Week long canal boat holidays from Bunbury
Norbury Junction and back (58 miles, 58 locks, 31 hours)
Cruise through the Cheshire countryside into Staffordshire to Norbury Junction and back, visiting canalside pubs and the historic market town of Market Drayton along the way.
Head south from Bunbury 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. Continue heading south, passing through the five locks at Tyrley. Cruise on through the Cheshire countryside past the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Wharf. Cross Shebdon Aqueduct and soon after you’ll pass the historic Anchor pub at Old Lea. After Grub Street, you’ll pass Loynton Moss Nature Reserve and then you’ll reach Norbury Wharf. Here you can turn and moor up. There’s a choice of places to eat, including The Junction Inn.
Llangollen and back (97 miles, 46 locks, 47 hours)
Cruise through the countryside, the Shropshire Lake District and the Welsh Mountains, passing through the historic market towns of Whitchurch and Ellesmere and cruising across the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
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. Cruise on through the Shropshire Lack District, past Whixall Moss nature reserve. 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. Continue on past 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. The National Trust’s medieval fortress Chirk Castle is upon the hill. Continue on through Chirk Tunnel then Whitehouses Tunnel. You’ll pass the Aqueduct Inn at Froncysyllte and then you’ll cross the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Dee Valley 38 metres below. You’ll pass Trevor Basin next and from there it takes around two hours to cruise to the ancient Welsh town of Llangollen. Nestled in the Berwyn Mountains, Llangollen is home to the annual Eisteddfod international music festival. You’ll pass the canalside Sun pub along the way. Once in Llangollen, you can moor up in Llangollen Basin 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.
