Narrowboat holidays from Gailey on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

From Gailey on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal near Stafford you can easily reach the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Potteries, and the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal. On a 10/11-night holiday you can cruise the Black Country Ring and on a two-week break you can cruise the Four Counties Ring.

The 46-mile-long Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal connects the Shropshire Union Canal at Autherley Junction, with the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood Junction. There are 43 locks along its length.

3-night destinations from Gailey

Brewood and back (25 miles, 2 locks, 11 hours)

Cruise south-west down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal towards Autherley Junction. You’ll go through Cross Green and when you reach Autherley Junction, transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal and head north. Two hours later you’ll reach the historic village of Brewood, where you’ll find a choice of cafes, shops and pubs, including the Lesters Arms gastropub. You can also visit Speedwell Castle in the market square. Turn at Brewood Wharf to return to Gailey.

The Bratch and back (29 miles, 18 locks, 16 hours)
Cruise south-west down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal towards Autherley Junction. You’ll go through Cross Green and when you reach Autherley Junction turn towards Aldersley Junction. Stay on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and go all the way down to Compton, where you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the Oddfellows. Further south you’ll go through 2 locks before arriving at Wightwick. There you can moor up to visit Wightwick Manor & Gardens and visit a choice of pubs, including the Fieldhouse Inn. Go through 3 more locks before you reach The Bratch – a set of 3 staircase locks that raise the canal by over 30 feet. You can turn the boat at The Bratch Winding Hole and return to Gailey.

Great Haywood and back (25 miles, 24 locks, 15 hours)
*Please note this route isn’t currently available due to the breach at Penkridge.

Navigate north-east towards Penkridge. There’s is a waterfront pub near the Cross Keys Bridge as you approach the market town. Stop off just above Penkridge Lock to explore the town, where you’ll find shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. Continue cruising along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and moor near Radford Bridge 98 to walk into Stafford (approx. 1 mile). Pubs in Stafford include the Knot & Plough, and places to visit include The Ancient High House, the largest remaining timber framed house in England.  At Milford you pass over the river on an aqueduct, an early structure by James Brindley. Further along you’ll reach Tixall Wide Lake and then Great Haywood Junction. Turn the boat around at the junction and moor up to visit Great Haywood, where there’s a farm shop and café, and the Clifford Arms pub. You can also visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate.

4-night destinations from Gailey

Norbury Wharf and back (46 miles, 4 locks, 19.5 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Brewood and continue heading up the Shropshire Union Canal. Cruise across the 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. Turn the boat around and return to Gailey.

7-night destinations from Gailey

Market Drayton and back (68 miles, 14 locks, 30 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Norbury and continue heading north up the Shropshire Union Canal. Soon 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. Moor up at Market Drayton visitors’ moorings and walk into the town, famous for its gingerbread men. Turn just after Bridge 62 and return to Gailey.

Fradley Junction and back (49 miles, 34 locks, 27 hours)

*Please note this route isn’t currently available due to the breach at Penkridge.

Follow the 3-night route to Great Haywood, and turn right when you reach the junction, transferring onto the Trent & Mersey Canal. Moor at Haywood Lock to visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. Continue south to Wolseley Bridge, the Wolseley Arms pub and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre. When you arrive at the outskirts of Rugeley, moor up near bridge 66 for easy access to the town and Cannock Chase. Carry on through the Staffordshire countryside, passing the village of Armitage and ‘Spode House’. When you reach Fradley Junction, where the Trent & Mersey Canal meets the Coventry Canal, you’ll find a cafe, the canalside Swan Pub and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Turn at the junction and return to Gailey.

Barlaston and back (51 miles, 48 locks, 30 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Great Haywood Junction and turn left to cruise northwards up the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through Hoo Mill Lock and Weston Lock. Moor up at Bridge 80 to visit Weston upon Trent where you’ll find the canalside Saracen’s Head and Woolpack pub in the village. Continue cruising north through the quiet meadows of the Trent Valley. When you reach the historic market town of Stone, moor up below the bottom lock or just past the second lock, to walk into town. Stone, known has the foodie capital of Staffordshire, has a great choice of places to eat and drink, including the canalside Star pub. When you reach Barlaston, you can moor up to visit the popular Plume of Feathers pub. Turn at the ‘winding hole’ before Bridge 104 and return to Gailey.

