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.
Week long/7-night Canal Boat Boat Holiday Breaks from Monkton Combe
Pewsey and back (57 miles, 74 locks, 33.5 hours)
From Brassknocker Basin, you’ll first head over the Dundas Aqueduct and later the Avoncliff Aqueduct, with the canalside Cross Guns pub next to it. 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, which raises the canal 235ft across 2.5 miles. From the canal it’s a short walk to the historic market town of Devizes, with places to visit including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel and Peppermill Restaurant. After Devizes, 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.
Great Bedwyn and back (74 miles, 102 locks, 46 hours)
Follow the Pewsey route above. After Pewsey, you’ll reach 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.
Pewsey Wharf and back (69 miles, 74 locks, 42 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. From the canal it’s a short walk to the historic market town of Devizes, with places to visit including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel and Peppermill Restaurant. After Devizes, 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.
Week long/7-night breaks from Bradford on Avon
Pewsey and back (72 locks, 34 hours)
From Bradford on Avon Marina, head east along the Kennet & Avon Canal. The journey takes you 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, which raises the canal 235ft across 2.5 miles. From the canal it’s a short walk to the historic market town of Devizes, with places to visit including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel and Peppermill Restaurant. After Devizes, 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.
Great Bedwyn and back (100 locks, 46 hours)
Follow the Pewsey route above. After Pewsey, you’ll reach 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.
Bristol Floating Harbour and back (28 locks, 24 hours)
Please note, this route is only available to hirers with lots of boating experience.
Heading west from the marina along the Kennet & Avon Canal, and cruise through the beautiful Bath Valley. You’ll cross over the Avoncliff Aqueduct, with the riverside Cross Guns pub next door. You’ll cross over the Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Soon after you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. Next you’ll pass through Bathampton and the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. Next you’ll travel down the flight of six locks in Bath (the Widcombe flight) before joining the River Avon. You’ll pass through Saltford with its Riverside Inn and Keynsham with its Brassmill and Lock Keeper pubs. You’ll cruise on through a steeply wooded valley, before reaching Hanham Lock and the Old Lock & Weir Inn. Cruise on to Bristol Floating Harbour, home of Brunel’s SS Great Britain ship, the MShed Bristol Museum and galleries, and the Watershed arts centre, cinema and café bar. The centre of Bristol is just a 20 minute walk away. There are mooring fees at the floating harbour.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short breaks on the Shropshire Union Canal
On a short break boating holiday from Bunbury you can cruise to Chester, Anderton Boat Lift, Ellesmere Port, Whitchurch or Market Drayton
The Shropshire Union Canal stretches 77 miles from Autherley Junction near Wolverhampton in the South, to Ellesmere Port in the North. Cruising ‘the Shroppie’ gives you stunning views of the Cheshire countryside, sleepy villages, deep canal cuttings and the opportunity to visit the ancient City of Chester.
After leaving the base you’ll go through Tilstone Lock, and then two more locks at 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, passing 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 Cathedral at Cow Lane Bridge 123D.
Audlem and back (23 miles, 4 locks, 9 hours)
Head south to Barbridge Junction, home of the Barbridge Inn. Continue cruising south along the Shropshire Union Canal, passing Hurleston Reservoir and Hurleston Junction. Next you’ll reach Nantwich and you’ll pass over Nantwich Aqueduct. This historic market town of Nantwich has choice of places to eat and drink, including The Black Lion, dating back to 1664. Travel on south, passing through two locks at Hack Green and close to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. Soon after, the South Cheshire Way crosses the canal at Bridge 83. Continue on through the Cheshire countryside past Overwater Marina and cross over Moss Hall Aqueduct. Then turn the boat around just before Lock 15 and Moss Hall Bridge No.79, ready to make the return journey. You can then moor up and walk back into the historic village of Audlem, with a choice of pubs, including the canalside Shroppie Fly.
National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port and back (24 locks, 19 hours)
Continue through Chester, down the staircase locks and into Telford’s Basin. From there, it’s lock-free for eight miles to the end of the Shropshire Union Canal at Ellesmere Port, where the canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal. You could moor up along the way at Caughall Bridge, and walk half a mile to the award-winning Chester Zoo, with 15,000 animals living in 125 acres of gardens. At the end of the canal, you can visit the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, with its historic boat collection, docks, warehouses, forge, stables and workers cottages, bringing the past vividly to life with the help of costumed characters and guided tours.
