10-day, 11-day or two-week breaks from Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
The Warwickshire Ring (62 hours, 125 locks)
On a 10-day or two-week break from Tardebigge you can complete the Warwickshire Ring.
The circuit runs for 104 miles through 121 locks. It takes in sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals.
Highlights include: the flight of 11 locks into Atherstone; the pretty canal villages of Hillmorton and Braunston; the flight of 21 locks at Hatton, also known as ‘The Stairway to Heaven’; Warwick Castle, said to be Britain’s greatest medieval experience; Stockton Locks; Tamworth Castle; Fradley Junction and Nature Reserve; Warwick Bar; and boating through the centre of Birmingham.
The Avon Ring (108 miles, 58 hours, 131 locks)
This 108-mile long journey goes through 131 locks and navigates sections of the Stratford Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Worcester & Birmingham Canal. It takes you through the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Highlights include: Bancroft Basin in Shakespeare’s Stratford; the River Avon with its panoramic views; the charming historic town of Evesham; the Cotswold medieval town of Tewskesbury; the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral; the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge; and cruising through the remains of the Forest of Arden.
Head north up the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal from Tardebigge and go through the 560-metre long Shortwood Tunnel. You’ll find a choice of canalside pubs at Alvechurch. The Weighbridge put at Alvechurch Marina and the Crown pub. Next 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 pass our canal boat hire base at Wootton Wawen.
Continue heading 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. Then you’ll be back at our Tardebigge base at the top of the flight.
The Black Country Ring (53 hours, 79 locks)
On a 10-day or two-week break from Tardebigge you can complete the Black Country Ring.
The route, also known as the Staffordshire Ring, travels stretches of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey and various sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. The Black Country Ring covers 75 miles, and passes through 70 locks, including 21 on the Wolverhampton Flight.
Highlights include: the 21 locks at Wolverhampton; the tranquil waters at Tixall Wide; the National Trust’s Shugborough Hall; Fradley Nature Reserve; the Black Country Living Museum; and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham city centre.
The Black Country canals wind through urban areas, rural landscapes and nature reserves, offering diverse and picturesque surroundings to enjoy along the way. The route offers the chance to explore the industrial heritage of the region.
The canals were once vital arteries for transporting coal, iron, and other raw materials to and from the factories and mines of the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution. Along the way, you’ll encounter historic locks, bridges, and former industrial sites that provide glimpses into the area’s industrial past.
Week long breaks from Tardebigge
Week long narrowboat breaks from Tardebigge on Worcester & Birmingham Canal
The Birmingham Mini-Ring (27 hours, 49 locks)
The Birmingham Mini-Ring takes boaters through industrial heritage sites, historic neighbourhoods and green spaces, providing a unique perspective of Birmingham’s diverse landscape. The route offers views of city skylines, waterfronts and charming canalside pubs and cafes.
The 45-mile circuit passes through 49 locks and 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 the centre of Birmingham; the bars and restaurants at Brindleyplace; the flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge; and Pelsall Common.
On a week-long break from Tardebigge you can complete the Birmingham Mini-Ring.
First head north along the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal and you’ll soon reach the village of Alvechurch, with its canalside Crown Inn and Weighbridge Inn. You’ll pass through fields, wooded glades and one short tunnel along the way.
The next pub is the Hopwood House at Hopwood. Then the canal goes through the 2493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country before reaching King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal. Transfer onto the Stratford Canal and go through the Lapworth flight of 26 locks.
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. Then you’ll head back through Wast Hills Tunnels, Hopwood and Alvechurch before returning to our Tardebigge base.
Worcester and back (30 hours, 112 locks)
Head south from Tardebigge along the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal and down the Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. You’ll find the Queen’s Head pub at the bottom of the locks.
Next you’ll pass through the Dunhampstead Tunnel and then the pretty hamlet of Oddingley.
You’ll connect with the River Severn at Diglis Junction. You can moor up in Diglis Basin to explore the City of Worcester.
Warwick and back (38 hours, 82 locks)
Heading north from Tardebigge, you’ll soon reach the village of Alvechurch, with its canalside Crown Inn and Weighbridge Inn, passing through fields, wooded glades and one short tunnel along the way.
