Cruises Details
2010 Cruises Details
Cruise 1. Stone to Whaley Bridge. 7 Nights 48 miles and 25 locks. 5 moveable bridges; 11 small aqueducts and 1 tunnel.
After leaving our Friendly mooring at Stone. This cruise takes us through the Potteries with the Potteries Industrial Museum at Etruria. We travel through the Harecastle Tunnel (2926 yards) which is the remaining tunnel of three built. The first canal tunnel had to be closed because of subsidence. The third was a railway tunnel, which was closed when the railway was re-routed. After the tunnel we turn onto the Macclesfield canal, which is very beautiful as it winds its way through the Peak District. Then on to the Peak Forest Canal and follow the valley of the River Goyt into Whaley Bridge. and onto the magnificent Bugsworth basin.
Nearest railway stations Stafford or Stone and Whaley Bridge.
Cruise 2. Whaley Bridge to Northwich (via the Anderton Boat Lift) 7 Nights 51 miles, 44 locks, 5 tunnels.
Leaving our mooring at Bugsworth basin we cruise towards Marple passing the Goyt Valley Marple enjoying extensive views as the canal is perched high on the hillside. At Marple Junction we swing left to join the Macclesfield Canal and continue our journey through Marple, Higher Poynton, Bollington and Macclesfield. Just south of Macclesfield in a truly tranquil setting we descend the flight of 12 locks at Bosley dropping the boats 118 feet in a mile. Turning onto the Trent and Mersey Canal at Red Bull Junction we start the descent towards Wheellock through a flight of 26 locks aptly named 'Heartbreak Hill'. Passing through the salt producing area we arrive at Middlewich then on towards the Anderton Boat Lift. Leaving the lift we turn left on the River Weaver and cruise quietly towards Northwich with it very interesting Salt Museum.
Nearest railway stations Whaley Bridge and Northwich.
Cruise 3. Northwich to Llangollen (via the Anderton Boat Lift) 7 Nights 68 miles, 30 locks, 2 aqueducts, 3 tunnels.
On leaving Northwich we rise up in the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift and turn right to head for Middlewich, skirting around the environs of industrial Northwich. We cruise through pleasant countryside equal to many other beautiful stretches in the country. Reaching Middlewich, we turn right to join the 11 miles of the Middlewich Arm, which is all open country, punctuated by 4 locks. At Barbridge Junction we join the Shropshire Union main line and follow a brief stretch of this canal until we reach Hurleston Junction and turn right onto the Llangollen Canal and immediately climb the four locks by Hurleston Reservoir. The canal travels through lovely scenery and reaches Wrenbury where we encounter the first of several lift bridges. We continue until we reach Grindley Brook with its three chamber staircase lock. After Grindley Brook the canal crosses Whixall Moss, a bog rich in flora and fauna. Over the next few miles there are several meres, small lakes formed in the ice age, on either side of the canal which are followed by the short Ellesmere Tunnel (87 yards). Ellesmere town is at the end of a short arm. A few miles further on is Frankton Junction where we continue past up to New Marton Locks, the last of the canal and cross the Chirk Aqueduct overlooked by the railway viaduct and into Chirk Tunnel (459 yards). Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards) follows quickly after and then we reach the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 126 feet above the river Dee. Immediately after the aqueduct there is a ninety degree turn as the canal continues its short journey to Llangollen. This stretch of the canal is very narrow and slower with one-way working in places. We finish our cruise in the marina at Llangollen.
Nearest railway stations, Northwich or Crewe and Ruabon.
Cruise 4. Llangollen - Nantwich. 46 miles, 21 locks, 3 tunnels, 2 aqueducts.
We leave our Mooring Llangollen and travel out of this fantastic place.
