Canal boat holiday destinations from Blackwater Meadow, on the Llangollen Canal

From our narrowboat hire base at Blackwater Meadow in Shropshire, you can easily reach the 11-mile stretch of the Llangollen Canal designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The 41-mile long Llangollen Canal connects the River Dee in Llangollen with Shropshire Union Canal at Hurleston Junction. It takes boaters through the Welsh Mountains and the Shropshire Lake District. In 2009 an 11-mile section of the Llangollen was designated a World Heritage Site, including the extraordinary Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Chirk Aqueduct. There are 21 locks on the Llangollen Canal and three tunnels.

3-night destinations from Blackwater Meadow

Chirk Marina and back (23 miles, 4 locks, 10.5 hours)

Head west through the Shropshire countryside, soon passing Frankton Junction where the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal. Go through the two locks at New Marton. At Gledrid you’ll pass the canalside Poacher’s Pocket pub. Then when you reach Chirk, you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the Bridge Inn. The National Trust’s Chirk Castle is a 30-minute walk away. Next you’ll cross the impressive Chirk Aqueduct running alongside Chirk Viaduct and taking you across the border into Wales. Then you’ll go through the 459-yard long Chirk Tunnel. Turn the boat around in the winding hole just before Red Bridge No.24, close to Chirk Marina. Return to Blackwater Meadow.

Llangollen Basin and back (37 miles, 4 locks, 16 hours)

Follow the route to Chirk Marina and continue on along the Llangollen Canal. Go through the 191-yard long Whitehouses Tunnel. Soon after you’ll reach the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the Llangollen Canal 38 metres high above the River Dee Valley. After the aqueduct, you’ll pass the Canal & River Trust’s Trevor Basin Visitor Centre. From there, it takes around two hours to reach Llangollen, with some very narrow one-way stretches. You can moor up in Llangollen Basin to explore this historic market town, including the Llangollen Steam Railway, Horseshoe Falls and the remains of Dinas Bran Castle. Return to Blackwater Meadow.

4-night destinations from Blackwater Meadow

Wrenbury and back (38 miles, 20 locks, 21 hours)

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

Head east along the Llangollen Canal, cruising through stunning Shropshire countryside.  When you reach Ellesmere, you can moor up on the Ellesmere Arm to visit this historic market town in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, with its Mere, castle ruins and great places to eat out.  Next go through the 87-yard long Ellesmere Tunnel and then you’ll pass by a series of lakes, including Colemere.

When you reach Whixall Moss Junction you can moor up to explore Whixall Moss, part of the Fens, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve. You’ll then go through 4 lift bridges and past Hadley Farm Café before reaching the Whitchurch Arm. Moor up and take the 25-minute walk into the historic town of Whitchurch, famous for its clock-making.

You’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping at the Grindley Brook 3-lock staircase. A little further on at Marbury Lock, you can moor up to walk into the village of Marbury and visit the Swan Inn. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and a shop in the village, which is a listed conservation area. There are also lots of walking routes to enjoy. Turn the boat around and return to Blackwater Meadow.

7-night destinations from Blackwater Meadow

Llangollen Basin, Whitchurch and back (62 miles, 4 locks, 27 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Llangollen Basin then return back to Blackwater Meadow. Continue heading east. When you reach Ellesmere, you can moor up on the Ellesmere Arm to visit this historic market town in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, with its Mere, castle ruins and great places to eat out.

Next go through the 87-yard long Ellesmere Tunnel and then you’ll pass by a series of lakes, including Colemere. When you reach Whixall Moss Junction you can moor up to explore Whixall Moss, part of the Fens, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve. You’ll then go through 3 lift bridges and past Hadley Farm Café. Turn the boat around at Hassells Winding Hole and moor up to walk into into the historic town of Whitchurch, famous for its clock-making. Return to Blackwater Meadow.

*Please note the canal is currently closed beyond Bridge 31A Whitchurch Bypass Bridge due to a breach.

Llangollen, Wrenbury and back (76 miles, 24 locks, 37.5 hours)

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

Follow the 3-night route to Llangollen Basin then return back to Blackwater Meadow. Continue heading east. When you reach Ellesmere, you can moor up on the Ellesmere Arm to visit this historic market town in the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, with its Mere, castle ruins and great places to eat out.  Next go through the 87-yard long Ellesmere Tunnel and then you’ll pass by a series of lakes, including Colemere. When you reach Whixall Moss Junction you can moor up to explore Whixall Moss, part of the Fens, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve.

You’ll then go through 4 lift bridges and past Hadley Farm Café before reaching the Whitchurch Arm. Moor up and take the 25-minute walk into the historic town of Whitchurch, famous for its clock-making. You’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping at the Grindley Brook 3-lock staircase. A little further on at Marbury Lock, you can moor up to walk into the village of Marbury and visit the Swan Inn. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and a shop in the village, which is a listed conservation area. There are also lots of walking routes to enjoy. Turn the boat around and return to Blackwater Meadow.

Audlem and back (67 miles, 42 locks, 36.5 hours)

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

Follow the route to Wrenbury and continue cruising through the Shropshire countryside. Cruise past Wrenbury Hall and through the Baddiley Locks, passing through rich farmland and attractive canalside gardens until you reach the four Hurleston Locks. At Hurleston Junction head south along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. Cruise across Nantwich Aqueduct, enjoying views of the historic town.

Moor up near the bridge and walk into Nantwich, once the centre of the salt mining industry. There you’ll find some fine Tudor buildings, the Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse and a choice of places to eat out and shop. After the two locks at Hack Green you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. Continue on lock free and cross over Moss Hall Aqueduct. Turn the boat around in the winding hole and then moor up to walk into Audlem, home of the iconic Shroppie Fly canalside pub. Return to Blackwater Meadow.

