Canal Boat Holidays & Short Breaks in Wales and the Marches

Click on the trip name for full details:

Llangollen Canal
Chester or Ellesmere Port & return
The Cheshire Ring
The Four Counties Ring
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
Llangynidr & return
Talybont-on-Usk & return

Choice of Routes index.

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Llangollen & return

From Whitchurch
(7 nights, 4 hours per day, 4 locks)
From Wrenbury
(7 nights, 5.5 hours per day, 24 locks)
From Blackwater Meadow
(7 nights, 1.5 hours per day, 4 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Llangollen Canal

The Llangollen Canal is arguably the most beautiful canal on the whole system and combines the gentle countryside of Shropshire and the more dramatic landscape of the Welsh border. It boasts one of the most striking features on the UK canals - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which can be reached from both Whitchurch and Wrenbury in a week or 4 night mid week break (you will not be able to cross over the aqueduct in a 3 night weekend break).

Unusually, this canal has a flow of 2mph as it feeds other canals, so the outbound journey will always be slower than on the way back. The last locks are at New Marton, half way between Ellesmere and Chirk. From there on, as it clings to the hillside contours, an enchanting blend of aqueducts and tunnels takes the canal, lock free, to Llangollen.

New visitor moorings in Llangollen are now available, but charges do apply and you need to arrive by 4.30pm. Take a steam train ride from Llangollen up the Dee Valley or visit the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran.

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Chester or Ellesmere Port & return

From Anderton to Chester,
(7 nights, 5.5 hours per day, 44 locks)
From Wrenbury to Chester
(7 nights, 4 hours per day, 46 locks)
From Whitchurch to Chester
(7 nights, 5 hours per day, 66 locks)
From Gailey
(10 nights, 6.5 hours, 44 locks)
From Blackwater Meadow to Chester
(7 nights, 6 hours, 66 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Llangollen Canal
Middlewich Canal
Shropshire Union Canal

For Ellesmere Port add 1.5 hours per day and 8 locks On this popular countryside route the locks are well spaced for easy cruising. You can choose to travel to Chester and then retrace your steps back to the marina or continue along the Shropshire Union main line to its historic terminal on the River Mersey at Ellesmere Port.

Mooring in Chester is within easy reach of the walled city centre with its medieval ‘rows’ where there are a variety of shops, galleries and the majestic cathedral.

Chester Tourist Information Centre 01244 402111

Chester Zoo is just a short walk from the canal. 01244 380280

The fascinating Boat Museum 0151 355 5017 at Ellesmere Port is a few locks beyond Chester, near to the junction with the Manchester Ship Canal. The museum has an extensive collection of preserved inland waterway craft and display areas in many of the former warehouses.

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The Cheshire Ring

From Anderton
(7 nights, 8 hours per day, 92 locks)
From Wrenbury
(7 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 114 locks)
From Whitchurch
(14 nights, 6 hours per day, 137 locks)
From Blackwater Meadow
(14 nights, 7 hours per day, 137 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Ashton Canal
Bridgewater Canal
Llangollen Canal
Macclesfield Canal
Middlewich Canal
Shropshire Union Canal
Trent and Mersey Canal

A fascinating trip that takes you through the heart of Manchester and the Peak District with its distinctive stone architecture.

Moor at Castlefields to explore the city of Manchester, including Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C. 0870 4421994

The huge Arndale Shopping Centre and the Science & Industry Museum. 0161 832 2244

The trip will let you enjoy glorious scenery as the Pennine Range overlooks the canal and, if time allows, detour along the Peak Forest canal to its terminus. Enjoy the stunning views from Marple and at Anderton pause to visit the fabulously restored boat lift which now operates throughout the cruising season to link the canal with the River Weaver.

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Four Counties Ring

From Anderton
(10/11 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 102 locks)
From Wrenbury
(10/11 nights, 6.5 hours per day, 112 locks)
From Whitchurch
(14 nights, 6 hours per day, 132 locks)
From Gailey
(7 nights, 8.5 hours per day, 110 locks)
From Blackwater Meadow
(14 nights, 7 hours per day, 132 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Llangollen Canal
Middlewich Canal
Shropshire Union Canal
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal
Trent and Mersey Canal

This is a popular circular route that takes you on a fascinating journey through parts of Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Cheshire.

This is an active trip, but well worth the extra effort. There is lots to see including:
Wedgwood Pottery factory 01782 204141
The Wedgwood Museum at Barlaston 01782 282986

The impressive 2926-yard long Harecastle Tunnel and at Great Haywood, Shugborough Hall 01889 881388

You will travel on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, the Trent and Mersey, Shropshire Union and Llangollen Canal depending on which base you start from, giving you a variety of scenery from the rolling Staffordshire countryside to the Cheshire Plains to extensive views of the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

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Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

From Goytre
(7 nights, 7.5 hours per day, 12 Locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

The canal meanders and threads its way through the countryside for 36 miles with a remarkable diversity of scenery and often following the magnificent River Usk.

Goytre Wharf itself, the name meaning ‘place in the woods’, was once used to supply coal to the nearby estate. Lime kilns remain as well as an aqueduct dating from 1812 and with its licensed restaurant providing a popular place for visitors.

Pontymoile at one end of the canal was once a place thriving with activity with its warehouses and neighbouring industry and is now a convenient mooring place for Pontypool Leisure Centre with its swimming pool and dry ski slope.

Between here and Brecon at the other end it passes close to Abergavenny, often referred to as the gateway to Wales, Crickhowell with its 13 arch bridge, Talybont -on-Usk with its four mile long reservoir, and a number of other delightful villages.

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Llangynidr & return

From Goytre
(3 nights, 7 hours a day, 0 or 2 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

You can choose a leisurely lock free cruise with fine views along the valley and by turning below the lock at Llangynidr village, or if you want the experience of locking the boat, you can turn just above the first lock.

Talybont-on–Usk & return

From Goytre
(4 nights, 7 hours a day, 10 locks)

Maps and Guides for sale

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

This trip takes you further up the canal climbing 5 locks and passing through the Ashford Tunnel to the village of Talybont-on-Usk where you can still see the wharf with its lime kilns and the old tram road up the side of the mountain.

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