This cruise gives a fine opportunity to sample the delights of Llangollen itself before we make our way slowly down the valley of the River Dee, with fine views on either side. As we look back we can see Castel Dinas Bran perched on the hillside above Llangollen. We make a sharp right turn at Trevor and immediately sail off across the fantastic Pontcysyllte aqueduct which carries us 100 feet above the River Dee with inspiring views in both directions. The people below really do look like ants. Next we encounter Chirk tunnel, then the rather more sturdy, but still impressive, aqueduct at Chirk with its close neighbour the railway viaduct. We travel on through peaceful countryside, through a short tunnel to emerge by Blake Mere, in a sylvan setting and a truly magical place. We cruise across Whixall Moss, a real treat for bird watchers, before passing Whitchurch and arriving at the locks at Grindley Brook. Their is always entertainment to be had here at the locks. We pass isolated locks such as Willeymoor and Marbury before reaching Wrenbury, a fascinating village. Under various raised lift bridges, and past totally rural scenes, we arrive at Hurleston locks, which we descend to join the Shropshire Union canal. We turn right and cruise to the market town of Nantwich.
Nearest railway stations Nantwich, Crewe and Ruabon.
Cruise 5 Nantwich - Stone via Autherley. 49 locks, 70 miles
We leave Nantwich and travel down the Shropshire Union Canal. There are two locks at Hack Green before we reach the flight of fifteen at Audlem. There are five more locks at Adderley before we pass through Market Drayton. Following five locks at Tyrley, we enter Woodseaves cutting, This is a narrow tree lined cutting through sandstone. There are no more locks until Wheaton Aston where there is one. We go over the A5 on an aqueduct near Brewood and continue down the ‘Shroppie’ to Autherley Junction where we join the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. There are no locks until Gailey where we meet the A5 once more and go under it and down four locks. There are more locks spread out until we reach Tixall Wide, where the canal resembles a lake. At nearby Great Haywood we Join the Trent and Mersey Canal and follow the Trent valley into Stone.
Nearest railway stations Nantwich, Crewe and Stone.
Cruise 6 Stone - Stone via the Caldon Canal. 52 locks, 54 miles
We leave Stone and travel north through the Potteries on the Trent and Mersey Canal to at Etruria and turn onto the Caldon Canal, which is acknowledged to be one of the most picturesque on the inland waterways. We pass through Hanley, the main town of ‘The five towns’ of the Potteries. The first part of the canal is through the industrial landscape before reaching open country. There are several lift bridges and at Stockton Brook a flight of five locks raises the canal over 40 feet into stone wall country. The canal passes under the Leek branch at Hazelhurst Junction and continues on to Cheddleton where there is one of several flint mills, which supplied flint to the pottery trade. Beyond Oak Meadow Ford lock the canal joins the river Churnet. This section of the canal becomes impassable if the river is in spate and it is necessary to turn round here otherwise we continue for a further two miles and turn round at Flint Mill Lock and retrace our journey to Stone.
Nearest railway station Stone.
Cruise 7 Stone to Stourport 7 nights 68 miles, 54 locks, 10 small aqueducts or underbridges and 2 tunnels.
We leave the canal town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey canal, which we follow through a series of isolated locks to Great Haywood. Here we turn right under a bridge to enter the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Passing over the River Trent on a very ancient aqueduct, we next come to Tixall Wide, one of the most pleasant places on the waterways - the canal forms an artificial lake, which is inhabited by all sorts of wildlife, particularly great crested grebe. Passing on through the tiny villages of Milford and Acton Trussell, we reach Penkridge with its 12th century church. Winding our way through wooded countryside, we reach Gailey where we pass under Watling Street to find the quaint round lock keeper's cottage by the lock - now a tiny gift shop. At Hatherton, we pass the disused branch of the canal that led to Birmingham. By twists and turns, we reach Autherley and Aldersley Junctions and carry straight on down five spaced out locks until we reach one of our favorite the three Bratch Locks which has a fall of over 30ft. Sailing on we go through several villages, Wombourne, Swindon, Near to Rocky Locks you can see rooms have been carved into the sandstone. About a mile we pass Devil's Den and past Stourton Junction through Dunley Tunnel only 25 yards. Soon arriving at Kinver six miles on we are at Kidderminster, Then our destination Stourport.
Nearest railway stations Stafford or Stone and Kidderminster.