Anderton Boat Lift and back (46 miles, 20 locks, 18 hours)
Head south through Bunbury Locks and on to Barbridge Junction, where the Middlewich Branch meets the Shropshire Union Canal. Turn onto the Middlewich Branch, passing through quiet hilly farmland and skirting the village of Church Minshull, home to the Badger Inn. Continue to Middlewich Junction, where you turn left, heading north on the Trent & Mersey Canal. Travel through the Middlewich Locks, past the canalside Big Lock pub, then over the Croxton Aqueduct. Enjoy the peaceful, open countryside as you cruise towards the town of Northwich, where there is a selection of pubs, restaurants and shops. Continue on past the village of Marston and the Lion Salt Works Museum. There are visitor moorings on the approach to the Anderton Boat Lift, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Also known as ‘The Cathedral of the Canals’, this extraordinary structure raises and lowers boats 15 metres between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal. The Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre explains how the amazing lift works and why it is so important.
Whitchurch and back (35 miles, 40 locks, 20 hours)
Head south through Bunbury Locks and on to Barbridge Junction, where the Middlewich Branch meets the Shropshire Union Canal. Continue to Hurleston Junction, where you’ll travel through Hurleston Locks and on to the Llangollen Canal. Cruise on through the countryside and stop at bridge 12 for a walk to the Farmers Arms in the village of Ravensmoor. Climb through Baddiley Locks and soon after you’ll reach Wrenbury, with the canalside Dusty Miller and Cotton Arms. Continue on to Marbury, home to the Swan Inn and on to Grindley Brook Locks and historic Whitchurch, with independent shops and restaurants, way-marked walks and award-winning Black Bear pub.
Market Drayton and back (36 miles, 48 locks, 21 hours)
Head south to Barbridge Junction and the Olde Barbridge Inn. Continue along the Shropshire Union Canal past Hurleston Junction and then cruise over the Nantwich Aqueduct, with great views across the historic town, with a choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. After the two locks at Hack Green, stop near Bridge 85 to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. Here you can explore the labyrinth of rooms and equipment and watch the previously banned ‘The War Game’ film. Continuing along the Shropshire Union Canal, next you come to Audlem where you’ll find a flight of 15 locks and the iconic canalside Shroppie Fly pub. At Adderley there are five more lock before you arrive at the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short breaks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Cruise through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside to Skipton, Gargrave, Bingley or Saltaire on a short break from Silsden
At 127 miles, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest single canal in the country, crossing the Pennines and linking the wide waterways of Yorkshire with those of Lancashire and the River Mersey. From the vibrant centres of Leeds, Liverpool, Wigan and Burnley, to the awe-inspiring vast areas of open space of the moorlands at the canal’s summit and the peace of the wooded Aire Valley, the scenery of this canal varies dramatically.
Skipton, Gargrave & the Yorkshire Dales and back (23 Miles, 6 locks, 12.5 hours)
Travelling in the direction of Liverpool along the 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.
Bingley, Saltaire and back (18 Miles, 22 locks, 13.5 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 one-and-a-half 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.
East Marton and back (32 miles, 24 locks, 19 hours)
Follow the weekend route to Skipton and Gargrave then continue cruising west. This beautiful rural stretch along the Yorkshire Dales has 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. Continue on to turn soon after South Field Bridge no.159.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short Canal Boat Holiday Breaks from Bradford on Avon
Our Bradford on Avon base is on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire.
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.
Weekend/3-night Canal Boat Holiday from Bradford on Avon
Foxhanger Wharf and back (14 locks, 15 hours)
From our new base at Bradford on Avon, cruise east along the Kennet & Avon Canal passing the canalside Beehive pub and travelling on through the Avon Valley. At Hilperton Marina you can moor up to visit the canalside King’s Arms pub or walk into Trowbridge. 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’. You can turn your boat here at Foxhanger Wharf. From the canal it’s a short walk to the historic market town of Devizes, with places to visit including the Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre, Bear Hotel, Peppermill Restaurant and Dolcipani Bakery.
Sydney Wharf and back (20 miles, 2 locks, 8 hours)
Cruise west through the beautiful Bath Valley, crossing over the Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Then you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. The journey continues on through Bathampton, passing the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. Turn the boat at Sydney Wharf winding hole and moor up. From there it’s a 15 minute walk into Bath City Centre.
