Canal boat holiday destinations from Wrenbury on the Llangollen Canal
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 Wrenbury
Whitchurch and back (14 miles, 20 locks, 11 hours)
Depart the marina and cruise west through the Shropshire countryside along the Llangollen Canal. Between Wrenbury and Grindley Brook there are 7 locks. At Marbury Lock, you can moor up to walk into the village of Marbury and visit the popular Swan Inn. At the Grindley Brook 3-lock staircase you’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping. When you reach 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. Turn the boat around in the winding hole on the Whitchurch Arm and return to Wrenbury Mill. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and another pub in the village, which is a listed conservation area. There are also lots of walking routes to enjoy.
Nantwich and back (21 miles, 18 locks, 12 hours)
From Wrenbury, head east along the Llangollen Canal. 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. At Nantwich, the canal crosses a stunning cast-iron aqueduct, with great views across the historic market town. You can moor up to explore 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. There’s a winding hole just south of the town where you can turn and return to Wrenbury.
4-night destinations from Wrenbury
From Wrenbury, head east along the Llangollen Canal. 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, a two-mile walk from the canal. There’s a turning point between Beeston Stone Lock and Wharfton’s Lock to turn the boat around and return to Wrenbury.
Ellesmere and back (39 miles, 20 locks, 22 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Whitchurch and continue cruising west along the Llangollen Canal. You’ll go through 4 lift bridges and then you’ll reach the junction with the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal. 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 Wrenbury.
7-night destinations from Wrenbury
Chester and back (45 miles, 40 locks, 24 hours)
Follow the 4-night route to Beeston Castle and continue heading north along the Shropshire Union Canal through the Cheshire countryside. Next 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 Wrenbury.
Market Drayton and back (39 miles, 62 locks, 28 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Nantwich and continue heading south along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. Continue cruising south and after the two 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 five 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 Wrenbury.
Llangollen and back (76 miles, 24 locks, 38 hours)
Follow the 4-night 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. 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 you can moor up to visit the Canal & River Trust’s Trevor Basin Visitor Centre and the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room.
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 Wrenbury.
10 or 11-night destinations from Wrenbury
Follow the 3-night route to Nantwich and continue cruising south along the Shropshire Union Canal main line. 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. Moor up and take the 20 minute into the heart of Market Drayton, with its Buttercross market place, shops and restaurants.
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’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. Not long after you’ll reach Autherley Junction, where you can turn the boat around and return to Wrenbury.
The Four Counties Ring (122 miles, 112 locks, 69 hours)
Follow the route to Autherley Junction and then 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 Wrenbury.
14-night destinations from Wrenbury
The Cheshire Ring (132 miles, 118 locks, 72 hours)
From Wrenbury, head east along the Llangollen Canal. 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 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. 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 Wrenbury.