Cruise 8. Stourport To Warwick
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 9. Warwick To Oxford (Thrupp) 7 Nights 56 miles and 59 locks. There are 20 moveable bridges of which 16 are usually left open and 4 small aqueducts or underbridges.
We leave our mooring at Warwick soon passing the cape of good Hope Locks.Heading and passing through Royal Leamington Spa we travel onto Welsh Lane and Fosse Way locks, now we soon tackle the locks at stockton and then onto the locks at calcutt. we now have little run onto Napton Junction this is where we turn right onto the Oxford, we eventually clear the nine locks and pass Marston Doles , the canal meanders passing Fenny Compton, we soon desend a flight of locks claydon. We pass Cropredy village with its sleepy Churchyard, just after Banbury we go under the M40 passing even more quite locks you can see the church spire at King's Sutton. Aynho Weir we briefly cross the River cherwell. we reach Somerton, next after this we follow the valley for many miles, We continue on to our final stop at Thrupp.
Nearest railway station. Warwick and Oxford.
Cruise 10. Newbury - Bath. 57 miles 79 locks 2 tunnels 2 aqueducts.
Leaving Newbury behind us, we move quickly into water meadows and woodland. Frequent locks bring us steadily up to higher ground over the course of a day, making this day a good day for walking. Traveling through the Vale of Pewsey the River Kennet is never far away and several of Southern England's most picturesque villages can be explored. Past wooded ridges and a hill fort we lock up Crofton locks past the historic beam pumping engine, built to pump water up to the canals summit level before entering Bruce tunnel. A long lock free section and a night moored in Devizes gives us time to rest before tackling the 29 locks of Devizes and the Caen Hill flight where we descend 230ft in just 2 miles. The largest flight on the system, it not only keeps the crew busy, but offers up some superb views over the surrounding area and down the flight itself. We travel past many attractive villages overlooking the canal before arriving at the architecturally rich, but compact town of Bradford-on-Avon.Following the course of the Avon across two aqueducts Bath city appears ahead and we eventually arrive in amongst the stunning Georgian architecture of this spa town.
Nearest train stations, Newbury and Bath.
Cruise 11. Bristol To Hungerford.
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 12. Hungerford - Bath. 48 Miles, 61 locks, 1 tunnel
Starting from Hungerford with its treasure trove of antique shops. Distances between the locks shorten as we move upwards past the Bedwyns to Crofton summit, Home of the oldest working steam beam engine, which still helps maintain the water level of the summit pound. The canal summit is a short 3-mile length of water achieved by the construction of Bruce Tunnel, which sneaks underground and then brings us to Wootton Rivers. Here the descent begins with a short flight of locks of the same name, which is followed by a long fifteen-mile pound that stretches out over the Vale of Pewsey to Devizes. On leaving Devizes Wharf the we start to descend the 29 locks of the Devizes flight, which includes the well known Cam Hill section lowering the boats 230 feet in just over two miles. giving some splendid views. As the journey progresses westwards the scenery just gets better as we visit Seend, Semington and Bradford on Avon enroute to Bath. The canal hugs the valley side switching sides on sturdy stone aqueducts at Avoncliffe and Dundas. The journey ends with magnificent views of the town as we reach our mooring just above the top lock of the Bath flight.
Nearest train stations, Hungerford and Bath.
Cruise 13. Bath To Bath.
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 14 Bath To Newbury 57 Miles, 77 locks, 1 tunnel.
Leaving the Spa town the canal follows a passage up the wooded Avon valley, crossing the river several times on fine aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliffe. At first the locks are intermittent at Bradford on Avon, Semington and Seend. At Foxhangers the uphill rush becomes a reality as the marvellous daunting site of Caen Hill locks confronts us and the boat are raised through 29 locks to reach Devizes town wharf. This is the longest flight of broad locks in the country. After the locks we gently meander across the Vale of Pewsey on a 15 mile pound which affords excellent views across the downs and of the chalk White Horse near Honeystreet. The canal summit is reached via 4 more locks at Wootton Rivers. It is broken by Bruce Tunnel, which emerges to Crofton locks where we commence our descent. The rural nature of this waterway remains as the navigation cuts a course down through Great and Little Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbwy to reach Newbury.
