There’s plenty of storage on board and we offer advice on what to pack
Canal Boat Hire from Whixall
We offer a range of boat sizes with accommodation for two to 12 people.
With our Price Promise you know you’ll be paying the best price.
Cruise from Whixall – Explore the Shropshire Lake District and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Located on the peaceful Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, our Whixall Canal Boat Marina offers a tranquil starting point for cruising through North Shropshire, Staffordshire, and North Wales.
From here, you can enjoy scenic countryside cruising, visit the Shropshire Lake District, and navigate one of the UK’s most famous waterways — the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Routes & Destinations from Whixall
On the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal, Whixall Marina is deep in the Shropshire countryside
Ellesmere
Start on Friday or Saturday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Ellesmere and back
- 14 miles
- 0 locks
- 7 hours
On a short break from Whixall you cruise to this historic market town of Ellesmere in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District and back.
Chirk
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Chirk and back
- 35 miles
- 4 locks
- 16 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Shropshire Lake District to Chirk and back, home to the National Trust’s Chirk Castle.
Crickheath
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Crickheath on the Montgomery Canal and back
- 36 miles
- 16 locks
- 19 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Shropshire Lake District and transfer onto the Montgomery Canal and travel on to Crickheath and back.
Trevor
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Trevor and back
- 42 miles
- 4 locks
- 19 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Shropshire Lake District into Wales and through the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct site to Trevor and back.
Wrenbury
Start on Monday or Tuesday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Wrenbury and back
- 26 miles
- 20 locks
- 17.5 hours
On a four-night mid-week break you can cruise through the Staffordshire countryside along the Llangollen Canal to historic Whitchurch and Wrenbury and back.
Nantwich
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Nantwich and back
- 42 miles
- 38 locks
- 28 hours
On a week’s break you can cruise the Llangollen Canal past Whitchurch and Wrenbury and transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal to reach the historic market town of Nantwich.
Llangollen
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Llangollen and back
- 52 miles
- 4 locks
- 24 hours
On a week’s break you travel through the Shropshire Lake District, the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct site and on to the historic town of Llangollen nestled in the Berwyn Mountains and back.
Chester
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
Chester and back
- 71 miles
- 60 locks
- 42 hours
On a 10-day or two-week break you can cruise through the Shropshire countryside along the Llangollen Canal and transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal to the ancient City of Chester and back.
The Four Counties Ring
Start on Monday or Tuesday, Friday or Saturday
Llangollen Canal, North Wales
Route details:
The Four Counties Ring
- 137 miles
- 132 locks
- 86 hours
On a two-week break you can complete the popular Four Counties Ring, cruising 137 miles and passing through 132 locks in around 86 cruising hours.
Luxury Boats available at Whixall Canal Boat Marina
We have 3 luxury narrowboats for hire at Whixall, ranging from boats for up to 4 or 6 people.
Hawke
This Luxury 65ft Admiral Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Aquila
This Luxury 65ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Perseus
This Luxury 65ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Other Boats available at Whixall Canal Boat Marina
There’s a great choice of narrowboats available at Whixall, ranging from boats for 2 to 12 people.
Golden Sunrise
This Premium 57ft Firth Class narrowboat sleeps 2 people.
Romney
This Premium 48ft Weir Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Grafton
This Premium 48ft Weir Class narrowboat sleeps up to 4 people.
Oracle
This Premium 65ft Swan Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Braithwaite
This Premium 67ft Bond Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Garnet
This Premium 60ft Gem Class narrowboat sleeps up to 6 people.
Mayfly
This Standard 62ft Trent II Class narrowboat sleeps up to 8 people.
Gemini
This Premium 67ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 10 people.
Andromeda
This Premium 69ft Constellation Class narrowboat sleeps up to 12 people.
Day boat
Our day boat Julia at Whixall has space for up to 10 people. Our day boats are family and pet friendly. Prices start at £99.
How to find us
Our Whixall base is on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire.
Anglo Welsh, Whixall Marina, Alders Lane, Whixall, Shropshire SY13 2QS
Tel 01948 880996
Discover Canal Boat Hire from Whixall Marina
Looking for canal boat hire in Shropshire? Our Whixall base is ideal for those seeking peaceful, nature-filled routes with plenty of local charm.
From this location, you can:
- Cruise west toward the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Journey along the Llangollen Canal through charming towns and over aqueducts before reaching the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, where you’ll glide high above the River Dee with panoramic valley views. - Explore the Shropshire Lake District
Discover a landscape of quiet meres and rich wildlife. Moor up near Ellesmere, Colemere, and Whitchurch, where you’ll find waterside walks, local shops, and friendly moorings. - Extend your journey into Staffordshire or Wales
Continue cruising through rural Staffordshire, or head further into North Wales to enjoy a varied, cross-county adventure on the water.
Explore at Your Own Pace
- 🌿 Enjoy peaceful countryside cruising
The route from Whixall is calm, lock-light, and rich in wildlife — perfect for first-timers or those wanting a slow-paced, relaxing break. - 🌉 Navigate engineering landmarks
Include Chirk Aqueduct, Chirk Tunnel, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in your itinerary — all impressive highlights of the Llangollen Canal. - 🏞️ Visit market towns and waterside villages
Stop off in places like Ellesmere, Llangollen, or Wrenbury, each offering unique character and places to eat, shop, and explore. - 🍻 Relax at canalside pubs
Unwind at traditional Shropshire pubs along the way, many with garden moorings and home-cooked food just steps from the water.
Book Your Canal Boat Holiday from Whixall
Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer exploration, Whixall Canal Boat Marina is a quiet yet well-connected base for discovering the best of Shropshire, North Wales, and the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Start your journey from Whixall and cruise through some of Britain’s most peaceful landscapes — from meres and meadows to a World Heritage aqueduct.
Download a Brochure
Our brochure includes information on our boats, routes, destinations and prices. There are also tips for canal boat beginners, advice on what to pack and a list of our locations offering day boat hire.
FAQs
How do canal locks work?
A lock is a chamber with gates at either end. By emptying or filling the chamber with water, boats can move up or down a canal. With the lock gates closed, open the sluices (paddles) to let the water in or out. When the water level under your boat is the same as the level it’s moving to, you can move your boat in or out of the lock.
How long does it take to go through a lock?
It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to go through a lock.
Will my narrowboat have heating?
All our narrowboats have gas central heating with radiators throughout for cosy year-round canal boat holidays. Some of our boats also have a multi-fuel stove.
