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Why Choose a Canal Holiday?
 The UK's unique 2,000 mile network of
fascinating inland waterways first began three centuries ago in North West
England with the building of the Trent & Mersey Canal, the first
purpose-built waterway. You can cruise along these old commercial routes, now
mellowed and beautiful, in comfortable, fully equipped self-drive narrow
boats.At a maximum speed of 4 miles an hour you can really appreciate the unspoilt countryside, pretty villages, fine old buildings and superb wildlife in a world ages apart from the modern-day rush of everyday life. No wonder it is said to be "the fastest way of slowing down"! You will experience wooded cuttings, soaring aqueducts and embankments, mysterious tunnels and 200 year old canalside wharfs and cottages. You can tailor your holiday to be as active as you like, by choosing a route that suits your taste, from the quiet, lock-free Bridgewater Canal to the busy 32 locks of the Cheshire flight up to Kidsgrove. Bring bicycles, or simply walk the towpath. Steering the boat and working the locks is easy and great fun and the rules are few. You can go where you want to and stop where you like. Cook onboard in a well equipped galley, barbecue or visit canalside pubs. Children enjoy helping with locks, feeding ducks and even steering the boat, with lifejackets provided for their safety. About Us We have been in business since 1971 as Willow Wren Kearns, with just two changes in ownership, one in 1983 and one in 2003, but the emphasis on hiring "character" boats, including traditional style craft has continued. We are a small company, with every aspect of it under the personal supervision of the owner. Every customer is seen personally and asked to complete a comments sheet, by which we continually assess our performance to ensure we are offering what you want and giving good value for money. We are also members of APCO, the inland waterways trade association which aims to promote the highest standards among boat operators. We are at the very hub of the famous and historic canal system of North West England and from our base, 3 routes radiate. Among these are some of the most attractive and popular routes on the system. This area is where canals started and four of the "seven wonders of the waterways" i.e.: Barton Swing Aqueduct, Anderton Boat Lift, Pontysyllte Aqueduct and Harecastle Tunnel, are within a weeks cruising. We are also well sited for access, being approximately 2 miles from junction 18 of the M6 motorway. Crewe main railway station is 7 miles away with frequent services from London and Manchester; from where you can reach us by taxi and Manchester Airport is 20 miles away with access by taxi or train - please ask for more details. |
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| Choosing a
Route (Please click on the map for a larger version.) Starting from Middlewich gives you an especially large variety of routes. However, for maximum enjoyment it is essential that you choose a suitable route for your party. You need to ask yourself three questions: What is my boating style - lazy, relaxed with maybe some sight-seeing or as much cruising as possible? Do I want many locks or just a few? Would I prefer totally rural or towns and cities to cruise through? Remember that although "Rings" are popular they can be lengthy and hard work and we would recommend that newcomers to narrowboating try a more relaxing "out and back" route when timing can more easily be gauged. Below is a list of the routes available, more details can be obtained by using our contact page. |
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Cruises Check Availability &
Book Online The Four Counties Ring: - (MODERATELY EASY) 94 LOCKS, 109 MILES, 50 HOURS CRUISING This gives a mixture of locks and levels travelling South along the Trent & Mersey into the 1¾ mile long Harecastle tunnel, through Stoke on Trent to Great Heywood. Continue South on to the Staffs & Worcester and north again on to the Shropshire Union and finally the Middlewich Branch to home. You can make a detour on to the Caldon canal from Stoke on Trent  The
Cheshire Ring: - (SOMETIMES FAIRLY INTENSE) 92 LOCKS, 100 MILES, 48 HOURS
CRUISING A cruise through the Peaks to the Plains! Travel south on the Trent & Mersey to Kidsgrove then north to the Macclesfield Canal, through the Marple lock flight to the Ashton Canal, down 16 locks into Manchester where you take the Rochdale canal. Leave on the Bridgewater canal to Preston Brook and re-enter the Trent & Mersey past the Anderton Boat Lift and through to Middlewich. Chester and Ellesmere Port: - (EASY) 36 LOCKS, 52 MILES, 24 HOURS TO CHESTER Travel along the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union to Barbridge Junction and turn North on to the Chester canal, through Bunbury, Beeston and on to Chester’s historic city with lots of sight-seeing. From there you can travel on past Chester Zoo to the Boat Museum and Ellesmere Port which will take another 4 hours. An easy relaxed route ideal for beginners, with plenty of interest for all the family. Llangollen: - MODERATELY EASY) 50 LOCKS, 112 MILES Travel along the remote and quiet Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union to Barbridge junction, up to Hurleston locks and through to Ellesmere. After this the route becomes increasingly hilly as you approach Chirk tunnel and aqueduct, and then on to the mighty Pontysyllte Aqueduct 150 feet above the River Dee. Probably the most popular route and also the shallowest — be prepared for queues at holiday time- Not a very easy route - slow outwards, but quicker coming back. Longer Cruises Check Availability & Book Online Leeds & Liverpool (Main Line): - (SOMETIMES FAIRLY INTENSE) 126 LOCKS, 264 MILES, 126 HOURS Travel north on the Trent & Mersey past the Anderton Boat lift, Preston Brook and up to Stretford on the Bridgewater canal, then over to the famous Barton Swing Aqueduct on to Leigh where the Leeds & Liverpool canal is met, After Wigan, go north to Walton and on to Bingley with its spectacular five lock staircase. A unique and fascinating trip into England's industrial past, combined with superb scenery. Severn Cruise: -TEWKESBURY - 136 LOCKS, 212 MILES, 94 HOURS GLOUCESTER- 138 LOCKS, 238 MILES, 103 HOURS Follow the Four Counties route in reverse to Autherley Junction and then South to Stourton, Stourport, Worcester and Tewkesbury on the River Severn. Continue to Gloucester from here. Birmingham Ring: - (MODERATELY EASY) 144 LOCKS, 156 MILES, 73 HOURS Follow the Four Counties route on the Trent & Mersey to Great Heywood, then on to Fradley, Fazeley, Salford Junction and Farmers Bridge in Central Birmingham. Continue to Autherley Junction and then back north on the Shropshire Union. Finally take the Middlewich Branch home. |
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Contact us for full details of the many routes you can choose from, with hiring from a short break, to a week or fortnight or even longer. |