Canal Boat Holidays on the Four Counties Ring

By Abbie Bacchus

A circular route which is perhaps slightly more challenging in terms of it's level of difficulty, but well worth the effort!

The Four Counties Ring satisfies boating holiday goers looking for rural views, with the Cheshire plains visible from your narrowboat, and pastoral scenes amid the Cheshire locks climbing to the panoramic views at 'Heartbreak Hill'. The ring route offers a diverse mix of wildlife, countryside views, quaint villages and city life.

Which canals are part of the Four Counties Ring?

Shropshire Union Canal (1827)
Middlewich Branch (1833)
Wardle Canal (1829)
Trent & Mersey Canal (1777)
Staffs & Worcs Canal (1771)
Cruising up the Shropshire Union Canal with it's rolling countryside, the southern stretch of this navigation offers lock free cruising until Market Drayton, a traditional market town. The town is full of 17th Century architecture and has been home to gingerbread for the last 200 years. Cruising north takes you through Adderley and to Nantwich, a historic town just south of Hursleton Junction containing over a hundred listed buildings. Passing through the town by boat you cross the Nantwich aqueduct and north to the Middlewich Branch.

Middlewich is set in the middle of the Cheshire salt industry, from the canal you can see mountains of salt next to the remains of Roman salt sites. Middlewich is home to an impressive set of historic halls and gardens, such as Little Moreton Hall, one of the most famous Tudor Halls in England, Rode Hall and Dorfold Hall. Cruising from Middlewich to Stoke-On-Trent via the Trent & Mersey is the most lock heavy section of the ring. The Cheshire Locks are a flight of 26 locks dating back to the 1770's which raise the canal from the Cheshire Plain to the Summit Level at Kidsgrove.

The Trent & Mersey Canal is home to the spooky Harecastle Tunnel just north of Stoke on Trent, which spans approximately 1.75 miles. Mooring just south of Stoke-on-Trent you can explore the city on foot, spending time discovering the famous Staffordshire Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Wedgewood Museum. Staffordshire is perfect for foodies, Stoke-On-Trent has plenty of fine food restaurants & every October the market town on Stone hosts a 3 day Food and Drink Festival to celebrate the best of Staffordshire's local food produce.

As you pass the Haywood Junction onto the Staffordshire & Worcester (Staffs & Worcs) Canal the waterways widen, rumour has it that when this section of the canal was built the landowner had insisted that the canal be widened as he thought narrow canals were unsightly! This is now referred to as Tixall Wide just southeast of Great Haywood. The Staffs & Worcs Canal stretches approximately 20.5 miles from the Haywood Junction to Autherley Junction, where to continue on the Four Counties ring, you cruise north back onto the Shropshire Union Canal. There are 12 locks on this stretch including a flight of four locks just as you cruise past Gailey.

We would recommend a 1 week holiday minimum for those wishing to complete this ring route, depending on daylight hours and level of experience. Although 10 days would be make for a more comfortable cruising schedule as to achieve this route in a week you would need to cruise approximately 9.5 hours a day. For those with no previous experience who really want to do a ring route rather than an out and back journey, there are shorter circular routes that we would recommend you try first, such as the Droitwich Ring or Birmingham Ring.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly team with regards to Canal boat holidays or any of the boating holidays we offer, such as Norfolk Broads boat hire, please do get in touch. The staff at Waterways Holidays are experienced boaters, and are more than happy to discuss boating holidays with you. Our number is 01252 796400 and we are open 7 days a week.

A Day Out at Barton Country Farm Park near the Kennet and Avon Canal

Barton Country Farm Park is a beautiful park that stretches from Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon to the Avoncliff aqueduct. The Barton Country Farm Park is sandwiched between the river Avon below and the Kennet and Avon Canal above.

Find out more about Barton Country Farm Park

Using Canal Holiday Guides to Make Your Narrowboat Holiday Run Smoothly

By Cliff K Bayliss

I tend to over prepare. I get all the canal maps and guides, and plan where we will moor, where the best pubs are, where the water points are located. When the markets are on, where the local buses go, what is going on in the towns.

You don't have to go to that extreme, but a little preparation will help your narrow boat holiday run smoothly.

Most important to have is a good, informative Canal Guide for the canals you are cruising.

Which one do you buy?

There are three main cruising guides: Nicholson, Pearson, and Waterways World.

So let's look at them all.

Nicholson probably have the largest range of Canal Guides to the British canals available, and have a good reputation. They are bound in a solid cover, (all are red) and some have a spiral spine.

