Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Llangollen, Ellesmere and Return – 37 miles, 4 locks, 16 hours total
A great weekend route with very few locks to do and the chance to cross over the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, dubbed ‘The stream in the sky’. Start your journey heading west from the base at Trevor along the Llangollen Canal. Within two hours of lock-free cruising you will come to the town of Llangollen - a great place to stop for the first evening. Moor at Llangollen Basin to visit this interesting town, with the Llangollen Steam Railway, the Horseshoe Falls and the remains of Dinas Bran Castle being some of the attractions on offer. There are several pubs and restaurants to choose from for your evening meal. Turn at the basin to start the second part of your journey, passing the base at Trevor you’ll be on the approach to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. This magnificent waterways structure stands at 126ft above the River Dee, offering spectacular views of the valleys below. Cruise on towards the Whitehouse Tunnel of 191yds before entering the much longer Chirk Tunnel (459yds) and crossing the impressive Chirk Aqueduct. Stop off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle Continue cruising through quiet green countryside to the only two locks on your journey at New Marton. Pass by the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction and follow the rural winding course of the canal until you reach Ellesmere Branch visitor moorings. Take some time to visit the attractive 18th Century market town with its good selection of pubs, before turning at the moorings for the journey back to Trevor.
Intermediate route: Llangollen, Whixall Moss and Return – 50 miles, 4 locks, 22 hours total
Start your journey by heading west on the Llangollen Canal from the base at Trevor, to the town of Llangollen. Use the moorings in the town’s basin to visit attractions such as the Horseshoe Falls, Dinas Bran Castle and the Llangollen Steam Railway. Pop into the town for a great selection of pubs and restaurants. Turn at the basin and travel past the base at Trevor and across the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, crossing over the River Dee 126ft below and offering spectacular views of the valleys. Cruise through the Chirk Tunnel (459yds), followed by the impressive Chirk Aqueduct, stopping off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. Continue through peaceful, rural countryside to the two locks at New Marton. Navigate through the locks and cruise past the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction and continue past Ellesmere to the Ellesmere Tunnel of 87yds. Cruise through several beautiful meres and a nature reserve on the way to Whixall Moss Junction. The area is a designated Sight of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the rare insect and plant life. At the junction, there is a winding hole, ready for you to turn your boat for the journey back to Trevor.
Active route: Llangollen, Whitchurch and Return – 61 miles, 4 locks, 27.5 hours total
Suited to a midweek break due to the cruising hours involved. Head west from the marina at Trevor towards the town of Llangollen for the first evening. Moor at Llangollen Basin and walk into the town for a great selection of pubs and restaurants. Take in some of Llangollen’s attractions, such as Dinas Bran Castle, the Horseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Steam Railway before departing the marina and cruising north on the Llangollen Canal back past the base. Cruise across the mighty Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, standing 126ft above the River Dee, taking in the stunning views as you go. Continue through the Whitehouse Tunnel (191yds) and the Chirk Tunnel (459yds) followed by the striking Chirk Aqueduct. Tackle the two locks at New Marton and cruise through Frankton Junction and onto Ellesmere, using the visitor moorings to walk into this delightful 18th Century market town if time permits. Continue on from Ellesmere, through Ellesmere Tunnel (87yds) and the meres on the way to Whixall Moss. Cruise through pretty quite countryside to the Whitchurch Arm, where there are moorings available. Take an enjoyable ½ mile walk into the interesting Roman town of Whitchurch, which hosts beautiful old houses, along with a striking church dating back to 1713, not to mention a fine selection of pubs to choose from. Turn at the winding hole in the Whitchurch Arm to start your journey back to Trevor.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Llangollen, Wrenbury and Return – 75 miles, 24 locks, 36 hours total
A great weekly route allowing boaters to take their time and appreciate the picturesque surroundings along the Llangollen Canal. From the base at Trevor, head west to the town of Llangollen, where there are moorings available in the basin. Spend some time exploring some of the town’s highlights including the Horseshoe Falls, Dinas Bran Castle and the Llangollen Steam Railway. Turn at the basin for the journey towards the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, just past the base at Trevor. Travel across this waterways marvel, making the most of the breathtaking views of the valley 126ft below as you cross. Continue through the Whitehouse Tunnel (191yds), Chirk Tunnel (459yds) and across the Chirk Aqueduct, stopping off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle before navigating through the first two locks of the journey at New Marton. Cruise on past the market town of Ellesmere, use the visitor moorings if you wish to stop off to explore the town or visit one of the pubs. Continue through the Ellesmere Tunnel and through several beautiful meres until you reach the Roman town of Whitchurch. Use the moorings on the Whitchurch arm for a pleasant ½ mile walk into the town. Cruise on through rural, picturesque countryside to the staircase locks at Grindley Brook, 6 in total. There is a useful farm store and a canalside cafe located by the last lock. From here it is roughly a four hour cruise to Wrenbury, with only one canalside pub at Wileymoor. Cruise on towards Wrenbury, through the lift bridge and moor up along the towpath, close to the pubs and Wrenbury Mill. The village is ¼ mile away and is a listed conservation area as it is home to many interesting period properties. Turn at Wrenbury Mill to begin your journey back to Trevor.