10 or 11-night destinations from Blackwater Meadow

Chester and back (80 miles, 52 locks, 42.5 hours)

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

Follow the 7-night route to Wrenbury and continue cruising on through the Shropshire countryside.  Cruise past Wrenbury Hall and through the Baddiley Locks, passing through rich farmland and attractive canalside gardens until you reach the four Hurleston Locks. At Hurleston Junction head north along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. You’ll soon pass Barbridge Junction, home of the canalside Olde Barbridge Inn. Then you’ll go through the 2 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 and famous Chester Rows shops.

Llangollen Basin, Chester and back (118 miles, 56 locks, 59 hours)

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

Follow the 3-night route to Llangollen and then the 7-night route to Chester.

14-night destinations from Blackwater Meadow

The Four Counties Ring (161 miles, 132 locks, 90 hours)

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

The Four Counties Ring offers an unforgettable cruise through the counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and West Midlands. Follow the 7-night route to Audlem and continue heading south along the Shropshire Union Canal. There are 15 locks to go through at Audlem and you’ll pass the canalside Shroppie Fly pub. When you reach Adderley, there are five more locks before you reach the historic town of Market Drayton, famous for its gingerbread men. You can moor up before bridge 63 and take the 20 minute into the heart of Market Drayton to visit its Buttercross market place, shops and restaurants.

There are five locks to go through at Tyrley. Next you’ll go through the atmospheric Woodseaves Cutting, full of vegetation and wildlife. You’ll then pass the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Common. Then you’ll pass Knighton and Cadbury’s Wharf, from where chocolate crumb used to be transported to Bournville. When you reach Shebdon, you can visit the canalside Wharf pub. Soon after you’ll pass the canalside Anchor Inn and then you’ll go through Grub Street Cutting.

Next you’ll pass under the iconic ‘High Bridge’ and you’ll pass close by to Loynton Moss Nature Reserve. When you reach Norbury Wharf you’ll find the canalside Norbury Junction pub.  Continue heading south along the Shropshire Union Canal. Soon after Norbury, you’ll reach Gnosall village with its canalside Boat Inn. You’ll then go through the short 81-yard long Cowley Tunnel. The canal then continues lock-free through scenic countryside and woodland.

When you reach the village of Wheaton Aston, you’ll find the Harley Arms. Next you’ll cross over Stretton Aqueduct and then you’ll really the pretty village of Brewood. Here there’s a choice of cafes, shops and pubs, including the Lesters Arms gastropub.

When you reach Autherley Junction, turn left and head east onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Next you’ll pass through Cross Green and at Gailey you’ll find the Spread Eagle pub in the village. Then you’ll go through the historic market town of Penkridge, with shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. After passing through the beautiful ‘Tixall Wide’ section of the canal where it becomes a lake, you reach Great Haywood Junction.

Head north up the Trent & Mersey Canal through the Trent Valley woodlands and meadows. When you reach the historic market town of Stone, you’ll find a great choice of places to eat out and shop. Continuing north, at Barlaston you can stop at the popular canalside Plume of Feathers pub.  You’ll pass the World of Wedgewood just before you reach Stoke-on-Trent.

Next you’ll reach the 1.66 mile long Harecastle Tunnel, which has set opening hours. Information is listed on the Canal & River Trust website. Soon after you’ll pass Hardings Wood Junction and then there are 23 locks to go through before you get to Weelock, home of the Cheshire Cheese Inn. These Cheshire Locks are also known as Heartbreak Hill.

When you reach Middlewich turn left onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and at Barbridge Junction head south to Hurleston Junction to get back onto the Llangollen Canal and return to Blackwater Meadow.

The Cheshire Ring (170 miles, 138 locks, 96 hours)

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

Follow the 7-night route to Wrenbury. Transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal mainline at Hurleston Junction. Then at Barbridge Junction, home of the Olde Barbridge Inn, transfer onto the Middlewich Branch. Cruise on through the Cheshire countryside and moor up after Bridge 12 to visit the Badger Inn in Church Minshull. When you reach Middlewich, go through Wardle Lock and moor up to explore this ancient town, famous for its salt industry.

Next head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through the 31 Cheshire Locks (also known as Heartbreak Hill) to Harding’s Wood Junction.

Transfer onto the Macclesfield Canal and cruise on through the Cheshire countryside and into Congleton. Go through the 12 locks at Bosley and then join the Peak Forest Canal at Marple Junction. Go through the 16 locks at Marple and then cross the impressive Marple Aqueduct.

The scenery becomes more urban as you approach Manchester. At Dunkenfield Junction (also known as Portland Basin) you’ll join the Ashton Canal taking you into central Manchester. At Ducie Street you’ll transfer onto the Rochdale Canal and then you’ll join the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield.

Cruise on south to Lymm, where there’s a great choice of pubs, including the canalside Golden Fleece. You’ll enjoy great views of the Pennines along this stretch. Next you’ll re-join the Trent & Mersey Canal at Preston Brook Tunnel (1,239 yards). You’ll go through Dutton Stop Lock and then you’ll pass Acton Bridge Marina. The next two tunnels – Salterford and Barnton – are one-way only so they have strict timings.

Soon after you’ll pass the Anderton Boat Lift, also known as ‘The Cathedral of the Canals’. You can moor up to explore the Canal & River Trust’s Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and enjoy a meal at the Stanley Arms. Cruising on along the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll pass the Lion Salt Works and Salt Barge pub at Marston and the Old Broken Cross pub at Rudheath.

When you reach Middlewich, you can transfer back onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. At Barbridge Junction, transfer back onto the Shropshire Union Canal main line. At Hurleston Junction get back onto the Llangollen Canal and return to Blackwater Meadow.