Canal boat holiday destinations from Whixall, on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal
From our narrowboat hire base at Whixall Marina 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 Whixall
Ellesmere and back (14 miles, 0 locks, 7 hours)
Start your journey along the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal. When you reach the junction, turn right. Here you can moor up to explore Whixall Moss, part of the Fens, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve. Cruise on through the Shropshire Lake District, passing Lyneal Moss, Cole Mere and Blake Mere. Go through the 87-yard long Ellesmere Tunnel. 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. Turn the boat around and return to Whixall.
Chirk and back (35 miles, 4 locks, 16 hours)
Follow the route to Ellesmere and continue cruising through the Shropshire countryside. You’ll pass the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction and then you’ll go through the two locks at New Marton. At Gledrid you’ll pass the canalside Poacher’s Pocket pub. When you reach 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. Turn your boat to before Chirk Tunnel to start making your way back to Whixall.
4-night destinations from Whixall
Wrenbury and back (26 miles, 20 locks, 17.5 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Start your journey along the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal. When you reach the junction, turn left. 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.
Continue cruising east and 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 popular 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 Whixall.
Trevor and back (42 miles, 4 locks, 19 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Chirk and continue along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll go through Chirk Tunnel and then you’ll cross the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct, with a railway viaduct running alongside it. As you cross Chirk Aqueduct, you’ll cross the border into Wales. Next you’ll reach Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards) and then the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the canal 38 metres high above the River Dee. At Trevor turn the boat around and then moor up to visit the Canal & River Trust’s Trevor Basin Visitor Centre to find out more about the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. You can also visit the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room. Return to Whixall.
7-night destinations from Whixall
Llangollen and back (52 miles, 4 locks, 24 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Trevor and continue cruising west along the Llangollen Canal. 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. You’ll pass the canalside Sun pub. 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 Whixall.
Hurleston Junction and back (39 miles, 38 locks, 26 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Follow the 4-night route to Wrenbury and continue cruising east 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. Turn around straight after the last lock to make your journey back to Whixall.
Llangollen, Wrenbury Mill and back (77 miles, 24 locks, 38 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Follow the 7-night route to Llangollen and then follow the 4-night route to Wrenbury and back.
10 or 11-night destinations from Whixall
Chester and back (81 miles, 66 locks, 45 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Follow the 7-night route to Hurleston Junction and then turn left, heading 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. Return to Whixall.
Llangollen, Chester and back (123 miles, 64 locks, 63 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Follow the 7-night route to Llangollen and then follow the route to Chester and back, exploring the whole length of the Llangollen Canal.
14-night destinations from Whixall
The Four Counties Ring (137 miles, 144 locks, 86 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 4-night route to Hurleston Junction and then 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.
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 Whixall Marina.
The Cheshire Ring (158 miles, 138 locks, 89 hours)
*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.
Follow the 4-night route to Hurleston Junction and then head north along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. You’ll soon reach Barbridge Junction, home of the canalside 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 ill 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 Whixall Marina.