Intermediate route: Llangollen, Hurleston Junction and Return – 88 miles, 42 locks, 44.5 hours total
A great weekly cruise allowing boaters to travel the entire length of the Llangollen Canal. Start your journey by heading west on the Llangollen Canal from the base at Trevor, to the town of Llangollen. Use the moorings in the town’s basin to visit attractions such as the Horseshoe Falls, Dinas Bran Castle and the Llangollen Steam Railway. Pop into the town for a great selection of pubs and restaurants. Turn at the basin and travel past the base at Trevor and across the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, crossing over the River Dee 126ft below and offering spectacular views of the valleys. Cruise through the Chirk Tunnel (459yds), followed by the impressive Chirk Aqueduct, stopping off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. Continue through peaceful, rural countryside to the two locks at New Marton. Navigate through the locks and cruise past the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction and continue past Ellesmere to the Ellesmere Tunnel of 87yds. Cruise through several beautiful meres and a nature reserve to the Roman town of Whitchurch. Use the moorings on the Whitchurch arm for a pleasant ½ mile walk into the town. Cruise on through rural, picturesque countryside to the staircase locks at Grindley Brook, there is a canalside cafe and farm shop by the locks. Cruise on, passing a canalside pub at Wileymoor to the village of Wrenbury. Moor along the towpath by the pubs. The village is ¼ mile away and is a listed conservation area as it is home to many interesting period properties. Cruise past Wrenbury hall and through the Baddiley Locks, passing through rich farmland and attractive canalside gardens until you reach the four Hurleston Locks. Use the winding hole after the locks to turn your boat and cruise back to Trevor.
Active route: Llangollen, Nantwich and Return – 92 miles, 42 locks, 48 hours total
From the base at Trevor, head west to the town of Llangollen, where there are moorings available in the basin. Spend some time exploring some of the town’s highlights including the Horseshoe Falls, Dinas Bran Castle and the Llangollen Steam Railway. Turn at the basin for the journey towards the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, just past the base at Trevor. Continue through the 459yd Chirk Tunnel, followed by the Chirk Aqueduct. Stop off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. Travel through the pretty rural villages all the way to Hurleston Junction, where you will join the Shropshire Union Canal. Cruise south down the Shropshire Union Canal through a couple of bridges over the Nantwich Chester Road on a cast iron aqueduct. Mooring near the bridge you are a short walk from Nantwich market town. Nantwich was the centre of the salt mining industry until the 19th Century and has some fine Tudor buildings, antique dealers, boutique shops and traditional food shops. The town also hosts various festivals during the year including the Jazz Festival, Food Festival and the International Cheese Awards. There is a winding hole just south of the town where you can turn the boat to return to the boatyard.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Llangollen, Chester and Return – 121 miles, 64 locks, 62 hours total
This route combines two of the most popular journeys on the canal network. Firstly travelling to the Llangollen basin, followed by travelling the length of the Llangollen Canal and joining onto the Shropshire Union Canal to visit the historic city of Chester. Start your journey heading west from the Marina to the town of Llangollen, moor at the basin for a small fee to visit the Horseshoe Falls and explore the town. To begin your cruise to Chester, head east on the Llangollen Canal from the basin, travel across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest and tallest aqueduct in the UK at over 120ft high, the aqueduct offers the most spectacular unspoilt views of the Welsh countryside and the River Dee below. Continue through the 459yd Chirk Tunnel, followed by the Chirk Aqueduct. Stop off at Chirk to visit the pleasant town and the National Trust’s Chirk Castle. Travel through the pretty rural villages all the way to Hurleston Junction, where you will join the Shropshire Union Canal. Known for its beauty, the Shropshire Union will take you through picturesque scenery and canalside towns, such as Beeston. Worth a stop to visit Beeston Castle, which can be reached from the canal; the former royal castle offers spectacular views of the Cheshire Plain and Welsh mountains. To visit Chester, moor up by Cow Lane Bridge 123E, where you can walk into the city and visit Chester Zoo and admire the Roman Walls and Medieval architecture. Use the winding hole at the bridge to turn your boat, ready for the journey back to Trevor. This route can also be achieved in a 10/11 night holiday, with roughly 6.5 hours cruising per day.
