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Routes from Whixall
Four Counties Ring
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
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The Route
14 nights 
137 miles 
86 hours 
132 locks 
All levels
Four Counties Ring from Whixall
Prees Branch From Whixall Marina, you’ll cruise for almost a mile down the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, negotiating 2 lift bridges along the way.
Prees Junction You’ll transfer onto the Llangollen Canal at Prees Junction. Turn right and you can moor up close to Whixall Moss Roving Bridge to visit Whixall Moss, part of the Fen’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve.
Lift Bridges As you continue cruising through the Shropshire countryside, you’ll encounter 4 lift bridges before you reach Whitchurch. Just after the 3rd lift bridge, you’ll pass the Hadley Farm Cafe. To the right you can see Pan Castle.
Whitchurch Just before you reach the Whitchurch Arm, you can moor up to explore the picturesque historic market town of Whitchurch, once famous for its clock-making. There are half-timbered buildings, way-marked circular walks, independent shops and restaurants, and the award-winning Black Bear pub.
Grindley Brook Locks Close to a mile after Whitchurch you’ll reach the 6 locks at Grindley Brook and canalside Horse & Jockey pub.
Marbury Nearly 4 miles and 3 locks later you’ll reach Marbury Lock. There are visitor moorings just before the lock where you can moor up and walk into the village of Marbury, with its Big Mere, Little Mere and Swan Inn.
Wrenbury Just under 2 miles later you’ll reach Wrenbury Frith Lift Bridge and then the entrance to Wrenbury Marina, where you can turn the boat around. The centre of the village is a conservation area with a range of historic houses and St Margaret’s Church overlooking the village green. There is a Post Office with general stores and the canalside Dusty Miller in a converted corn mill.
Baddiley Locks About 1.5 miles on from Wrenbury, you’ll pass through the 3 locks at Baddiley.
Swanley locks Almost 1.5 miles on from Baddiley Locks you’ll reach the first of two locks at Swanley.
Hurleston Junction Less than 2 miles later you’ll pass through the 4 locks at Hurleston, taking you onto Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. Turn right and head south down the Shropshire Union Canal through a couple of bridges before reaching Nantwich Basin.
Nantwich The historic market town of Nantwich was once the centre of the salt mining industry. You can find out more about it at the Nantwich Museum. Nantwich has a great choice of places to eat, including the Wickstead Arms.
Hack Green Two miles on from Nantwich, you’ll reach the 2 locks at Hack Green. Moor up after the locks and you can walk to the fascinating Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum.
Audlem Three miles later you’ll reach the top of the 15 locks at Audlem. And the iconic Shroppie Fly pub is next to Lock 13.
Adderley Locks A mile after the last of the 15 locks at Audlem, you’ll reach the top of the Adderley flight of 5 locks.
Betton Cutting Just over a mile after Adderley Locks, you’ll enter Betting Cutting, one of a series of deep canal cuttings, full of vegetation and wildlife.
Market Drayton Famous for its gingerbread, the historic town of Market Drayton has a great choice of places to eat, drink and shop, including regular markets.
Tyrley Locks About one mile outside Market Drayton, you’ll reach the flight of 5 locks at Tyrley.
Woodeaves Cutting Soon after Tyrley Locks you’ll enter the atmospheric Woodeaves Cutting. Full of vegetation and away from the modern world, it’s like stepping back in time.
Goldstone Wharf Just outside Woodeaves Cutting you’ll reach Goldstone Common and the canalside Wharf Tavern.
Cadbury’s Wharf Three miles later you’ll pass the former Cadbury’s Wharf at Knighton, where milk was once processed into chocolate crumb and then transported by canal boat to Cadbury’s main site at Bournville.
Shebdon Aqueduct Less than a mile later you’ll cross Shebdon Aqueduct and you’ll pass the canalside Wharf Inn.
Loynton Moss Almost two miles later you’ll enter Grub Street Cutting and you’ll pass the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Loynton Moss Nature Reserve.
Norbury Wharf Just over a mile later you’ll reach Norbury Junction, home of the popular Junction Inn.
Gnosall Next you’ll reach the village of Gnosall with its canalside Boat Inn and soon after you’ll go through Cowley Tunnel.
Wheaton Ashton At Wheaton Ashton you’ll find the Hartley Arms and soon after you’ll cross the Stretton Aqueduct.
Brewood This pretty village has a choice of pubs, including the canalside Bridge Inn. After Brewood you’ll go under the M54 motorway and pass close to Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve.
Autherley Junction Go through Autherley Junction Stop Lock and you’ll reach the southern end of ‘The Shroppie’. Transfer onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Gailey At Gailey you can moor up and walk into the village to visit the Spread Eagle pub.
Penkridge This historic market town has a choice of shops and pubs, including the Littleton Arms.
Great Haywood Junction Soon after cruising through the beautiful Tixall Wide lake you’ll reach Great Haywood Junction, close to the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. Turn left and head north up the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Weston You’ll cruise through the village of Weston with The Woolpack and Saracen’s Head pubs. Soon after you’ll enjoy views of the imposing Sandon Hall and Grade II* listed Pitt’s Column.
Stone At Stone you’ll find a great choice of places to eat and drink. There are visitor moorings at Westbridge Park, opposite the Swan pub, and a little further along past the Star pub on the left.
Barlaston The popular Plume of Feathers pub is canalside at Barlaston.
World of Wedgewood 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.
Stoke-on-Trent Just under 5 miles later, after travelling through the Stoke flights of 5 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.
Harecastle Tunnel Continuing north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll need to book your passage to be able to pass through the mighty 1¾-mile long Harecastle Tunnel.
Harding’s Wood Junction 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.
Rode Heath 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 3, then it’s the 2 Pierpoint Locks, and then there are 2 more at Hassall Green, just before the canal passes beneath the M6 motorway.
Wheelock At Wheelock, where there’s a choice of pubs, including the canalside Cheshire Cheese, and 8 more locks to negotiate. From Wheelock it’s a 1-mile walk into the historic town of Sandbach, with regular markets, a Waitrose supermarket and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Sandbach Flashes Next there’s a 3-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.
Middlewich 4 miles and another 4 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 4 locks along its 10-mile length. Along the way, the Badger Inn at Church Minshull is a short walk from the canal.
Barbridge Junction At Barbridge Junction, where you’ll find the Olde Barbridge Inn, transfer back onto the Shropshire Union Canal main line. Soon after you’ll reach Hurleston Junction where you’ll have completed the Four Counties Ring and can re-join the Llangollen Canal and return to Whixall.
FAQs
What are the best routes for canal boat holiday beginners?
Anglo Welsh offers a variety of beginner-friendly routes across the UK. From the historic beauty of the Kennet & Avon Canal to the scenic Llangollen Canal, there’s something for everyone. Routes without too many locks tend to be best for beginners. Our team can recommend a route tailored to your interests and the duration of your holiday.
Where can I moor overnight and what does it cost?
There are plenty of places to moor your canal boat for free along towpaths, making overnight stops flexible and stress-free. If you prefer additional facilities like water, electricity, or secure mooring, some marinas charge a small fee. Our team can provide route advice, including the best mooring spots along your journey.
How easy is it to operate locks?
Operating locks is a fun part of the canal boat holiday experience, and it’s easier than you might think. During your handover, we’ll explain how to safely work locks. You’ll quickly get the hang of it, and there’s always help at busy locks if you need it.
