Acton Bridge

Canal boat holiday destinations from Acton Bridge, on the Trent & Mersey Canal

Our canal boat hire base at Acton Bridge near Northwich in Cheshire is perfectly placed to explore the waterways of the north west, reaching destinations such as the Anderton Boat Lift, Middlewich and Manchester.
The 93-mile long Trent & Mersey Canal runs from Preston Brook and the Bridgewater Canal to Shardlow and the Trent Navigation. It takes boaters through a range of landscapes, including the Cheshire plains and the industrial Potteries. There are 76 locks along its length, including 26 locks spread over seven miles in Cheshire, also known as ‘Heartbreak Hill’.

3-night destinations from Acton Bridge

Lymm and back (29 miles, 2 locks, 11 hours)
Cruise north along the Trent & Mersey Canal through ‘Dutton Stop Lock’ then the 1,239-yard long Preston Brook Tunnel. When you reach Preston Brook you’ll transfer onto the Bridgewater Canal. Cruise on through the Cheshire countryside towards Higher Walton, Stockton Heath and Grappenhall; passing 4 pubs en route. Stop at the pretty canalside town of Lymm where there’s a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Golden Fleece. Turn around a little way after Bridge 23 and return.

Middlewich and back (27 miles, 8 locks, 13 hours)
Cruise south through the 424-yard long Saltersford Tunnel, then the 572-yard long Barnton Tunnel. Both have strict timings for tunnel entry as they’re only wide enough for one boat. Moor-up to visit the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and nearby Stanley Arms pub. Next day continue cruising south. You’ll pass the Lion Salt Works and Salt Barge pub at Marston and the Old Broken Cross pub at Rudheath. As you approach the ancient town of Middlewich go through 4 locks, with The Big Lock pub next to the first, Middlewich Big Lock. Famous for its salt making, Middlewich was founded by the Romans in AD70. There various are shops, pubs and food outlets within walking distance of the canal. Turn around just after King’s Lock and return to Acton Bridge.

*Please note the Anderton Boat Lift is currently closed, but the visitor centre is open as usual.

4-night destinations from Acton Bridge

Castle Quay (Manchester) and back (54 miles, 2 locks, 18 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a breach on the Bridgewater Canal.

Follow the 3-night route to Lymm and continue on, passing through Stockton Heath and then Sale. The canal becomes more urban as you approach central Manchester. The Bridgewater Canal then passes Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, then Salford Quays and then the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. When you arrive at Castle Quay, you can moor up to explore the city, including Chinatown and the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Barbridge and back (42 miles, 16 locks, 21 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Middlewich and turn onto the Middlewich arm of the Shropshire Union Canal. Cruise on through the Cheshire countryside, passing through Church Minshull. You can moor up and take a walk into the village to visit the Badger Inn. When you reach Barbridge Junction, turn the boat around and then moor up to visit the Old Barbridge Inn.

Nantwich and back (55 miles, 16 locks, 24 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Barbridge Junction and head south down the Shropshire Union Canal main line. You’ll soon pass Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. At Northwich, the canal crosses a stunning cast-iron aqueduct, with great views across the historic market town. You can moor up to Nantwich, once the centre of the salt mining industry. There you’ll find some fine Tudor buildings and the Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse.
7-night destinations from Acton Bridge

Chester and back (78 miles, 38 locks, 37 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Barbridge Junction and turn right to head north up the lovely Shropshire Union Canal. You’ll go through two high-rise staircase locks at Bunbury, then 4 spread-out locks through the village of Beeston, home of the canalside Shady Oak pub. You can moor up to visit English Heritage’s Beeston Castle & Woodland Park. Continuing on through the Cheshire countryside, you’ll pass through Waverton, site of the Battle of Rowton Moor. Then you’ll reach the village of Christleton, with its Cheshire Cat canalside pub. Next the canal descends through five locks into the centre of Chester. You can turn your boat in the winding hole close to Chester Cathedral (between Bridges 123D and 123E). Then moor up to explore the city, including its Roman City Walls.

Burscough and back (110 miles, 18 locks, 41 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a breach on the Bridgewater Canal.