Intermediate route: Llangollen, Brewood and Return – 160 miles, 98 locks, 83 hours total
From the base at Trevor, head west to the town of Llangollen, where there are moorings available in the basin. Spend some time exploring some of the town’s highlights including the Horseshoe Falls, Dinas Bran Castle and the Llangollen Steam Railway. Turn at the basin for the journey towards the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, just past the base at Trevor. Continue through Chirk, passing through the Chirk Tunnel and across the Chirk Aqueduct. Cruise north up the Llangollen Canal to Hurleston Junction. The northern stretch of the Llangollen Canal offers picturesque countryside views, the Grindley Staircase Locks and historic churches. Once at Hurleston Junction cruise south, passing under a bridge which leads you to wide open green fields as you travel towards Nantwich. Nantwich is an interesting traditional Cheshire town with black & white timber buildings and various cafes and restaurants available just a short walk from the bridge. There is a great selection of country walks in this area if you fancy stretching your legs, or for something slightly different, visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker located near bridge 85. Returning to your boat, you continue cruising south through hedge lined farms to Audlem, where the lock free stretch ends. There are a couple of waterfront pubs, and opportunities to pick up food provisions before making your way through the flight of 15 locks to Market Drayton. Market Drayton is an attractive town, said to be the home of gingerbread, due its link to with Robert Clive, who brought spices back to the UK after his travels to the East. Continue cruising south on the Shropshire Union, passing through small villages and past canalside pubs until you reach the village of Brewood. There are visitor moorings available a short walk from the village where you can visit Speedwell Castle, the grade II listed 18th century red-bricked building is located directly in the market square. In the village you will also find several traditional pubs and an Indian restaurant. Turn at the wharf to start the journey back to Trevor.
Active route: The Four Counties Ring – 189 miles, 136 locks, 102 hours total
Start your journey by cruising north up the Llangollen Canal to Hurleston Junction, there are 19 locks along this stretch to get you started and pretty countryside views. The Four Counties Ring offers an unforgettable cruise through the counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and West Midlands. The tranquil route explores uplifting landscapes that unravel some of the nation's grandest stories of pottery, salt and engineering marvels. Head southwest on the Shropshire Union Canal past Nantwich - home to interesting black & white timber buildings, cafes and independent boutiques. The Shropshire Union Canal passes through pretty farmland and quaint canalside towns and villages. There are lift bridges often left open, with a lock free stretch which is interrupted by the lock flight at Audlem - where you can take a break at one of the canalside pubs, providing a selection of everything our canal's have to offer. At Autherley Junction head north east onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal - there is a very narrow stretch between the junction and bridge 74, so keep a look out for oncoming boats. Pass Gailey Wharf with its canalside shop and Penkridge where there is a handful of locks and pubs. If you need to top up on supplies you can stop at Radford Bridge which is approximately 1.5 miles from Stafford - there is a bus service to the town from here. Follow the canal through Tixall Wide with the woodland concealing Shugborough Hall to the south of the waterway. At Great Haywood you join the Trent & Mersey Canal and start heading north to make your way to Stoke on Trent passing the busy town of Stone. You pass through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent and then onto the Harecastle Tunnel, which is 2926yds (remember to book your passage). Passing Harding’s Wood Junction, there are a couple of waterfront pubs to stop for some refreshment before navigating through the 'Cheshire Locks'. Wheelock is a busy little village with a selection of pubs. At the Middlewich Junction, head west and onto the Middlewich Branch, which offers rural moorings and a small aqueduct which carries the canal over the River Weaver. Once at Barbridge Junction turn south to make your way back onto the Shropshire Union Canal for approximately one mile before rejoining the Llangollen Canal and returning the boat to the marina. If time permits once back to Trevor, continue on to the town of Llangollen, which takes around 2 hours each way.