We have not used them a lot, but many fellow boaters do. Our share owned "Stella" had a full set on board and we found them easy to use and robust.

Some years back they were the 'Boat Owners Guide", with the other guides being relegated for Hire Boaters use. This is not quite the case now. Nicolsons Guides cover all the Canals and rivers of the U.K with good descriptions, lots of photos. The maps run from the top of the page, to the bottom.

Waterways World has had a checkered career in the canal guide market. We used them exclusively for our first ever trip in '85, and still have three of their original guides. For years waterways World have been the leading Waterways magazine, but for some reason they disappeared from the guide scene. Their Canal Guides are back now, featuring the Llangollen, Grand Union (South), Shropshire Union, and Oxford. I don't like the new format quite as much as the old style, which I found easier to follow. And I liked the ads! However, they are bound in a sturdy wire bound cover, to lay nicely on the boats roof for easy reference. They also run from top of the page to bottom, with the colour map on the right hand page. Lovely colour photos, (typical of Waterways World) there are more canal guides planned from them.

Pearsons is our canal guide choice. We have been using Pearsons since our '85 trip, and have continued to do so. Their very detailed maps run from left to right, with the corresponding text underneath, the only guides to be in landscape format. It is clear informative and accurate. At the top of each page, is the number of miles travelled, the number of locks, and the time taken to travel that particular length of canal. We find this particularly useful when planning our trip.

Pearson writes in a unique, entertaining style, (e.g. "Foxton Village basks in the sun like a sleek cat that has just had two helping of cream"), with handy notes on each village and the facilities in the town. Their guides cover the majority of canals in the U.K., including Llangollen, Shroppie, Oxford, Grand Union and Trent and Mersey. My only problem with the Pearsons, is the covers tend to part company with the rest of the pages after a few outings. But this is easily fixed with a stapler. Otherwise, we love them!

Which one is best?

It is entirely personal. Have a look at each one, talk to other boaters, and make a decision. We have a selection of all of them. So... have fun choosing, and Happy Cruising!

You can find lots more about your narrowboat holiday by visiting: http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com

A Tour Around Sydney Gardens in Bath

Are you planning a trip to Sydney Gardens in Bath and what to know what to expect?

Take a look at this video tour of Sydney Gardens, taking in narrow boats on the Kennet and Avon canal and the trains whizzing along the railway lines. Notice how close you get to the train lines.

Sydney Gardens also has tennis courts and a play area for kids.

If you would like more information about Sydney Gardens, visithttp://www.narrowboatholidays-kennet.co.uk/sydney-pleasure-gardens-bath.php

South-England: The Kennet and Avon Canal and the Caen Hill Locks in Devizes

The Kennet and Avon Canal is a canal in southern England. The name may refer to either the route of the original Kennet and Avon Canal Company, which linked the River Kennet at Newbury to the River Avon at Bath, or to the entire navigation between the River Thames at Reading and the Floating Harbour at Bristol, including the earlier improved river navigations of the River Kennet between Reading and Newbury and the River Avon between Bath and Bristol.

Today the canal is a tourism destination. Boating, with both narrowboats and cruisers, is popular, particularly in the summer months.

The Three Magpies Pub On The Kennet And Avon Canal

The Three Magpies pub is a beautiful oldie worldie pub just a short walk from the Kennet canal towpath. If you stop at the Foxhunter Wharf at bridge 149 there is a short quiet road to walk down. Or you can stop at bridge 148, but this is a far busier road, not ideal for families with young children. Both ways are about the same distance for walking, about 4 minutes from the bridge.

The Three Magpies pub is brilliantly situated for the boater, because it is close to the Cean Hill Locks, so you can either have a hearty meal the night before you go through the locks, or you can enjoy a relaxing meal at the end of a long day after completing the course of 29 locks. J.M. Pearson & sons Ltd says “Five to six hours being considered a good performance for clearance of the flight” and that deserves a well cooked meal in anybody’s book.

The Three Magpies does indeed cook a very good meal, serving food at both lunchtimes and evenings. The menu is nothing out of the ordinary, but the food is cooked well and there’s plenty of it. They pride themselves on quality of their food and value for money and they do deliver on this claim.

The pub has a very friendly atmosphere and the décor is an interesting style of displays of collections. The eclectic appearance reminded me of an antique shop in Lechlade-on-Thames. With so many interesting nick-knacks on every surface with space, it does give you something to look and chat about whilst you are waiting for your meal to arrive.