The next pub is the Hopwood House at Hopwood. Then the canal goes through the 2493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country before reaching King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal. Transfer onto the Stratford Canal and head down the Lapworth Flight to the Lapworth Link. At Kingswood Junction, transfer onto the Grand Union Canal.
Soon after you’ll reach Shrewley Tunnel and then the flight of 21 Locks at Hatton. 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.
Stratford-upon-Avon and back (40 hours, 108 locks)
Heading north from Tardebigge, you’ll soon reach the village of Alvechurch, with its canalside Crown Inn and Weighbridge Inn, passing through fields, wooded glades and one short tunnel along the way.
The next pub is the Hopwood House at Hopwood. Then the canal goes through the 2493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country before reaching King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal. Transfer onto the Stratford Canal and head down the Lapworth Flight.
At Lapworth continue heading south along the Stratford Canal, passing the canalside Fleur de Lys pub at Lowsonford, famous for its pies. You’ll see a barrel roof lock cottage at lock 34 in the tiny hamlet of Yarningdale Common and you’ll cross over the Grade II* listed Yarningdale Aqueduct.
You’ll pass through the village of Wootton Wawen, with its popular farm shop and our Wootton Wawen canal boat hire base. 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
The Droitwich Ring (30 hours, 117 locks)
On a week-long break from Tardebigge you can complete the Droitwich Ring.
Also known as the Mid-Worcestershire Ring, the Droitwich Ring is a 21-mile, 33-lock circuit which takes around 16 hours to complete. It travels sections of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the River Severn, as well as the Droitwich Barge and Junction canals.
To do the ring from Tardebigge, you’ll first need to head south along the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal and down the Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. Turn right onto the Droitwich Junction Canal at Hanbury Junction. The popular Eagle & Sun pub is close to the Junction.
The Droitwich Junction Canal is two miles long with seven locks. It joins the Droitwich Barge Canal at Barge Lock. You’ll pass the picturesque Vines Park in the ancient salt town of Droitwich. Next you’ll pass through the ancient village of Salwarpe. There are then five locks at Ladywood and two at Hawford.
At Hawford Junction turn left onto the River Severn. Soon after Bevere Lock you’ll travel through the outskirts of the City of Worcester.
Turn again at Diglis Junction to get back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. You’ll pass through the pretty hamlet of Oddingley and through Dunhampstead Tunnel. Then it’s back up the Tardebigge flight.
The Stourport Ring (44 hours, 118 locks)
On a week’s holiday from Tardebigge, canal boat holiday-makers can complete the Stourport Ring, travelling a total of 74 miles through 118 locks in around 44 cruising hours.
It’s recommended to travel the route anti-clockwise, so begin by heading north to Gas Street Basin, then transfer onto the Birmingham Canal Main Line heading North West towards Wolverhampton.
The route continues lock-free for a while, passing through Cosely Tunnel, then Wolverhampton Tunnel, after which there are visitor moorings for exploring Wolverhampton, including its Grand Theatre and the fantastic Pop Art collection at its Art Gallery.
The Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks is next to negotiate, which takes around four hours, before reaching Aldersley Junction and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Six miles and another six locks later, boaters reach Bratch Top Lock and pumping station in the pretty village of Wombourne, with its popular Railway Café and choice of village pubs.
A mile later, the canalside Waggon & Horses pub with an extensive menu and large beer garden, is a welcome stopping place.
After another eight locks, boaters reach Stourton Junction, where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Stourbridge Canal. From here, it’s an eight-hour journey on to Stourport, travelling through 13 locks, past Kinver with access to the National Trust’s intriguing Kinver Rock Houses, and the historic market town of Kidderminster, with canalside dining at The Watermill and The Lock Inn.
On arriving at Stourport, once a busy inland port, boaters can explore the basins by following circular walks, and enjoy dining at the Bird in Hand, Windlass Café or Rising Sun Inn.
Next there’s a 12-mile section of the River Severn (Britain’s longest river) to travel along to reach the beautiful Cathedral City of Worcester. Here the Stourport Ring route transfers boaters back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Diglis Basin in the heart of the city, offering the chance to see some of the City’s many splendid buildings, including its spectacular Cathedral – with medieval cloisters, ancient crypt and magnificent stained glass.
Now on the last leg of the journey, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal takes boaters out of Worcester and steadily upwards through rolling fields and wooded cuttings, passing through the village of Tibberton, with its Bridge Inn.
