Canal boat holiday destinations from Stoke on Trent, on the Trent & Mersey Canal

From our narrow boat hire base at Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire you can explore the Trent & Mersey, Caldon and Macclesfield canals. It is also perfectly placed to explore the Four Counties Ring and the Cheshire Ring.

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’.

The 20-mile long Caldon Canal has 17 locks, 3 lift bridges and 2 tunnels. Running through the beautiful Churnet Valley, it connects Stoke on Trent at Etruria, to Froghall in the Staffordshire moorlands. It also has a 3-mile branch taking boaters to the historic market town of Leek.

3-night destinations from Stoke on Trent

Congleton and back (22 miles, 2 locks, 10 hours)

Head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing Middleport Pottery and Westport Lake. You’ll go through the 1.66 mile long Harecastle Tunnel, which has set opening hours. Information is listed on the Canal & River Trust website. At Hardings Wood Junction, transfer onto the Macclesfield Canal, crossing Poole Aqueduct and then Red Bull Aqueduct.

Cruise on through the countryside, passing canalside cottages, farms and woodland. Stop at Bridge 86 to walk to the National Trust’s Little Moreton Hall, iconic Tudor Manor House. When you reach the historic market town of Congleton, moor up to visit the shops. There’s a choice of places to eat, including the Lion & Swan 16^th century coaching inn. Turn around just before Bridge 72 and return to Stoke on Trent.

Flint Mill and back (23 miles, 24 locks, 15 hours)

Cruise south for just under a mile to reach the Caldon Canal. Go through the two 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, 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.

4-night destinations from Stoke on Trent

Macclesfield and back (42 miles, 26 locks, 21 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Congleton and continue along the Macclesfield Canal. Go through the 12 Bosley Locks, and continue cruising through the Cheshire countryside. Cross over the Gurnett Aqueduct and soon you’ll pass the Hovis Mill. Moor up to explore Macclesfield’s shops, restaurants, pubs and Silk Museum. Turn after Bridge 37 and return to Stoke on Trent.

Froghall and back (34 miles, 34 locks, 22 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Flint Mill and continue cruising along the Caldon Canal. Next 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 Stoke on Trent.

7-night destinations from Stoke on Trent

Middlewich and back (36 miles, 62 locks, 26 hours)

Head north along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing Middleport Pottery and Westport Lake. You’ll go through the 1.66 mile long Harecastle Tunnel, which has set opening hours. Information is listed on the Canal & River Trust website. At Harding’s Wood Junction, stay on the Trent & Mersey. Go through 11 of the Cheshire Locks (also known as Heartbreak Hill). Moor up close to Bridge 140 to visit Rode Heath.

There’s a choice of pubs, including the Broughton Arms. You can plan a visit Rode Hall & Gardens and the South Cheshire crosses the canal at Bridge 142. Continuing on, the canal drops down via 13 more locks to the village of Weelock. There you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the canalside Cheshire Cheese. Next you’ll reach Ettiley Heath, with the Watch Lane Flash nature reserve. Four locks later you’ll reach the ancient town of Middlewich, famous for its salt industry. Turn the boat around before Kings Lock and return to Stoke on Trent.

Leek, Froghall and back (37 miles, 34 locks, 23 hours)

On a 7-night break you can explore the whole of the Caldon Canal. Cruise south for just under a mile to transfer onto the Caldon Canal. 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 2 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, take the Leek branch and go through the 130-yard long Leek Tunnel. Turn your boat around at the canal terminus and moor up to explore Leek. There’s a choice of places to eat, including the Reform Inn.

Head back to Hazelhurst Junction and this time follow the stretch through Hazelhurst Locks, going under Hazelhurst Aqueduct (which carries the Leek Branch over the Caldon Canal). 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. Next 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. Alton Towers theme park is a 12-minute taxi away.

Penkridge and back (58 miles, 48 locks, 32 hours)

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

At Great Haywood Junction turn onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll soon arrive at the beautiful ‘Tixall Wide’ lake. Soon after at you can moor up near Radford Bridge No.98 Moor and walk into Stafford town centre (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 countryside, going past the village of Acton Trussel and through a couple more locks before you reach Penkridge. This historic market town has a choice of shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. Turn your boat around just after Penkridge Lock No.38 and return to Stoke on Trent.

10 or 11-night destinations from Stoke on Trent

Whaley Bridge and back (78 miles, 26 locks, 37 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Macclesfield. Continue along the Macclesfield Canal, passing the Dog & Partridge pub at Bollington. At Marple Junction, turn onto the Upper Peak Forest Canal. From there it’s a 6-mile cruise to Whaley Bridge, with views of the Peak District beyond. There’s a lift bridge at Wood End. Moor up at Whaley Bridge services to explore this historic town with prehistoric burial sites and the remains of an ancient stone circle. Turn the boat around at Whaley Bridge Junction and return to Stoke on Trent.

Huddlesford and back (70 miles, 46 locks, 38 hours)

Head south down the Trent & Mersey Canal through the Stoke flight of 5 locks. Just after Trentham Lock, you can moor up to visit the World of Wedgewood. Less than a mile later 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. When you reach Great Haywood, you’ll find a farm shop and café, and the Clifford Arms pub. Moor at Haywood Lock to visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. Continue heading south along the Trent & Mersey Canal 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, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Continue 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 left onto the Coventry Canal and continue on through the countryside. When you reach Huddlesford Junction you can turn the boat around and then moor up to visit the canalside Plough Inn.

The Four Counties Ring (111 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours)

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

Follow the 7-night route to Penkridge and continue cruising along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. When you reach Gailey Wharf, you can moor up and walk into the village to the Spread Eagle pub. Next you’ll go through Cross Green and then you’ll reach Autherley Junction. Transfer onto the Shropshire Union Canal and head north. At the historic village of Brewood, you’ll find a choice of cafes, shops and pubs, including the Lesters Arms gastropub.

Next you’ll cross Stretton Aqueduct and when you reach Wheaton Aston, you’ll find 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. Then 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.

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. 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. Return to our Stoke on Trent base at Etruria.

14-night destinations from Stoke on Trent

Llangollen and back (148 miles, 112 locks, 90 hours)

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

Follow the Four Counties Ring route at far as Hurleston Junction and then 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 Stoke on Trent.