See if you spot the fish tank in the rafters in the dinning area. It does spark off conversations of the practicalities of having a fish tank so high up. It’s also great for pulling the leg’s of the fishermen in the crew who still have yet to catch a fish bigger than one swimming in the tank.

The service at the Three Magpies is very good, we were very quickly seated and given menus, and we didn’t have to wait long for food to arrive. A speedy meal is important for a hungry boat crew.

The beer too was very good, serving Wadworth beers and ales, which of course is locally brewed.

The Three Magpies has a camp site adjacent to it, so the pub can get busy during the evenings, but you can ring ahead to reserve a table to avoid disappointment. It is always advisable where possible to book a table when you are on a narrow boat holiday, because pubs can be a good hour apart and in a slow moving narrow boat, you can’t nip to the next pub in five minutes like you can in a car.

The Three Magpies has beautifully kept gardens both at the font of the pub and in the beer garden. And on warm sunny days it is lovely to sit in the garden and watch nature going about its business whilst you enjoy a pint. There is also an old fashioned public telephone box close to the pub if there are any calls that you need to make. Mobile phone signals are not always great along the Kennet canal.

The Three Magpies is a pub on our recommended list on the Kennet and Avon waterway, and well worth visiting; if not for dinner then just for a drink and a rest. The pub is warm and friendly, and it’s a family friendly pub, which offers great value for money with great quality food.

A boaters guide to the Kennet and Avon Canal

Enjoy the History and Sights With an Oxford Canal Boat Holiday

By Dipika Patel

No canal boat holiday in the UK would be complete without some stunning views and good old English history. An established town since the 9th century, Oxford plays host to some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK, some of its richest history and most exciting places to visit.

Among the most famous of these is the highly acclaimed Ashmolean Museum. Originally established in 1683, this treasure trove of art and architecture contains some of the most important sights in the UK today. With a state-of-the-art education centre and a lovely rooftop restaurant for a unique dining experience, the Ashmolean in itself could be a full day out during your England narrow boat holiday.

Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy the city of Oxford and imbibe its glorious culture is to venture out of doors. The Botanical Gardens, looked after by the internationally-renowned University of Oxford, display over 7,000 plants, making it one of the widest and most beautiful collections in the UK.

If you are a keen walker and are interested in seeing more of the city on foot, guided walking tours are an excellent idea. If you are a TV addict and love Inspector Morse, why not take a tour of areas used in filming the staple British detective series? If you are looking for something to entertain the children while letting them burn off some energy, the Harry Potter guided tour should tick all the boxes - both for the little ones and for you!

Walking tours are not the only way to explore Oxford's status as a prime filming location. The White Horse Inn enjoys fame not only for its delicious fish, chips and fine ales, but also as the favourite watering hole of Inspector Morse himself. The stylish Randolf Hotel also holds associations with the shrewd detective, boasting the Morse Bar ¬- a charming venue for a civilised drink in the evening.

Not to be outdone by the reputation of the TV character, the Randolf also offers splendid luxury rooms and fine high tea - a wonderful refreshing treat after an afternoon walking tour or wander around the Ashmolean. Adults will love the excellent tea in sophisticated surroundings, serenaded by relaxing live piano playing, while children will love the exciting miniature (and full size!) cakes on offer, as well as the impressive surroundings.

Another classic Oxford activity not to be missed once you have ventured off your holiday boats is its great tradition of punting. Situated on the River Cherwell, punting trips run all day, and whilst you may think another boat trip is not necessary, the unique experience and pleasure of punting will prove you otherwise. The beautiful scenery and peacefulness of the trip are ideal for adults and wonderfully romantic for couples. Children will love the sense of adventure boating through the trees.

Oxford allows you to experience British history and architecture whilst providing the usual modern delights. Shopping in Oxford is a joy - there are of course all the big high street names, but much more exciting are the unique shops on offer scattered through both the main and back streets. The Covered Market is perhaps one of the finest examples of this, offering quaint little food shops, from pies to fresh fish, meat and cheeses to speciality cakes made specifically to requests - you can even watch the latter being made and decorated. You can also buy all kinds of beautiful clothes, bags and souvenirs from your canal boat holiday to delight your friends upon your return home.

Famously the University of Oxford is the most prominent institution in the county, and indeed the stunning buildings it occupies add to its national fame. Many of the colleges are open to tourists, allowing you to see the fantastic architecture so important to the city's identity.