Dunhampstead Tunnel is next and then Hanbury Wharf, where the Droitwich Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
After travelling through the Stoke flight of six locks boaters can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, which offers wood fired pizzas, barbeques and live music, before tackling the mighty Tardebigge flight of 30 locks.
One of the largest flights in Europe, these locks take the canal up 67 metres over a two-and-a-quarter mile stretch, and take around five hours to complete before returning to our boatyard at Tardebigge Old Wharf.
Short breaks from Tardebigge
Short break canal boat holidays available from Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Birmingham Gas Street Basin & back (10 hours, 0 locks)
From our Tardebigge base near the top of the Tardebigge flight, it takes just five hours (with no locks) to reach Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham.
Heading north from Tardebigge, in just one hour boaters reach the village of Alvechurch, with its canalside Weighbridge Inn, passing through fields, wooded glades and one short tunnel along the way.
The next pub is the Hopwood House at Hopwood, which serves freshly roasted Rotisserie chicken and house and guest cask beers on tap.
Then the canal goes through the 2493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country before reaching King’s Norton Junction, where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford Canal.
Soon the canal passes Cadbury World in the historic village of Bournville, where Richard and George Cadbury decided to move their expanding business in 1879, with the canal a critical mode of transport for the chocolate factory’s products and raw materials.
The landscape is now increasingly urban as you travel on into the very heart of Birmingham, passing through Edgbaston Tunnel.
With more canals than Venice, travelling by canal boat is a great way to explore Britain’s vibrant second city. Once moored up in Gas Street Basin, it’s a short walk to Brindleyplace with its National Sealife Centre, Ikon Gallery and dozens of waterside restaurants and bars.
Many of the City’s top attractions are within easy reach, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, home to the most important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.
Lapworth & back (14 hours, 0 locks)
On a short break from Tardebigge, you can cruise lock-free to the village of Lapworth, home of the National Trust’s Packwood House.
The journey takes you along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, through the remains of the Forest of Arden, to Kings Norton Junction. You then transfer onto the Stratford Canal to reach moorings in Lapworth.
From there, it’s a short walk to the Tudor Packwood House, with 150 acres of parkland and gardens to explore, including the famous Yew Garden. The journey to Lapworth takes around seven hours and passes through three tunnels.
Birmingham’s Black Country Museum & back (16 hours, 6 locks)
On a short break from Tardebigge you can cruise to Birmingham Black Country Museum and back, to visit this superb 26-acre open-air site, home of the Peaky Blinders. Here you can meet costumed characters explaining what it was like to live and work in one of the world’s most heavily industrialised landscapes.
There are period shops and homes to explore, the ‘Bottle & Glass Inn’, a 1912 school lesson and traditionally cooked 1930’s-style fish and chips. There are also vintage tram and bus rides and the chance to take a trip ‘into the thick’ to experience life in an 1850’s coal mine.
Christmas gift vouchers
Treat your family or friends to a boating holiday or day out on the water
If you’d like to gift your nearest and dearest an experience in 2025, why not give them a boating holiday or day out on the water?
With Anglo Welsh’s gift vouchers, you can choose exactly how much you’d like to spend. For example, for a day out boating, you could gift:
£99 for a week day, or £165 weekend/bank holiday day boat hire at Wootton Wawen, Bunbury, Great Haywood or Whixall;
£120 for a week day, or £199 weekend/bank holiday day boat hire on the Llangollen Canal at Trevor; or
£185 for a week day, or £199 weekend/bank holiday day boat hire on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Bradford on Avon.
Or buy a voucher towards a boating holiday. Our 2025 prices start at £910 for a short break on a boat for up to four people.
We’ll tailor the amount and the message for you.
To purchase an Anglo Welsh gift voucher, call us on 0117 304 1122 or email at bookings@anglowelsh.co.uk
We’re offering winter cruising from seven of our canal boat hire bases
Winter canal boat hire provides the opportunity to cruise gently through the quiet winter countryside and stop off at canalside pubs along the way.
You’ll be snug and warm on board as all our boats have central heating and hot water, and some also have multi-fuel stoves.
We offer narrowboat hire over Christmas and New Year from six of our bases. So you can celebrate the festive season afloat with family and friends. Or simply escape from it all with your nearest and dearest, aboard your very own floating holiday cottage.
