UK Canal Boating

Day 1

From Anderton marina you head south along the Trent & Mersey canal.
Away on your left you will see Marbury Country park which has woodlands carpeted with bluebells in the springtime, or relax under the shade of the lime avenues. Wander along the mere with splendid views over the water to the church at Great Budworth, or explore the arboretum and community orchard. Children will enjoy the play area, close to the picnic area.
There are attractive short stay moorings here if you have had a long trip and want to moor up somewhere local for the night.

As the canal heads towards Middlewich you move out into fine open country on a beautiful stretch of canal, often overhung by trees following the delightful valley of the River Dane.
There are pleasant moorings with picnic tables & BBQ just before Bridge 176. (just over 3 hours to here from Anderton marina)

As you descend into Middlewich there are 4 locks to be negotiated before you turn off right down the Middlewich Branch Canal. The canalside area of Middlewich is a haven of peace below the busy streets. The town has been extracting salt since Roman times, and there is an interesting town trail north of Bridge 172. There are various pubs canalside along this stretch.

It is worth spending your 1st night here if you have enough time to cruise for the 4 hours that it takes to get here from Anderton marina.

Day 2

As you go under the Bridge on the Middlewich Branch you encounter another lock, and after Bridge 27 as you head out of town there is another lock- Stanthorne Lock, and then you can relax & enjoy the scenery in the next lock free section of the canal.

This attractive & often under rated canal provides some wonderfully tranquil rural moorings. This is a quiet section of the canal, passing through rich farmland interspersed with woods.
There are no towns and only one small village, -Church Minshull, a good place to moor as the Badger pub is in the
village- about 10 minutes walk from Bridge 14 to your right along Cross lane . Soon you reach the Junction of the Shropshire Union Canal at Barbridge where you'll find the Jolly Tar pub or the Olde Barbridge Inn in canalside with moorings.

Turn left at the junction, towards Nantwich.
In a short while you will see the Llangollen Canal to your right, do not turn off the Shropshire Union however, as you will soon reach the lovely town of Nantwich.
It takes about 6.75 hours to get here from Middlewich.

Nantwich has been prosperous since Roman times because of the Salt springs, but the town was devastated by fire in 1583, and has mostly been rebuilt in the Tudor style.

There are numerous pubs & restaurants in the town.

If you have time to travel a bit further on, there is Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker very close to the canal. It is described as ' a unique and exiting day out.. discovering the unusual world of Nuclear Government', this unusual attraction beside bridge 85 would have become home to the select few in the event of a nuclear strike.

Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Its about 10.75 hours back to Anderton marina, so if you saw a nice pub on the way, you can make a bee line for it on the way back!!

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.