Of course, just as important to the students themselves are excellent pubs that can be found all over the city. One of the most treasured is the Turf Tavern, nigh impossible to find without directions if you have never been, but so worth the enjoyable hunt to get to it.

Canal boat hire is the ideal way to enjoy this stunning city, allowing you to enjoy the ambience from the moment you sail in. From museums to pubs, gardens to rooftop dining, Oxford offers truly unique canal boat holidays in the UK that can be enjoyed by families, couples and groups of friends alike.

No England narrow boat holiday would be complete without trip to the beautiful city of Oxford, so when you are organising your canal boat hire, make sure you add this stunning English haven to your itinerary.

Holiday boats are a great way to travel to and enjoy this picturesque city with so much to offer visitors of all ages - there is no better location for canal boat holidays in the UK.

A Canal Holiday on the Four Counties Ring

By Cliff K Bayliss

A popular canal circuit that takes the traveler across three canals, four counties, through the contrasting salt towns of Middlewich and Nantwich, through the Harecastle Tunnel, 94 locks and 110 miles.

All of it superb!

As a canal boat holiday, it has everything.

There is rural scenery, industrial heritage, engineering feats, and warm cozy village pubs.

Now I have to admit right now that we have not done the circuit in one cruise. But we have covered the entire ring over various trips.

We joined the canal at Middlewich, an old salt town, with the very welcoming Kings Lock Inn. Good moorings here between the lock, and bridge 166.

And, by Big Lock, is the Big Lock Inn, serving a fine pint of Theakston XB, and Directors. There is a canal side garden, and it is boater and family friendly. We quite liked Middlewich, good moorings, a useful selection of shops, two banks, Somerfield and a chandlery by the boatyard.

Wheelock also provides good moorings, a newsagent, and one of our favorite pubs on the trip, the Cheshire Cheese, where our kids gave the juke box a fine work out. A news agency and post office make Wheelock a pleasant spot to re-stock. If you have time, visit the Commercial Hotel, a classic friendly pub with cozy rooms.

From Wheelock onwards, the locks start to get serious, with 26 of them over the next 7 miles before to Kidsgrove and the Harecastle Tunnel.

This was a real culture shock for us, Australians on our first ever canal cruise finding ourselves motoring through the industrial history of England operating heavy slow locks that a year previously, we didn't even know existed!

But we loved it, and what a great stretch of canal it is!

Most of the locks along here are doubled, an improvement made in the 1830's by Thomas Telford to speed up traffic. The locks are spread out, so they are too far for a flight, and too close to take a breather!

The remains of industry, and the potteries, are evident everywhere along this stretch. It's a rural cruise now, with lovely scenery, right down to Lawton Three locks, which is closely followed by Church Locks.

And so we come to Kidsgrove. Here the Macclesfield leaves the Trent and Mersey, heading south, to eventually swing north back at Red Bull, the precursor to today's motorway junction, but a lot more attractive.

The canal water has a real orange tinge, and the closer you get to Harecastle Tunnel, the more orange it gets. By the tunnel, it is a rich maroon colour.

Harecastle Tunnel is 2,962 feet long. Passage through is controlled by BW staff. It is a chilly and spooky experience, but, being one way working, one does not have to worry about oncoming boats. The tunnel used today is the second one opened at Harecastle. The first was opened in 1777. The current one was opened in 1827, (completed in three years, as opposed to the original one taking eleven years!)to ease congestion caused by the huge increase in traffic. In 1914 the original tunnel was abandoned due to bad subsidence and declining traffic, it can be seen blocked off next to the existing tunnel.

After the 40 minute or so journey through the tunnel, it is with some relief to cruise into daylight and more at Longport. There is a water point just by the exit to the Caldon Canal.

Stoke is a canal friendly town, with plenty of moorings.

Although most of the pottery trade has gone, you can still see remnants around Stoke, with bottle kilns, warehouses and old factories reminding us of what used to be.

From Stoke, it is a pleasant cruise through Hem Heath where a pleasant little gift shop operates. There are good moorings by bridge 103 to wander into Barlaston, where the Plume of Feathers is a welcome sight

The Wedgewood Visitor Centre can also be reached from bridge 104.

Try and pause a while at Stone. It is a delightful, bustling town, once the headquarters of the Trent and Mersey Canal Company.

Another boater friendly town, moorings are plentiful, and the town centre only a few minutes away.