Here’s a Guide to Our Top 6 Cosy Canal Boat Holiday Pubs to Cruise to This Winter
**Please note that winter maintenance on the canals may affect some routes for part of the winter, so do just check with us when you make your booking:
1. Cruise to the Dusty Miller at Wrenbury Mill, Cheshire
From Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around seven hours to reach Wrenbury Mill. The route travels through 10 miles of the Cheshire countryside, and passes through 11 locks. You’ll start off on the Shropshire Union Canal, transferring onto the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction. At Wrenbury Mill you can moor up and enjoy a meal at the Dusty Miller. They serve traditional pub food, including chicken in a basket and pie of the day. The pub is dog friendly and they have a guide to local walks on their website.
2. Head to the Swan Inn at Fradley Junction, Staffordshire
From Great Haywood it takes around five hours to reach Fradley Junction. The journey travels along the Trent & Mersey Canal for 12 miles, passing through five locks. At Fradley, you can moor up next to the historic Swan Inn, serving ‘home cooked honest meals’. They also have a doggy menu.
3. Visit the Fleur De Lys at Lowsonford, Warwickshire
From Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, it takes around three hours to cruise to the pretty canalside village of Lowsonford. There you can moor up to visit the Fleur De Lys, a 17th century country pub famous for its pies. Eleven different types of pie are served, accompanied by seasonal vegetables, chunky chips and gravy. There are gluten free and vegan options, as well as veggie, meat and fish pies.
4. Dine out at the Corn Mill in Llangollen, Denbighshire
From Trevor on the Llangollen Canal, it takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach the pretty town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains. Once there, you can moor up in Llangollen Basin and take a short walk to the popular Corn Mill pub. Housed in a 14th century watermill on the banks of the River Dee, there’s a great choice of dishes on offer. From pumpkin tortellini and a sweet potato curry, to a crispy buttermilk chicken burger and rump steak, all are calorie counted.
5. Visit the Black Bear at Whitchurch, Shropshire
Setting out from Whixall, it takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach the historic market town of Whitchurch. You’ll travel through the Shropshire countryside along the Llangollen Canal. Once at Whitchurch, you can moor up to explore the town and visit the award-winning Black Bear pub on the High Street, housed in a medieval building.
6. Dine at the Cross Guns at Avoncliff, Wiltshire
You can reach the Cross Guns pub next to Avoncliff Aqueduct on a short break from our bases at Bradford on Avon and Bath. One of Wiltshire’s best known pubs, the Cross Guns dates back to the 17th century. It’s large inglenook fireplace is the same style as those found at Hampton Court.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
*Winter maintenance will affect some of the routes some of the time
Travel across The Stream in the Sky, and cruise through the Shropshire Lake District and the Cheshire Plain to the ancient City of Chester.
Setting off from Trevor Basin, the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Dee Valley below, is just 10 minutes away. Next it’s a lift bridge and the canalside Aqueduct Inn at Froncysyllte. Then you’ll cruise on through Whitehouse Tunnel followed by Chirk Tunnel, before crossing Chirk Aqueduct. Opened in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct carries the canal 21.3 metres above the English/Welsh border. Soon after the aqueduct, you’ll reach the Bridge Inn at Chirk, then the Poachers Pocket pub at Gledrid, and the Lion Quays waterside restaurant at Moreton – all good places to moor up for the night. Four miles later at Frankton Junction the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal and after another three miles, the canal passes by the Canal & River Trust’s Ellesmere Canal Yard, dating back to the early 1800s.
At Ellesmere there are plenty of visitor moorings, giving you the chance to explore this pretty market town with a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as its famous Mere, with woodland walks. After Ellesmere, the route passes Whixall Moss nature reserve then the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. These include J B Joyce & Co, the oldest maker of tower clocks in the world, established there in 1782. Look out for half-timbered buildings, fair trade independent shops and a 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 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. 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 (189 miles, 136 locks, 102 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.
Setting off from Trevor Basin, the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Dee Valley below, is just 10 minutes away. Next it’s a lift bridge and the canalside Aqueduct Inn at Froncysyllte. Then you’ll cruise on through Whitehouse Tunnel followed by Chirk Tunnel, before crossing Chirk Aqueduct. Opened in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct carries the canal 21.3 metres above the English/Welsh border.
