Guides: P3, N4, L8, G20
From Whitchurch 7 nights, 4 hours per day, 4 locks
From Wrenbury 7 nights, 5.5 hours per day, 24 locks
From Blackwater Meadow 7 nights, 1.5 hours per day, 4 locks
The Llangollen Canal is arguably the most beautiful canal on the whole system and combines the gentle countryside of Shropshire and the more dramatic landscape of the Welsh border.
It boasts one of the most striking features on the UK canals - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which can be reached from both Whitchurch and Wrenbury in a week or 4 night mid week break (you will not be able to cross over the aqueduct in a 3 night weekend break). It is possible to cross in a 3, 4 or 7 night trip from Blackwater Meadow.
Unusually, this canal has a flow of 2mph as it feeds other canals, so the outbound journey will always be slower than on the way back. The last locks are at New Marton, half way between Ellesmere and Chirk. From there on, as it clings to the hillside contours, an enchanting blend of aqueducts and tunnels takes the canal, lock free, to Llangollen.
New visitor moorings in Llangollen are now available, but charges do apply and you need to arrive by 4.30pm.
Take a steam train ride from Llangollen up the Dee Valley or visit the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk
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Guides:P5, N5, L5
From Anderton to Chester, 7 nights, 5.5 hours per day, 44 locks
From Wrenbury to Chester, 7 nights, 4 hours per day, 46 locks
From Blackwater Meadow to Chester, 7 nights, 6 hours per day, 66 locks
From Whitchurch to Chester, 7 nights, 5 hours per day, 66 locks For Ellesmere Port add 1.5 hours per day and 8 locks
From Gailey 10 nights, 6.5 hours, 44 locks
On this popular countryside route the locks are well spaced for easy cruising. You can choose to travel to Chester and then retrace your steps back to the marina or continue along the Shropshire Union main line to it�s historic terminal on the River Mersey at Ellesmere Port. Mooring in Chester is within easy reach of the walled city centre with its medieval�rows� where there are a variety of shops, galleries and the majestic cathedral.
Chester Tourist Information Centre 01244 402111, Chester Zoo is just a short walk from the canal. 01244 380280. The fascinating Boat Museum 0151 355 5017 at Ellesmere Port is a few locks beyond Chester, near to the junction with the Manchester Ship Canal. The museum has an extensive collection of preserved inland waterway craft and display areas in many of the former warehouses.
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Guides: P5, N5, L5
From Anderton, 7 nights, 8 hours per day, 92 locks
From Wrenbury 10/11 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 114 locks
From Whitchurch 14 nights, 6 hours per day, 137 locks
From Blackwater Meadow, 14 nights, 7 hours per day, 137 locks
A fascinating trip that takes you through the heart of Manchester and the Peak District with its distinctive stone architecture. Moor at Castlefields to explore the city of Manchester, including Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C. 0870 4421994 and The huge Arndale shopping centre
The trip will let you enjoy glorious scenery as the Pennine Range overlooks the canal and, if time allows, detour along the Peak Forest canal to its terminus. Enjoy the stunning views from Marple and at Anderton pause to visit the fabulously restored boat lift which now operates throughout the cruising season to link the canal with the River Weaver.
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P4, N4, L10
From Gailey 7 nights, 8.5 hours per day, 94 locks
From Wrenbury 10/11 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 112 locks
From Anderton 10/11 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 102 locks
From Whitchurch 14 nights, 6 hours per day, 132 locks
A fascinating voyage of discovery and well worth the extra bit of effort! The journey takes you along the wonderfully rural Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood Junction where, passing under a distinctive roving bridge, you join the Trent and Mersey Canal heading north towards the Potteries and Peak District. The rolling Staffordshire countryside leads you to Stoke-on-Trent, the Wedgewood Visitors Centre and the impressive 2926-yard long Harecastle Tunnel.
Beyond Harecastle the 13 miles to the salt town of Middlewich sees the canal descend 31 locks to the Cheshire Plains. The short Middlewich arm links the Trent and Mersey Canal to the Shropshire Union Canal again through more glorious countryside.
The scenery on the climb up �Heartbreak Hill� to the summit at Kidsgrove is fantastic.
As well as sights of the potteries such as the Bottle Kilns at Etruria, the Wedgwood Pottery Centre at Barlaston is not to be missed. 01782 204218
The National Trust�s Shugborough Hall is a short walk from moorings at Great Haywood. 01889 881388
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P3. N4. L24
From Goytre 7 nights, 7.5 hours per day, 12 Locks
The canal meanders and threads its way through the countryside for 36 miles with a remarkable diversity of scenery and often following the magnificent River Usk.
Goytre Wharf itself, the name meaning �place in the woods�, was once used to supply coal to the nearby estate. Lime kilns remain as well as an aqueduct dating from 1812 and with its licensed restaurant providing a popular place for visitors.
Pontymoile at one end of the canal was once a place thriving with activity with its warehouses and neighbouring industry and is now a convenient mooring place for Pontypool Leisure Centre with its swimming pool and dry ski slope.
Between here and Brecon at the other end it passes close to Abergavenny, often referred to as the gateway to Wales, Crickhowell with its 13 arch bridge, Talybont -on- Usk with its four mile long reservoir, and a number of other delightful villages.
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P3. N4. L24
From Goytre 3 nights, 7 hours a day, 0 or 2 locks
You can choose a leisurely lock free cruise with fine views along the valley and by turning below the lock at Llangynidr village, or if you want the experience of locking the boat, you can turn just above the first lock.
Talybont-on�Usk & return
Guides: P3. N4. L24
From Goytre 4 nights, 7 hours a day, 10 locks
This trip takes you further up the canal climbing 5 locks and passing through the Ashford Tunnel to the village of Talybont-on-Usk where you can still see the wharf with its lime kilns and the old tram road up the side of the mountain.
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Suggested routes and timings are approximate and will be affected by available cruising hours, weather conditions and amount of traffic on the waterway.
More detailed advice will be given when the boat is collected.
When planning any river cruising within your route, do bear in mind that in some weather conditions river navigation may be restricted, so it is worth having an alternative plan.