The Star Inn, by bridge 93, is one of the oldest pubs on the system, and serves a fine Banks, and Pedigree, and serves bar meals. Don't miss it.

In the town, Safeway and Somerfield both have supermarkets, and there are plenty of other shops to restock the fridge.

We found mooring before lock 27 (just before bridge 93) ideal, handy to the Star and the town.

Continuing on through the lovely Trent Valley, the canal accompanied by the rail and road heads towards Great Haywood.

It is well worth a stop at Sandon, a pretty village a brief stroll from bridge 83. There you can relax at the Dog and Doublet with its timeless atmosphere and Bass beers. There is also a handy Post Office and store here.

As the canal turns towards Weston, the railway thunders past, emphasizing the pleasure of the quiet 3 mph canal life.

Just try sitting on the village green near the marvelous Woolpack at Weston. Selling Marston's Ales, this pub has been highly recommended by Pearson's and other guides, and rightly so. Also has post office and store in the village.

Great Haywood is one of our favorite canal villages. With its beautiful towpath bridge, it is as lovely a spot as you will find on the system. There are ample moorings here, especially pleasing after bridge 73 with an outlook over Shugborough Hall We first visited Great Heywood in 1985 on our very first canal boat holiday. We were returning our Anglo Welsh boat at the end of the cruise., It was cold, and wet, so didn't see a lot of the town. We had to wait until 2005, to get back. But, get back we did, with our share-owned boat, and we stayed three days. Anglo Welsh has its narrow boat hire fleet here, where there is a water point and rubbish disposal. A delightful farm shop is alongside the junction. It's fun just to wander around and marvel at the variety of goods on offer there. Great Haywood is also a great place for walks.

Cannock Chase, and Shugborough Hall and Museum both offer interesting and easily accessible areas for walking. On the way to either, you are likely to come across Essex Bridge, probably the finest example of a packhorse bridge in the country. It's just near lock 73. Cross the canal bridge at lock 73 and you are in Great Haywood. There is Spa, Post Office, laundromat and two excellent pubs, the Clifford Arms, and the Fox and Hounds. The Clifford Arms, a pub we have visited a few times, has a nice outside eating area,. Also a friendly welcome. Heading out of Great Heywood is a surprise, as Tixall Wide is more like a lake, than a canal. Depending on who you listen to, this was built to improve the view from Tixall Hall, or it is a natural lake there before the canal was built. Whatever the real story is, it's a unique bit of canal, with an array of waterfowl and birdlife ever present.

The gate house to Tixall Hall is still visible. Cruising through the Penk Valley, the towns of Baswich and Wildwood slip by, their front gardens sliding right to the canal. There are only 5 locks from Great Heywood and Penkridge. We like Penkridge, it's an ideal town to explore on foot. There is a handy fruit and veg there, some great pubs, a Co Op, a couple of banks, and fab market held by the river on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Good mooring spots by bridge 83a, accompanied by some attractive canal side homes. Try the Star, in Market Square. It's a very attractive pub with a traditional feel inside, serving excellent Bass beers. The Library has internet access. There is a handy shop up by bridge 86 as well, for last minute supplies. It is a contrasting cruise through Otrherton and Rodbaston locks, with the busy m6 thundering beside you on one side, and a peaceful rural outlook on the other. The canal leaves the highway, and once through Boggs, Brick Kiln, and Gaily locks, one is ready for a pause at Gaily Wharf. The Roundhouse Canal Shop is located here, right by Bridge 79 that carries the A5, (Watling Street) over the canal. A unique gift shop housed in the original round toll clerk's office, it is a well stocked with an array of gifts, canal ware and souvenirs. Plenty of moorings right down to bridge 78. Viking Afloat has one of their narrow boat hire fleets here as well.

It is now a winding, lock free cruise past Hatherton Junction, where Hatherton Marina is located. Here, a bit of industry creeps in with a few gravel pits and chemical works briefly appearing. But this is only temporary, as soon the welcoming Fox and Anchor appears, tempting a stop for the evening. The much improved Fox and Anchor has a large outdoor area overlooking the canal. We sampled a fine John Smiths, and Tetley's there a couple of times. We thought of strolling in to Coven village, but the busy A 449 soon changed our mind. Autherly Junction is where we left the Staffs, to head up the Shroppie. The Staffs continues through the West Midlands avoiding Wolverhampton, while visiting Cookley, Kidderminster and concluding at Stourport on Severn. The Shropshire Union Canal, ("the Shroppie"), is one of the most popular British Canals. It features high embankments, deep damp cuttings, pleasant villages and towns, and spectacular scenery. It is rightfully one of the most popular British Canals From the Staff and Worcester, it's a right hand turn under a fine roving bridge, and through a six inch stop lock, and you are on one of the finest canals in the country.