Soon after the aqueduct, you’ll reach the Bridge Inn at Chirk, then the Poachers Pocket pub at Gledrid, and the Lion Quays waterside restaurant at Moreton – all good places to moor up for the night. Four miles later at Frankton Junction the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal and after another three miles, the canal passes by the Canal & River Trust’s Ellesmere Canal Yard, dating back to the early 1800s.
At Ellesmere there are plenty of visitor moorings, giving you the chance to explore this pretty market town with a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as its famous Mere, with woodland walks. After Ellesmere, the route passes Whixall Moss nature reserve then the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. Look out for half-timbered buildings, fair trade independent shops and a choice of places to eat, 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 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.
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 Trevor.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 463 3419.
Week-long breaks from Trevor
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
To Whitchurch and back (52 miles, 4 locks, 25 hours)
Setting off from Trevor Basin, the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Dee Valley below, is just 10 minutes away. Next it’s a lift bridge and the canalside Aqueduct Inn at Froncysyllte. Then you’ll cruise on through Whitehouse Tunnel followed by Chirk Tunnel, before crossing Chirk Aqueduct. Opened in 1801, Chirk Aqueduct carries the canal 21.3 metres above the English/Welsh border.
Soon after the aqueduct, you’ll reach the Bridge Inn at Chirk, then the Poachers Pocket pub at Gledrid, and the Lion Quays waterside restaurant at Moreton – all good places to moor up for the night. Four miles later at Frankton Junction the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal and after another three miles, the canal passes by the Canal & River Trust’s Ellesmere Canal Yard, dating back to the early 1800s.
At Ellesmere there are plenty of visitor moorings, giving you the chance to explore this pretty market town with a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as its famous Mere, with woodland walks. After Ellesmere, the route passes Whixall Moss nature reserve then the historic market town of Whitchurch, known for its clock makers. Look out for half-timbered buildings, fair trade independent shops and a choice of places to eat, including the award-winning Black Bear.
To Wrenbury and back (66 miles, 24 locks, 35 hours)
Follow the route to Whitchurch above and then travel on another six miles further east. 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.
To Nantwich and back (83 miles, 42 locks, 45 hours)
Follow the route to Whitchurch and then Wrenbury above. Then cruise on east 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.
Short breaks from Trevor
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.
Passing through just two locks, the 14-hour journey from our base at on the Llangollen Canal at Trevor to the Shropshire market town of Ellesmere and back, offers a fantastic short break holiday for beginners.
Setting off from Trevor Basin, the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Dee Valley below, is right next to our base. Next it’s a lift bridge and The Aqueduct Inn at Froncysyllte, then on through Whitehouse Tunnel followed by Chirk Tunnel, before crossing Chirk Aqueduct. Soon after the aqueduct, you’ll reach the Bridge Inn at Chirk, then the Poachers Pocket pub at Gledrid, and the Lion Quays waterside restaurant at Moreton – all good places to moor up for the night.
Four miles later at Frankton Junction the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal and after another three miles, the canal passes by the Canal & River Trust’s Ellesmere Canal Yard, dating back to the early 1800s. At Ellesmere there are plenty of visitor moorings, giving you the chance to explore this pretty market town with a mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings, as well as its famous Mere, with woodland walks. There’s a range of places to eat and drink at Ellesmere, including The White Hart pub and The Red Lion coaching inn.
Llangollen and back (9 miles, 0 locks, 4 hours)
It takes around two hours to cruise to the ancient Welsh town of Llangollen, nestled in the Berwyn Mountains and home to the annual Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. You’ll pass the canalside Sun Trevor pub along the way. Once in Llangollen, you can moor up in Llangollen Basin to explore the town.
Things to see include the famous Dee Bridge built by Bishop Trevor in 1345, the Llangollen Steam Railway, Plas Newydd house and gardens (once the home of the Ladies of Llangollen), the Horseshoe Falls and Dinas Bran Castle. There are many independent shops and places to eat, including the popular Corn Mill with stunning river and mountain views.
Mid-week/4-night breaks from Trevor in North Wales
Crickheath on the Montgomery Canal and back (37 miles, 20 locks, 20 hours)
Follow the three-night route to Ellesmere but join the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction before you reach Ellesmere.
The Montgomery 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.
To check availability and book click here or call us on 0117 304 1122.
