewsey and the Savernake Forest
One of our best-loved canals, the 87-mile long Kennet & Avon Canal links the Bristol Avon with the Thames at Reading, passing through spectacular landscapes and the World Heritage City of Bath.
From the beautiful Bath Valley and the foothills of the Cotswolds in Somerset and Wiltshire to the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the wooded Kennet Valley, this canal offers the chance to enjoy some of England’s most beautiful countryside.
Hungerford and back (84 miles, 122 locks, 55 hours)
Soon after leaving the Somerset Coal Canal, you’ll cross over the impressive Dundas Bath stone aqueduct and later the Avoncliff aqueduct. Then you’ll pass through the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon and its canalside Barge Inn and Beehive pub. The journey continues east through Semington and Seend, with its canalside Barge Inn. Soon after you’ll reach the base of the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks at Devizes, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. It takes around five hours to travel up the flight.
Next you’ll pass through a series of pretty canalside villages dotted through the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including All Cannings with its King’s Arms pub and Honeystreet, with its canalside Barge Inn. You’ll travel on through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, passing Pewsey Wharf with The Waterfront Bar & Bistro, and close by to the village of Pewsey, with its Royal Oak pub. Next, it’s Wootton Rivers with its Royal Oak pub on the edge of the Savernake Forest.
Then you’ll pass through The Bruce Tunnel, also known as Savernake Tunnel, marketing the highest point of the canal. Soon after you’ll reach Crofton with its historic Pumping Station and Beam engines. And flight of locks taking you back down the hill. Next it’s Great Bedwyn, with its Three Tuns pub and Great Bedwyn Wharf. Cruise on through Little Bedwyn and soon after, Froxfield with its Pelican Inn close to the canal. And then you’ll reach Hungerford with many antique shops, pubs and restaurants to choose from. You can turn your boat at Hungerford Town Bridge.
Newbury and back (102 miles, 142 locks, 66 hours)
As above but cruising on to Newbury, where there’s a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Lock Stock & Barrel. You can visit the Newbury Museum and Newbury Racecourse. The impressive Highclere Castle, featured in the ITV drama Downton Abbey is a short taxi ride away.
Reading and back (139 miles, 182 locks, 90 hours total)
Continue on from Newbury through the beautiful West Berkshire countryside passing through the pretty village of Kintbury with its canalside Dundas Arms. On reaching Reading, you can turn at the winding hole below County Lock No 106 and moor up to walk back along the canal to the canalside Oracle shopping centre. There’s a great choice of canalside places to eat, including Wagamamas. The Vue cinema is canalside too. Reading Museum is a short walk away, home to half a million objects, crossing archaeology, art, natural history, social history and world cultures, including Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry.
10-day & two week breaks from Bradford on Avon
Great Bedwyn and back (100 locks, 46 hours)
The journey begins by cruising east through two short tunnels and Sydney Gardens. You’ll cruise through the villages of Bathampton, with its popular canalside George Inn and Claverton, home of the historic Claverton Pumping Station and American Museum in Britain at Claverton Manor. Next you’ll cross over the impressive Dundas and Avoncliff Bath stone aqueducts. Then you’ll pass through the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon and its canalside Barge Inn and Beehive pub. The journey continues east through Semington and Seend, with its canalside Barge Inn. Soon after you’ll reach the base of the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks at Devizes, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. It takes around five hours to travel up the flight. You’ll then experience Next you’ll pass through a series of pretty canalside villages dotted through the North West Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including All Cannings with its King’s Arms pub and Honeystreet, with its canalside Barge Inn. You’ll travel on through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, passing Pewsey Wharf with The Waterfront Bar & Bistro, and close by to the village of Pewsey, with its Royal Oak pub. Next, it’s Wootton Rivers with its Royal Oak pub on the edge of the Savernake Forest. Then you’ll pass through The Bruce Tunnel, also known as Savernake Tunnel, marketing the highest point of the canal. Soon after you’ll reach Crofton with its historic Pumping Station and Beam engines. And flight of locks taking you back down the hill. Next it’s Great Bedwyn, with its Three Tuns pub and Great Bedwyn Wharf where you can turn your boat.
Hungerford and back (120 locks, 54 hours)
As above but cruise on through Little Bedwyn and soon after, Froxfield with its Pelican Inn close to the canal. And then you’ll reach Hungerford with many antique shops, pubs and restaurants to choose from. You can turn your boat at Hungerford Town Bridge.
Newbury and back (142 locks, 64 hours)
As above but cruising on to Newbury, where there’s a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Lock Stock & Barrel. You can visit the Newbury Museum and Newbury Racecourse. The impressive Highclere Castle, featured in the ITV drama Downton Abbey is a short taxi ride away.
Reading and back (186 locks, 90 hours total)
Continue on from Newbury through the beautiful West Berkshire countryside passing through the pretty village of Kintbury with its canalside Dundas Arms. On reaching Reading, you can turn at the winding hole near King’s Bridge Road and moor up to walk back along the canal to the canalside Oracle shopping centre. There’s a great choice of canalside places to eat, including Wagamamas. The Vue cinema is canalside too. Reading Museum is a short walk away, home to half a million objects, crossing archaeology, art, natural history, social history and world cultures, including Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry.
To check availability here online or call us on 0117 463 3419.