Nearest railway stations, Bath and Newbury.
Cruise 15 Newbury To Oxford (Thrupp).
We begin at the eastern reaches of the Kennet navigation, which is an interesting passage through a series of diverse locks and moving bridge, We cruise downstream through the heart of Reading and out onto the River Thames, which seem vast compared to the Kennet River. We move upstream past Pangbourne, Wallingford, Clifton Hampden and Abingdon before slipping across the busy waters around Oxford. The passage upstream is absorbing as we move between mixed countryside and fine buildings around the above-mentioned places, which provide interesting walks and exploration. We arrive in Oxford then just a few miles to Thrupp.
Nearest railway stations, Newbury and Oxford.
Cruise 16 Oxford (Thrupp) To Leamington Spa 6 Nights 57 Miles, 57 locks
We leave this eye-catching villages of Thrupp, On the early part of the journey the locks are scattered but at Claydon a flight of 5 locks complete the rise onto the summit level. This summit level follows the contour for 13 miles to progress a mere 5 miles but it must rate as 13 of the most tranquil miles on the waterways. It winds and twists over constantly changing countryside and avoids habitation along its route so the only companions are the creatures and birds of the waters edge and farms. The other end of the summit is defined by a flight of 9 locks called Napton Hill. Napton also sees the junction with the Grand Union Canal and the boats now follow its broader waters and lock down into the Avon valley. The locks at Calcutt (3), Stockton (10), Bascote (4) and for the rest of the journey are now 14 feet wide, worth waiting a while possible to pair up with another boat improving passage time. The overspills to the side are the original narrow lock chambers. The new wide locks were built alongside to keep disruption to a minimum. At Bascote two of the lock chambers are combined to form a staircase, which saves water. At Redford Semele we complete our descent into the Avon valley and then our destination Leamington Spa.
Nearest railway stations, Oxford and Leamington Spa.
Cruise 17 Warwick To Leighton Buzzard. 7 Nights 66 Miles and 52 locks, 8 small aqueducts or underbridges and 2 tunnels.
We leave Warwick on the Grand Union Canal. After passing through Royal Leamington Spa we climb Radford and Stockton locks to Napton Junction where we join the North Oxford Canal as far as Braunston Turn. Leaving the Oxford Canal to turn north we continue south on the Grand Union and climb Braunston locks and pass through the tunnel. Passing Norton Junction we descend Buckby locks. We pass through Weedon where George 111 built a barracks to retreat to in case of invasion, as it was the place furthest from the sea. Next we come to Gayton Junction where the Northampton Arm leaves to join the river Nene. Blisworth Tunnel heralds our arrival at Stoke Bruerne where there is a canal museum. We continue down the locks and pass through Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, Bletchly, Stoke Hammond, Leighton Buzzard.
Nearest railway stations. Warwick and Leighton Buzzard.
Cruise 18 Leighton Buzzard to Market Harborough.
As we leave our mooring at Leighton Buzzard the canal enters the valley of the Ouzel and meanders sharply soon to arrive at the Soulbury flight of three locks and another at Stoke Hammond. Soon passing Fenny Stratford and Milton Keynes Heading on towards Old Wolverton and Cosgrove after 6 miles we arrive at Stoke Bruerne home of the BW Waterways Museum. Then it's onto Blisworth Tunnel which is the third longest waterway in Britain open to navigation. At Gayton junction we pass the GUC Northampton Arm which branches away to the north east, We continue North west entering a relatively empty stretch of agricultural land and open fields falling away to the north and steep hill to the south, As it approaches Bugbrooke and onto Weeden a quiet open stretch follows.
Onto Norton Junction where we turn right onto the Leicester Section. After climbing the Watford Locks we reach the long lock-free pound to Foxton with its staircase of ten locks arranged in two five lock flights. To the side of the locks is the site of the incline plane, which was built to replace the locks, but was not a success, and fell into disrepair. At the bottom of the locks we turn into the Market Harborough Arm and wind our way into the town.