Although close to Wolverhampton, Autherley Junction is a pleasant spot, with a well stocked canal shop at the Water Travel base, and water point and sani station a bit further along. But the housing estates and sewerage plant here have always put us off mooring for the night. Wide and straight, the Shropshire Union Canal cuts across the rolling Staffordshire hills. The old Defiant night fighter factory is by bridge 4, just past the Wolverhampton Boat Club. The canal is forever changing as you experience the views from high embankments, then plunge into a deep cutting, damp with thick ferns and vegetation. The first village we come to is Brewood or "Brood" as the locals call it. Here is a delightful village with plenty of old fashioned shops and pleasant locals. Take your time to walk around the streets and get to know Brewood.

There is also a super Spa, post office, a great hairdresser, chemist and newsagent.

The highly recommended Admiral Rodney, well worth the stroll through the town to Dean Street. Friendly staff, lots of pictures of H.M.S. Rodney, and a fine pint of Abbotts Ale. A great pub! Just past Lapley Wood cutting is Wheaton Aston. Here, by bridge 19, is Taylor's garage, where there is a water point and sani station with fuel also available. More importantly the Hartley Arms is also by Bridge 19, offering food a fine pint of Banks Original, and warm, open fire. From Wheaton Aston to Gnosall is a pleasant lock free couple of hours, where you can relax and really enjoy some of the nicest scenery on the Shropshire Union Canal. You will find a very friendly butcher in the group of shops on the right over bridge 34, as you head into town. Also in the town is a Bowells of Gnosall (with their own radio station playing), a fish and chip shop, and a bakery. The two pubs on the canal are the Navigation, by bridge 35, and the Boat, at bridge 34. To be fair, we tied both, and suggest you do the same. Both are excellent

Just through the Shelmore Embankment is Norbury Junction. This is where the old Newport branch headed off, hence the "Junction" in the name. Now, Anglo Welsh hire narrow boats have gone, replaced by the very enthusiastic Norbury Wharf Cruisers. There is a pump out and water point here also. The Junction Inn is opposite, by bridge 38. The in-appropriately named Grubb Street Cutting is a deep cutting with lush thick vegetation and lots of bird life The double arched bridge taking the A519 high above carries the much photographed telegraph Post, still standing as it has done for a hundred or so years. Try and moor where the very famous Anchor in is located. An original boater's pub, the Anchor is still pretty much as it was when it quenched the working boaters thirst, still serving ale from the cask.

It is also a pleasant walk into High Offley, but we never did find the pub there.

Further on, the Wharf Tavern, by bridge 55 offers a pleasant canal side beer garden. There is no longer a shop or post office in Cheswardine. That's progress! Two more cuttings, Woodseaves and Tyrley Cutting lead to Market Drayton Woodseaves is again deep, with the vegetation meeting overhead forming a canopy. There is a 2mph speed limit through this area, to help avoid rock slide, so take it easy! Bridges 57 and 58 tower above in another world. Tyrley Locks are well maintained and in very pleasant surroundings. There are 5 of them, and warm you up for the job ahead. A pleasant surprise at the top of Tyrley, was the Four Alls. Just ten minutes walk from the locks; this welcoming inn was a welcome resting place after the day's locks. The Adeley and Audlem flight keep one moving as you enter Cheshire. There are 5 locks at Tyrley and 15, yes 15, at Audlem.

All are in good condition and easy to use. We usually do the Audlem locks in 2 days, mooring between locks 2 and 3, then down the flight to between locks 11 and 12 the next day. This allows us to catch our breath, and spend more time enjoying Audile. A great little town, Audlem has all you want in a Cheshire village. Winding streets, beautiful church, shops and pubs.

The Shroppie Fly, between locks 12 and 13 has the well known narrow boat bow as a bar. The Lord Combermere, in the village, has recently received a facelift, and serves great food. Mooring can be in demand here. Best spot is below bridge 78. We often moor below lock 15 when coming up to Audlem, and tackle the locks the next day. There is scenic Views right across the valley, where wildlife congregates in the wetlands. The Shropshire Union strikes out straight and true across the Cheshire plain towards Nantwich, with only the Hack green locks causing an interruption. The stone bridges frame each other in the distance, rolling green hills and grazing dairy cattle keeping you company. Nantwich is just about the perfect Cheshire town. Packed with Medieval buildings, most dating from the fire of 1583. It is worth taking your time to get to know Nantwich. Head to the tourist information office, grab a map, and just wander the streets.