10-11-night destinations from Gailey

Stourport and back (69 miles, 66 locks, 40 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to The Bratch and continue through wooded countryside. Pass Stourton Junction, continuing south through Dunsley Tunnel. The village of Kinver is within easy reach of the canal. There you can visit the National Trust’s Kinver Rock Houses. After more locks you’ll go the 65-yard-long Cookley Tunnel and then over a couple of small aqueducts. St Mary’s Church overlooks Kidderminster Lock. Moor up between bridges 15 and 16 to explore this historic town. When you reach the outskirts of Stourport the canal gets narrower, with more bends and bridges. Pubs, houses, tea rooms and shops overlook the canal, then there’s one last lock before you enter the Stourport ‘clock’ basin (c. 1770). You can turn the boat around here and then moor up to walk the Stourport Canal Basins Discovery Trail and visit the Georgian town of Stourport-on-Severn, including the riverside Black Star pub. Turn in one of the basins and head back to Gailey.

The Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 42 hours)

*Please note this route isn’t currently available due to the breach at Penkridge.

Follow the 7-night route to Fradley Junction and transfer onto the Coventry Canal, which leads to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. From there it’s a lock-free journey through the countryside, encountering a series of villages including Hopwas, home of the Tame Otter pub. Next you’ll reach Fazeley Junction. Turn right here, travelling towards central Birmingham. Between Fazeley Junction and Drayton Basset you can moor up between Tolson’s Footbridge and Coleshill Road Bridge to visit Drayton Manor Theme Park. Approaching central Birmingham, you’ll encounter the flight of 11 locks at Curdworth, followed by a short tunnel (57 yards). Your next turning is at Salford Junction, left under Bridge 110, leading to 11 locks at Aston.

You’ll need a T-shaped ‘anti-vandal’ key to unlock the lock gates. Turn right at the Aston Junction where you’ll meet a flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge. This takes you right into the centre of Birmingham to Cambrian Wharf, which is within walking distance of Brindleyplace and city centre attractions.  Next, the New Main Line then takes you north through 3 locks and the 103 yard Summit Tunnel. At Tipton Green there are 3 locks and a pub.  Then you’ll reach the 360-yard long Coseley Tunnel. A lock-free section then winds its way straight into Wolverhampton. There are visitor’s moorings just before the first of 21 lock Wolverhampton flight. Next you’ll cruise to meet the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal at Aldersley Junction and at Autherley Junction you can head back Gailey.

Froghall and back (97 miles, 94 locks, 58 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Barlaston and continue heading north up the Trent & Mersey Canal. Moor up near Trentham Lock to visit the World of Wedgwood. Continue to Festival Park Marina, Etruria, where you’ll find shops, restaurants and the Etruria Industrial Museum.  Join the Caldon Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal and turn east at Etruria Top Lock. Make your way through the Etruria Staircase Locks. Go through the 2 Bedford Staircase Locks and Planet Lock. By now, the canal is beginning to leave the city behind and at Milton there are two canalside pubs to enjoy, the Foxley and the Miners Arms. Continue cruising on to Stockton Brook, where there are 5 more locks and you’ll find the canalside Sportsman pub.

Continue cruising to Endon with beautiful stretches of moorland opening up. Where the canal splits, at Hazelhurst Junction follow the stretch through Hazelhurst Locks then go under Hazelhurst Aqueduct, which carries the Leek branch of the Caldon Canal to Leek. Heading south through the Staffordshire countryside, you’ll pass the Hollybush Inn at Denford and soon after Deep Hayes Country Park.

Now travelling alongside the River Churnet through beautiful countryside, next you’ll reach Cheddleton, home of the little Flint Mill Museum, shops, the Black Lion pub and Old School Tearooms and Craft Centre. Cheddleton is also the headquarters of the Churnet Valley Steam Railway. After passing Flint Mill, you’ll reach the village of Consall Forge, with its Black Lion pub and Consall Nature Reserve.  The channel then narrows and the canal runs through densely wooded hills. Turn your boat around in the winding hole before the 69-metre long Froghall Tunnel, which is unusually narrow and low so most boats aren’t able to pass through. The winding hole accommodates boats up to 64ft long. Walk to Froghall Wharf, where you’ll find Hetty’s Tea Rooms. Return to Gailey.