Nearest railway stations Leighton Buzzard and Market Harborough.
Cruise 19 Market Harborough to Warwick
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 20 Warwick to Stratford-upon-Avon. 56 locks, 20 miles
Travelling north on the Grand Union Canal from Warwick we reach the foot of, ‘The Stairway to Heaven”, the Hatton flight of twenty-one locks. At the top of these is Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) leading to Kingswood Junction at Lapworth, where the Grand Union is linked by a short arm to the Stratford Canal. We take this link and join the Stratford by a re-opened channel between two cottages, one of which has a barrel roof, a feature of this canal. Another feature is the design of the bridges, which have a slot through the middle of them to take the horses rope, to save it having to be removed. Passing through Lowsonford and Preston Bagot, we arrive at Wootton Wawen and cross the A3400 on an iron aqueduct. At Edstone is another aqueduct which at 200 yards, is one of the longest in the country. The canal passes close to Mary Arden’s House at Wilmcote (She was Shakespeare’s mother). We now start the descent to Stratford, which we reach after sixteen locks, and arrive in the Bancroft Basin close to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
Nearest railway stations, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Cruise 21 Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester.
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 22 Worcester to Stone.
Awaiting Cruise Details!
Cruise 23. Stone to Northwich. 7 Nights
After leaving our Friendly mooring at Stone. This cruise takes us through the Potteries with the Potteries Industrial Museum at Etruria. We travel through the Harecastle Tunnel (2926 yards) which is the remaining tunnel of three built. The first canal tunnel had to be closed because of subsidence. The third was a railway tunnel, which was closed when the railway was re-routed. At Red Bull we start the descent towards Wheelock through a flight of 26 locks aptly named 'Heartbreak Hill'. Passing through the salt producing area we arrive at Middlewich then on towards the Anderton Lift. Leaving the lift we turn left on the River Weaver and cruise quietly towards Northwich with it very interesting Salt Museum.
Nearest railway stations. Stone And Northwich.
Cruise 24. Northwich to Whaley Bridge.
On leaving the river weaver at Northwich we rise up in the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift and turn right to head for Middlewich, skirting around the environs of industrial Northwich. We cruise through pleasant countryside equal to many other beautiful stretches in the country. Reaching Middlewich, we continue past (juction Name) where we join the Trent and Mersey Canal. We pass the British Salt factory and a large chemical factory and carry on to the foot of 'Heartbreak Hill', twenty-five locks over seven miles. At red Bull we turn left onto the Macclesfield canal, which is very beautiful as it winds its way through the Peak District. Then on to the Peak Forest Canal and follow the valley of the River Goyt into Whaley Bridge. and onto the magnificent Bugsworth basin.
Nearest railway stations, Northwich and Whaley Bridge.
Cruise 25. Whaley Bridge - Nantwich. 48 locks, 58 miles
On leaving Whaley Bridge we follow the Goyt valley to Marple. This section of the Peak Forest Canal is very picturesque and clings to the side of the valley as it winds on its way. At Marple we turn onto the Macclesfield Canal. There are several old mills along the length of the canal, mainly cotton mills but in Macclesfield itself silk mills. Some of the mills have been converted into offices, shops and restaurants as well as apartments. There is only one set of locks on the Macclesfield, twelve at Bosley. These are overlooked by a hill called 'The Cloud'. When we have descended the locks we pass through Congleton and reach the stop-lock at Hall Green. Passing over the Trent and Mersey Canal on an aqueduct we join it at Hardings Wood Junction. The next set of locks are known as 'Heartbreak Hill'. There are a total of twenty-five locks over the next seven miles. We are now in the heart of the salt country and pass a large chemical factory and the British Salt factory before reaching Middlewich. We take a sharp left-hand turn onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire union.At Barbridge Junction we turn left and soon passing the start of he Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction about 30 mins later we reach the Nantwich Canal Basin.
Nearest railway stations, Whaley Bridge, Nantwich and Crewe.
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