Follow the 3-night route to Lymm and continue along the Bridgewater Canal through Stockton Heath and Sale. The canal becomes more suburban approaching Stretford and central Manchester. Stay left at Waters Meeting Junction. Go across Barton Swing Aqueduct (one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways), which takes you over Manchester Ship Canal, and on to the Leigh Branch. Cruising north-west you’ll go through Worsley, Astley Green and Leigh. At Wigan Junction take a left, cruising west past Wallgate and Crooke. At Appley Bridge you’ll find the Wheatsheaf pub in the village and The Boathouse east of Bridge 42. Next you’ll reach the village of Parbold, home of the Yours is the Earth Cafe. When you arrive at Burscourgh you can moor up to explore this historic West Lancashire village. You’ll find the Blue Mallard at Burscough Wharf. Turn around before Great Score Swing Bridge (No. 30) and return to Acton Bridge.

Ellesmere Port and back (95 miles, 44 locks, 44 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Chester and continue cruising north along the Shropshire Union Canal. When you reach Cauhall Bridge (No 134) you can moor up and take a half-a-mile walk to Chester Zoo. When you reach the Canal & River Trust’s National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port you can moor up to visit the museum. Occupying the old dock buildings of Ellesmere Port, which originally linked the Shropshire Union Canal to the River Mersey, the Museum tells the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked on them. There are 19 Grade II listed buildings to explore, including the Porters Row cottages built for dock workers in 1833, the forge and stables, all bought to life with the help of costumed interpreters and volunteers maintaining the historic boats and engines.

10 or 11-night destinations from Acton Bridge

Marple and back (98 miles, 88 locks, 52 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Castle Quay and Castlefield Junction in Manchester, where you’ll transfer onto the Rochdale Canal. Go through the ‘Rochdale 9’ locks through Manchester’s vibrant night life and Chinese quarters and under 111 Picadilly. At Ducie Street Junction you’ll transfer onto the Ashton Canal and at Dukinfield Junction (also known as Portland Basin), you’ll transfer onto the Peak Forest Canal. You’ll go through Woodley Tunnel (176 yards) and then Hyde Bank Tunnel (308 yards) and then across Marple Aqueduct. This three-arched stone aqueduct towers almost 100ft above the River Goyt. Turn before the Marple flight of 16 locks and return to Acton Bridge.

The Cheshire Ring (97 miles, 92 locks, 56 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a breach on the Bridgewater Canal.

Follow the 10/11-night route to Marple and continue through the 16 locks. At Marple Junction, transfer onto the Macclesfield Canal. You’ll go through Macclesfield and then the 12 locks at Bosley. Next you’ll go through Congleton and then you’ll cross Red Bull Aqueduct. At Hardings Wood Junction, you’ll transfer onto the Trent & Mersey Canal. Here the canal drops towards the Cheshire Plain through a heavily locked section, known as ‘Heartbreak Hill’. Around two hours of gentle cruising through the countryside after the locks, you’ll reach the Anderton Boat Lift, soon after returning to Acton Bridge.

14-night destinations from Acton Bridge

Llangollen and back (139 miles, 58 locks, 69 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.

Follow the 4-night route to Nantwich as far as Hurleston Junction and transfer onto the Llangollen Canal. From there 4 locks rise upwards and the canal passes Swanley Bridge Marina and 5 further locks before you reach Wrenbury. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and a mechanical lift bridge operated by a key (provided). Between Wrenbury and Grindley Brook there are 7 locks. You’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping at the Grindley Brook 3-lock staircase. At Whitchurch, you can moor up and take the 25 minute walk into this historic market town, famous for its clock-making and award-winning Black Bear pub. Cruise on, entering the beautiful Shropshire Lake District, with a series of Meres (lakes) to see and visit along the way. There’s a short tunnel to go through just before the historic market town of Ellesmere. Turn right to moor up and visit the town, with its Mere and Boathouse restaurant. Continue on towards Llangollen and you’ll pass the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction. At Chirk you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the Bridge Inn. And the National Trust’s Chirk Castle is a 30-minute walk away. You’ll now be cruising along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage site. You’ll go through Chirk Tunnel and then the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct.

Next you’ll reach Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards) and then the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the canal 38 metres high above the River Dee. Next, at Trevor take a sharp left-hand turn under a bridge to continue towards Llangollen. This next part of the waterway becomes very narrow and at times is only wide enough for one boat, so you’ll need to send a crew member ahead to check for oncoming traffic. At Llangollen Basin you can moor up to visit this pretty traditional Welsh town, with the River Dee running through the centre. Turn at Llangollen Basin to return.