The Four Counties Ring (110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours)

*Please note this route isn’t currently available due to the breach at Penkridge.

Follow the 7-night route to Market Drayton and continue heading up the Shropshire Union Canal. There are 5 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.  After crossing over Nantwich Aqueduct, turn the boat around at Nantwich basin and then moor up to explore this historic market town. There’s a great choice of places to eat and drink and you can walk to Dorfold Hall Jacobean Mansion.

Go past Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union Canal. When you reach Barbridge Junction you find the canalside Olde Barbridge Inn. Turn left and continue along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. The Badger Inn is a 10 minute walk from the canal at Church Minshull. At the end of the Middlewich Branch is the ancient town of Middlewich, famous for its salt industry. Turn right at the junction turn and head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal.  The canal climbs 4 locks before Wheelock, home of the Cheshire Cheese Inn. The George Inn at Sandbach is a one-mile walk from Wheelock. Then 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.

Continue heading south along the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Moor up near Trentham Lock to visit the World of Wedgwood. At Barlaston you’ll find the popular Plume of Feathers pub. When you reach the historic market town of Stone, moor up to walk into town. Stone, known has the foodie capital of Staffordshire, has a great choice of places to eat and drink, including the canalside Star pub.

Cruise on through the quiet meadows of the Trent Valley. Moor up at Bridge 80 to visit Weston upon Trent where you’ll find the canalside Saracen’s Head and Woolpack pub in the village. Soon after, you’ll reach Great Haywood Junction. Turn onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll soon reach Tixall Wide – a beautiful stretch of water where the canal widens. When you reach Radford Bridge No. 98 you can moor up to walk into Stafford (approx. 1 mile). Pubs in Stafford include the Knot & Plough, and places to visit include The Ancient High House, the largest remaining timber framed house in England. Continue cruising through the valley to the historic market town of Penkridge, where you’ll find shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. After Penkridge, you’ll soon be back at Gailey.

The Stourport Ring (100 miles, 118 locks, 59 hours)

Follow the 10/11-night route to Stourport and then take the staircase locks from Stourport Clock Basin down onto the River Severn. Turn left and you’ll go through the village of Upton-upon-Severn, home of the White Lion Hotel historic coaching inn. When you reach Worcester, you’ll pass the stunning riverside Cathedral and then turn left at Diglis.  Here you can take time to explore Diglis Basin and visit the Fish Pass with an underwater viewing gallery on Diglis Island. Next go through a swing-bridge and two locks, and then on to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There are 8 locks through Worcester, then a flight of 6 locks at Offerton.  You’ll then go through the 230-yard long Dunhampstead Tunnel. There are 5 more locks at Astwood before you arrive at Stoke Prior. Next it’s the 6-lock Stoke flight and after that you can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, before tackling the mighty Tardebigge flight of 30 locks.

There are beautiful views of the Worcestershire countryside to enjoy at you go through the locks. After Tardebigge Wharf the canal is lock-free all the way into Birmingham. But you’ll go through a series of tunnels, including the 2,493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country. You’ll pass King’s Norton Junction, where the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. And Bournville, home of Cadbury World. At Gas Street Basin you can moor up to explore city centre attraction, including the National Sealife Centre at Brindleyplace. Follow the Birmingham Main Line out of the city centre to Wolverhampton and go through the 21-lock Wolverhampton Flight. Straight after the last of these locks you’ll reconnect with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and you’ll soon be back at Autherley Junction then Gailey.

The Four Counties Ring and the Llangollen Canal (201 miles, 136 locks, 101 hours)
*Please note this route isn’t currently available due to the breaches at Penkridge and Whitchurch.

Follow the 10/11-night Four Counties Ring route but when you reach Hurleston Junction, 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 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 the boat around and return to Hurleston Junction. Then continue following the Four Counties Ring route, eventually taking you back to Gailey.