Market day is Thursday and Saturday. If you happen to be around there in April, there is a great music festival. Most of the hotels have free live music over this second April weekend. The nearest pub to the canal is the Oddfellows Arms, a very welcoming pub with low beams and clean bars. The new landlord even does a floorshow here on Saturday evenings. One of our very favorite Shropshire Union Canal pubs. Also worth trying here are the Vine, and the Crown, in the centre of the town, which as well as serving fine wine and ales, does a mean cappuccino as well! Plenty of shops here as well. Woolies have gone, but a good butcher, newsagent and lots of eateries, especially along Pepper Street. It can get very busy here, but normally there are good moorings either side of the aqueduct. If you get a chance, walk up to the little town of Acton. (from bridge 93, or head up under the aqueduct, away from Nantwich) A quaint little village, with The Star, a 13th Century pub with mounting steps out the front.

It looks like it has recently re-opened after a facelift. From Nantwich the Shropshire Union head past the Hurleston Junction on the left, and ignoring the temptation to head up the Llangollen, we keep on the Four Counties Ring. We usually pause at Barbridge Junction, where the Barbridge Inn always tempts us. We have never been game enough to cross the A 51 to the Jolly Tar, but have read and heard good reviews of it. Moorings can be in short supply here at Barbridge, and it pays to arrive early, especially in the peak season. There was once a transshipment shed at Barbridge spanning the canal. You will see where it stood, where the canal narrows just before the right turn into the Middlewich section of the Shropshire Union, the last part of the Four Counties Ring. Once under the arch bridge that greets you on to the Middlewich section, the canal gently winds its way across mainly rural country, passing Venetian marine on the way. High above the meandering River Weaver, the village of Church Minsull can be reached from bridge 14. There are good moorings here as well. There is only 10 miles of the Middlewich section, and once through the Wardle lock, the Ring has been completed. A great canal boat holiday, a great challenge, and great fun! Yes, we'll be back!

For more information on Canal Boat Holidays on the Four Counties Ring, and other Canals, visit http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com/FourCountiesRing.html

Cruising the Lovely Llangoleln Canal

By Cliff K Bayliss

The lovely Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular waterways in the country, and rightly so.

It has everything one could want in a great canal Holiday, tunnels, locks, beautiful stone bridges, lift bridges, lots of character pubs, and of course, two of the wonders of the waterways, the Chirk and Pontcysylite Aqueducts.

Joining the Llangollen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the Hurleston locks offer the canal traveler a taste of things to come, with views back over the Cheshire countryside.

After sneaking a visit to the tempting Snugburys ice Cream, just down the A51, it's a delightful cruise through Swanley locks, to the village of Wrenbury. The highlights of Wrenbury are the Dusty Miller and Cotton Arms pubs and the fun electric bridge across the canal.

Wending its way gently towards the Welsh hills, the cattle studded landscape slides gently past.

The often frenetic scene at Grindley Brook, where one tackles the staircase locks, is usually eased by the very helpful B.W. lock keeper.

A fine pint of Banks is available from the Horse and Jockey pub, just down from the good moorings above the locks.

It's a lock free cruise across the beautiful Shropshire countryside giving one the chance to sit back and absorb the passing scenery. The one and only pub on this section, the Waggoner's, at Platt Lane closed after a fire.

Prees Junction heads off to the left, guarded by a fine three story canal house. A couple of lift bridges are to be negotiated before arriving at Whixall mariner, which looked bit overgrown when we last cruised through there.

The Welsh hills drawing ever closer as we wind our way past Hampton Bank, and Fern Wood, which provides fine mooring spots.

As one approaches Ellesmere, the series of delightful Meres appear. It is well worth pausing here and exploring at least one of these Meres, for these are Shropshires Lakeland.

Cole Mere has a walking path right around it, and there are good moorings just after bridge 55.

Ellesmere is a delightful market town. Be sure and visit Vermeulens deli, in Cross Street. There is also a butcher, several banks, and a couple of general stores. The Black Lion pub is well worth a visit, as is the old White Heart. There are good moorings in the basin, and plenty more out on the canal.

Onwards now to Frankton Locks leading down to the Montgomery canal. The Narrowboat Inn, a purpose built pub, has the friendliest landlord you could wish to mee.