Bath City Centre and back (14 locks, 14 hours)
Cruise west through the beautiful Bath Valley, crossing over the beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Then you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. The journey continues on through Bathampton, passing the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. You’ll go down the flight of six locks at Bath (the Widcombe flight) and you can turn and moor close to Pulteney Bridge. From there, you explore all this fabulous UNESCO World Heritage city has to offer, including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Museum, Bath Abbey, Theatre Royal and Royal Crescent.
Please note, this route is only available to hirers with lots of boating experience.
Heading west from the marina along the Kennet & Avon Canal, and cruise through the beautiful Bath Valley. You’ll cross over the beautiful Bath stone Avoncliff Aqueduct with the Cross Guns pub next to it. Later you’ll cruise over Dundas Aqueduct and pass the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal. Next you’ll pass Claverton Pumping Station and Claverton Manor, home of the American Museum in Britain. And then you’ll travel through Bathampton and past the canalside George Inn. You’ll cruise through two short tunnels – Beckford Road and Cleveland House. Next you’ll travel down the flight of six locks in Bath (the Widcombe flight) before joining the River Avon. At Saltford you can visit the Riverside Inn.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short Canal Boat Holiday breaks on the Stratford Canal
Cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Shakespeare’s Stratford or through the remains of the Forest of Arden to Hatton Locks
Weekend/3-night Canal Boat Holidays from Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire
Stratford-upon-Avon and back (14 miles, 34 locks, 11 hours)
Head south along the Stratford Canal, past the canalside Navigation Inn next to our boat yard. Soon after you’ll reach the first 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.
Mid-week/4-night break from Wootton Wawen
Hatton and back (21 miles, 34 locks, 14 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 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. Continue cruising along the Grand Union Canal towards Warwick through steeply wooded hills and 396-metre long Shrewley Tunnel. Turn the boat around just before St John’s Bridge. You can walk down the Hatton Flight of 21 locks to the Hatton Locks cafe. 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.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short Canal Boat Breaks from Great Haywood in Staffordshire
You can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Fradley, Stone, Alrewas or Gailey on a short break from Great Haywood
Weekend/3-night Canal Boat Holidays from Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal
The 90-mile long Trent & Mersey Canal, begins close to the River Mersey near Runcorn and finishes at its junction with the River Trent in Derbyshire. It takes you through beautiful countryside in Cheshire and Staffordshire and through the heritage-rich industrial sites of Stoke-on-Trent’s potteries district.
Fradley and back (25 miles, 10 locks, 12 hours)
Head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal and pass through Haywood Lock. The National Trust’s Shugborough Hall and The Clifford Arms pub are close by. 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 and there’s 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 to visit, and you can enjoy spotting wildlife along the woodland trail and boardwalk at Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.
Stone and back (20 miles, 8 locks, 10 hours)
Cruise north 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 reach the outskirts of the historic market town of Stone, with a choice of shops, pubs and restaurants.
Gailey Wharf and back (26 miles, 22 locks, 15 hours)
At Great Haywood Junction, head west along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll pass over a small aqueducts 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 can turn at Gailey Wharf.
Alrewas and back (31 miles, 22 locks, 17 hours)
Cruise on south along the Trent & Mersey Canal from Fradley Junction (see route info above) and continue on through five locks until you reach the pretty canalside village of Alrewas. There’s a choice of pubs and restaurants in Alrewas, including The George & Dragon and The Crown. Alrewas is also home to the National Memorial Arboretum woodland park.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Short breaks from Whixall
Our short break destinations on the Llangollen Canal include Llangollen, Chirk, Ellesmere, Crickheath, Whitchurch and Wrenbury
The beautiful 41-mile long Llangollen Canal crosses the border between England and Wales.
In 2009, an 11-mile section of the waterway from Gledrid Bridge to the Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen – including the incredible Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts – was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Cruise the through the Shropshire Lake District to Ellesmere and back (14 miles, 0 locks, 7 hours)
Ideal for those wishing to experience a remote retreat through breath-taking scenery. 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.
Follow the three-night route to Ellesmere. 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.
Trevor and back (42 miles, 4 locks, 19 hours)
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 where you can turn.