The Four Counties Ring (137 miles, 102 locks, 75 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Follow the 3-night route to Middlewich and continue cruising south along the Trent & Mersey Canal. The canal climbs 4 locks before Wheelock, home of the Cheshire Cheese Inn. The George Inn at Sandback is a one-mile walk from Wheelock. Continuing on, there are 23 locks between Wheelock and Hardings Wood Junction. South of Hardings Woods lies the 1.66 mile long Harecastle Tunnel, which has set opening hours. Information is listed on the Canal & River Trust website. Soon you’ll reach Stoke-on-Trent, famous for its ‘potteries’. Continuing south, at Barlaston you’ll find the canalside Plume of Feathers pub. Soon after you’ll reach the historic market town of Stone, with a choice of places to eat and shop. South of Stone lies the Trent Valley which runs through woodland and meadows. At Great Haywood Junction turn right onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll soon arrive at ‘Tixall Wide’ lake. Then you’ll go through the historic market town of Penkridge, with shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. Further along at Gailey Wharf with its toll-keeper’s watch tower, you’ll find the Spread Eagle pub in the village. Next you pass the disused Hatherton Branch and after Cross Green you’ll reach Autherley Junction. Turn right onto the Shropshire Union Canal and cruise lock free through the countryside.

Moor up before bridge 14 to visit the pretty village of Brewood, where there’s a choice of cafés, shops and pubs, including The Lesters Arms gastropub. Cruise north across Stretton Aqueduct and through one lock at Wheaton Aston, home of the Hartley Arms. The canal then continues lock-free through scenic countryside and woodland. You’ll go through the short Cowley Tunnel (81 yards), then past the edge of Gnosall village with its canalside Boat Inn. Next you’ll cruise along Shelmore Embankment and then you’ll reach Norbury Wharf with its canalside Norbury Junction pub. Soon after Norbury, you’ll pass under the iconic ‘High Bridge’ and you’ll pass Loynton Moss Nature Reserve. Next you’ll go through the atmospheric Grub Street Cutting and then past the canalside Anchor Inn. At Shebdon you can visit the canalside Wharf pub. Soon after Shebdon, you’ll pass Knighton and Cadbury’s Wharf, from where chocolate crumb used to be transported to Bourneville. You’ll pass the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Common and then you’ll go through Woodseaves Cutting, full of vegetation and wildlife. There are five locks to go through at Tyrley. Next you’ll reach the historic town of Market Drayton, famous for its gingerbread men. There are five locks at Adderley, then 15 locks leading to the village of Audlem. There you’ll find the canalside ‘Shroppie Fly’ pub. Just before Hack Green locks you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. Before crossing over Nantwich Aqueduct, moor up to explore this historic market town, where there’s a great choice of places to eat and drink and you can walk to Dorfold Hall Jacobean Mansion. A couple of miles later you’ll reach Hurleston Junction, where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Llangollen Canal. At Barbridge Junction, transfer back onto the Trent & Mersey Canal to return to Acton Bridge.

The South Pennine Ring (130 miles, 218 locks, 92 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a breach on the Bridgewater Canal.

Follow the 4-night route to Castle Quay in Manchester. Once onto the Rochdale Canal you start to make your way up through large lock flights with spectacular views of the Pennines, passing abandoned cotton mills. There is a mixture of industry and housing, along with leafy countryside leading you to the Summit. Then you’ll start the descent through a further flight of locks down to the town of Todmorden. Moor up to explore Todmorden with its Victorian Town Hall, lively market and many places to eat and drink, including The Staff of Life Inn. Further along you’ll meet the Calder & Hebble Navigation at the historic basin at Sowerby Bridge. At the junction cruise onto the Huddersfield Canals* (Broad & Narrow), with 83 locks to through.

You’ll then arrive at the Marsden end of the 3-mile long Standedge Tunnel, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. The tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest in Britain. To go through it, you’ll need to pre-book with the Canal & River Trust. After emerging at the Diggle end of the tunnel, you’ll drop down to Ashton-under-Lyne Junction, where the Huddersfield Narrow meets the Ashton Canal. Then cruise on to Dukinfield Junction (also known as Portland Basin), where the Ashton Canal meets the Peak Forest Canal. Continue on through Manchester back to Ducie Street Junction to get back onto the Rochdale Canal. Rejoin the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield Junction and heading back to Acton Bridge.
*Please note, as the locks are shorter east of Huddersfield, the maximum length of boat is 58ft to complete this ring.