Speaking of friendly landlords, try Jack Myttons by bridge 10. A great little spot with a great atmosphere.

We now climb into the mountains, slide through New Marton Locks, and approach the two highlights of the canal.

First there is Chirk, with is viaduct right beside it, then Poncysylite, over the river Dee towering 127feet in the air, 1,000 feet long, and supported by 18 stone pillars.

And finally, into Llangollen itself. A superb town packed with a variety of shops, information centre, the stunning Corn Mill Pub, and the river Dee running past.

A walk up to Horse shoe falls ends the journey where the canal begins.

For more information on the Llangollen Canal, and Canal Boat Holidays, go to:

http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com/llangollen-canal.html

See the Best of the Norfolk Broads on a Canal Boat Holiday

By Dipika Patel


If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a while, you could find canal boat hire in Norfolk affords you the chance to experience tranquillity.

When searching for the perfect location to make your UK boat hire purchase, you might like to consider the unspoilt surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, which is Britain's largest nationally-protected wetland.

The tranquil area boasts many waterways and rivers on which to while away the hours while enjoying the slow pace of life and feeling closer to nature. You can travel through small market towns and boat-building villages, or explore Cambridge down the River Cam, which is popular among punters.

Moor your boat below Jesus Lock on either side of the river or on the western bank near Clayhithe and explore the university city on dry land for a while. Just remember you'll need a navigation licence from the Environment Agency or the Conservators of the River Cam to travel down the river.

If you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to see the sights of Cambridge from the river and journey on along the many waterways, taking in the local wildlife and scenery as you do so.

On a Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday, expect the pace to become slower as you meander down through the area, stopping occasionally at bird-watching stations and gazing in awe at the picturesque setting.

Try setting off from Horning in Wroxhom to benefit from more than 120 miles of lock-free cruising over flat land. The waterways were formed when the sea level rose 700 years ago, causing peat pits from medieval times to fill with water. You might like to stop off at the village of Woodbastwick on the edge of Cockshoot Broad to give your legs a bit of exercise and while you're there, why not sample some local ale at the Norfolk Brewery?

Climb more than 90 steps to the top of the ancient church tower at Ranworth for a cultural experience and fantastic views of the broads and then take in the sights of the local nature reserve, which might be particularly appealing to youngsters as shipwrecks are visible from the windows of the floating visitor centre.

After returning to your canal boat, you might want to visit Hickling Broad next, especially if you have a penchant for sailing. The area is a popular sailing boat location and is also home to a large nature reserve, which houses wintering wildfoul, rare insects, swallowtail butterflies and bearded tits. Meanwhile, if you're feeling up for a challenge, why not try out an exciting watersport such as windsurfing in the area?

Nearby is Barton Broad, which is famous for being the place where Admiral Lord Nelson learned to sail. The seaman fought with the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars before losing his life in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Follow in his historical footsteps and give sailing a go or take part in the annual sailing regatta held every August if you want to try out new experiences during your boat hire trip on the Norfolk Broads.

Next, why not journey down the River Ant's narrow and winding course for eight miles? At the end, you'll reach How Hill, home to How Hill House, which was built in 1904 by architect Edward Thomas Boardman. Explore the building and its beautiful Edwardian gardens, or go for a stroll in the separate woodland area. There's plenty of ground to cover across the 365 acres if you're looking to stretch your legs.

Continue on to Ludham and visit the How Hill Nature Reserve and Toad Hole Cottage, which was once home to a marshman and his family and is now a museum, run by the Broads Authority. Again, there are plenty of walking opportunities in the local marshes and woodland areas.

After a good night's sleep, you can pilot your canal boat down the River Thurne for six miles to reach the village of Thurne. Drink in the countryside scenery on a stroll down Weaver's Way or pay a visit to the round tower church at Repps. And don't forget to call in at the well-preserved drainage mill Thurne Dyke Windpump, which is open to the public, before leaving the area.

What better way to relax and unwind than on a canal boat holiday in Norfolk? Not only are the broads breathtakingly beautiful, offering a wealth of opportunity to explore nature; they are also steeped in history and you'll find plenty of examples of architecture through the ages as well as chances to witness and join in rural living at its best.

A Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday could be a great way of seeing the county and get close to nature. And with Boat hire on the Norfolk Broads widely available you're sure to find something to cater for your needs. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of canal boat hire and a range of UK boat hire options available in the Norfolk Broads.