Crickheath on the Montgomery Canal and back (36 miles, 16 locks, 19 hours)
Follow the three-night route to Ellesmere and two miles later at Frankton Junction, transfer onto the Montgomery Canal. This beautiful canal runs for 38 miles between England and Wales. It’s recognised as a Special Area of Conservation, making it one of the most important sites for wildlife in Europe. Currently only around half the Montgomery Canal is navigable, including an eight-mile section from Frankton Junction to Gronwyn Wharf. Along the way, you can look out for many types of waterway birds, animals and insects, including dragonflies, damselflies, otters, water voles, Daubenton’s bats skimming over the water at dusk. Soon after Rednal Railway Bridge, you’ll reach the canalside Queen’s Head pub near Owestry. Then it’s the three Aston Locks before you reach Maesbury Marsh and the canalside Navigation Inn. You can turn at Crickheath Basin.
Wrenbury and back (26 miles, 20 locks, 17.5 hours)
Once you reach the Llangollen Canal main line, 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. Soon after, you can moor up to explore 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. Travelling on from Whitchurch, you’ll encounter the Grindley Brook Staircase Locks, often manned by a lock keeper. The Sandstone Trail follows the canal for a while. You’ll pass close by to the Waterfowl Sanctuary at Bradeley Green. Soon after you’ll pass close to the village of Marbury with its charming Swan Inn and Big Mere and Little Mere lakes. Less than two miles later 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’s a Post Office with general stores and two pubs, the canalside Dusty Miller in a converted corn mill, and canalside The Cotton Arms.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 304 1122.
Making the most of your boat trip across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Ways to make the most of your trip across ‘The Stream in the Sky’ in North Wales
One of our Little Star Pontcysyllte Aqueduct trip boat skippers and commentary providers describes some of the highlights of the trip and ways to make the most of a visit to this UNESCO world heritage site.
Our Little Star trip boat takes passengers across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, to experience incredible views across the beautiful Dee Valley.
What are the journey highlights?
Probably the most breath-taking moment is just as you pass the Ash trees on the right of the aqueduct and suddenly a panoramic view of the Dee Valley and the beautiful 17th century Cysylltau Bridge, known locally as ‘The Bont’ opens up beneath you. Meanwhile, on the other side the magnificent Cefn Railway viaduct is coming into view; if you’re lucky, you’ll see a train going across the Viaduct! People also find the process of turning the 70ft trip boat fascinating and seeing the lift bridge in operation.
Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for the Fron (pronounced ‘Vron’) Embankment just over the other side of the aqueduct. It’s a surreal structure made from the spoil excavated when the canal tunnels were built, now lined with trees home to many types of birds, including gold crests, woodpeckers, nut hatches and chaffinches.
Birds fly beneath you!
Crossing the aqueduct as often as I do, you’d have thought you might start taking it all for granted; but one thing that always brings me back into the moment as I’m guiding boats across the aqueduct is the jackdaws that roost under the arches. Often they’ll swoop out from underneath the boat as we are driving along. Birds flying underneath boats, suspended 126 feet above a roaring river. If that ever feels ‘normal’ then I’ll know it’s time to find a new job!
What else can I do when I visit Pontcysyllte Aqueduct?
As well as seeing the aqueduct and the spectacular views of the Dee Valley from the trip boat, people love to experience crossing it on foot, and to enjoy a meal or a drink at the Aqueduct Inn perched up the hill overlooking the canal in Froncysyllte.
The Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Rooms at Trevor Basin do excellent breakfasts, lunches and cream teas so it’s well worth planning a visit there too.
You can also walk down the steps to the bottom of the valley to see the Aqueduct from below, which really brings home the scale of the structure and the achievements of the canal engineers.
Another option is to head up the hill to the fascinating historic village of Cefn Mawr to see the aqueduct from above. Once the site of iron works, coal mines and brick and tile works, it’s full of little alleyways, steps and stair cases and there some great viewpoints looking out across the valley, with glimpses of the Aqueduct.
Parking at the site
The best place to park to enjoy one our boat trips and visit the Canal & River Trust’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Visitor Centre is the public ‘pay and display’ car park at Acrefair, Wrexham, LL14 3SG. The car park is open daily from 8am to 8pm.
Make sure you put the car park postcode in your Sat Nav or Google maps, rather than simply ‘Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’ to ensure you arrive in the right place
When do the boat trips run?
From April to October 2026 trips depart daily at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm from Canal Wharf, Trevor, Llangollen LL20 7TT.
Over the winter we run a reduced timetable on select days only.
How do I book a boat trip aboard Little Star?
For more information about Little Star and to book ahead, go to Little Star – Anglo Welsh Ltd or call us on 0117 304 1122.
