Canal boat holiday destinations from Nantwich, on the Shropshire Union Canal
The 66-mile long Shropshire Union Canal links Ellesmere Port and the River Mersey in the north, with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Autherley Junction, near Wolverhampton. There are 51 locks along its length. The northern section takes boaters through the Cheshire countryside. It’s wider with more locks. While the southern section features long embankments and atmospheric cuttings full of vegetation and wildlife, reducing the number of locks.
3-night destinations from Nantwich
Middlewich and back (27 miles, 14 locks, 13 hours)
Begin your journey by heading north on the Shropshire Union Canal main line. Cruise past Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union main line. When you reach Barbridge Junction, home of the canalside Olde Barbridge Inn, transfer onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. 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. Return to Nantwich.
Market Drayton and back (24 miles, 44 locks, 16 hours)
Head south along the Shropshire Union Canal. After the 2 locks at Hack Green you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. There are 15 locks to go through at Audlem. When you reach Adderley, there are 5 more locks before you reach the historic town of Market Drayton, famous for its gingerbread men. Turn at Victoria Wharf and moor up to take the 20 minute into the heart of Market Drayton, with its Buttercross market place, shops and restaurants. Return to Nantwich.
4-night destinations from Nantwich
Chester and back (36 miles, 22 locks, 16.5 hours)
Head north on the Shropshire Union Canal main line through the Cheshire countryside. Cruise past Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union main line. When you reach Barbridge Junction, home of the canalside Olde Barbridge Inn, continue heading north along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. 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, a 2-mile walk from the canal. Soon after 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 5 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.
7-night destinations from Nantwich
Follow the 4-night route to Chester and continue heading north along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. When you reach Cauhall Bridge (No 134) you can moor up and take a half-a-mile walk to Chester Zoo. On reaching 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.
Lymm and back (81 miles, 19 locks, 33.5 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Middlewich Junction and turn to head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through the Middlewich Locks and over the Croxton Aqueduct. You’ll pass the Old Broken Cross pub at Rudheath and the Lion Salt Works and Salt Barge pub at Marston. There are visitor moorings on the approach to the Anderton Boat Lift, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. Moor up to explore the Canal & River Trust’s Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and nearby Stanley Arms. continue heading north along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through the 572-yard long Barnton Tunnel then the 424-yard long Saltersford Tunnel. Both have strict timings as they are only wide enough for one boat at a time. Pass Acton Bridge and then go through ‘Dutton Stop Lock’. Next you’ll reach 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 with views of the Pennines in the distance. Go through Higher Walton (where you’ll find the Walton Arms), Stockton Heath and Grappenhall (where you’ll find the Rams Head and the Parr Arms). 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 to Nantwich.
Brewood and back (70 miles, 56 locks, 36 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Market Drayton and continue heading south along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. There are 5 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 can moor up to visit the Norbury Junction pub.
Soon after Norbury, you’ll reach Gnosall village with its canalside Boat Inn. You’ll then go through the short Cowley Tunnel (81 yards). 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. Turn just after Chillington Bridge (No. 9) and return to Nantwich
10 or 11-night destinations from Nantwich
Head north along the Shropshire Union Canal main line and 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 the pretty village of Wrenbury. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and another pub in the village. There are also lots of walking routes to enjoy.
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 on the Whitchurch Arm and take the 25 minute walk into this historic market town, famous for its clock-making and award-winning Black Bear pub.
After Whitchurch, you’ll soon be cruising through 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 to Nantwich.
The Four Counties Ring (110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours)
Follow the 7-night route to Brewood and 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 along the main line back to Nantwich.
14-night destinations from Nantwich
The Cheshire Ring (123 miles, 100 locks, 64 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Middlewich and then head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Go through the 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. 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. When you reach Barbridge Junction, head south along the main line back to Nantwich.
