Acton
Bridge -
Canals of North
West England
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Based near Northwich, Acton Bridge
is a good starting point for a number of routes.
Traveling north, you meet the canal where it
all started - the Bridgewater canal, which takes
you lock free to Manchester. From there you can
travel to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, or continue
on the Cheshire Ring via the Peak Forest and
Macclesfield.
Apart from Manchester itself, currently being cleaned up, this is a beautiful route with constantly changing scenery. South of base you can travel the Four Counties Ring, or meander up to Chester and beyond to the Ellesmere Port boat museum. |
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Bradford on Avon -
Avon & Kennet Canals
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| Enjoy a Kennet & Avon canal boat holiday starting from the picturesque Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon, a narrow boat hire base that offers canal cruises to suit all levels of experience. Heading westward will take you over aqueducts, through bridges and locks to the World Heritage City of Bath, a gentle day’s canal cruise from the base. |
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Chirk -
North Wales & Llangollen
Canal
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Based
on the breathtaking canal in North Wales, our
lovely marina is situated on the site of
the new Chirk Golf & Country Club (where
all customers become automatic members).
The Llangollen Canal unarguable has a lot to
offer both first time and regular holidaymakers.
It meanders gracefully through the beautiful
countryside
where the world famous "stream in the sky" - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
spans the Dee Valley, such a feat of engineering is sure to snatch your
breath away! |
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Ely Base - Fenland Waterways
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| Begin your relaxing narrowboat holiday from our hire base in Ely, in the picturesque heart of the Fenland waterways, overlooked by its magnificent cathedral. Our fleet of Duchess 2 and 4 narrow boats offer holidays for parties of 2 to 5 people and a selection of routes that will see you cruising through cities, towns and villages along the beautiful waterways, making Ely the ideal hire base to begin exploring. |
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Falkirk
- Glasgow, Edinburgh
and the Falkirk Wheel
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The Falkirk Wheel is 115 feet high
- the equivalent height of eight double decker
buses. It is 115 feet wide and 100 feet long.
The wheel will lift loads of 600 tonnes (300
at each end) - the approximate weight of 81 adult
African elephants. The structure stands in a
330 feet wide circular basin with moorings for
over 20 boats.
Before redevelopment, the site was a deep open cast pit left behind by mining, which ended in the early 1980s. The total project cost was approximately £17 million and work took 22 months. The wheel is designed to last for at least the next 120 years. |
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The first wheel-based boat lift was proposed by a German engineer at
the beginning of the last century, though it was never built. The Falkirk
Wheel is the world's first rotating boat lift and the first boat lift
to be built in Britain since the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire, which
dates from 1875
Click
here for Falkirk Wheel base
information and cruising details |
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Lower Heyford - River Thames
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A fantastic starting location, Lower Hayford is perfect for taking a step back in time and exploring beautiful historic sites in the south of England.
Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ is only a 7-8 hour cruise from the base making it a perfect short break.
And further afield are the historic towns of Windsor, Marlow and Hampton Court, all situated on the River Thames. |
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Napton
- North Oxford Canal
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Ideally situated at the head of the North Oxford
Canal, Napton is an ideal base for a large number
of interesting routes. The circular route if
the Warwickshire Ring is ideal for the more energetic
and has the contrasts of beautiful countryside
around Warwick, then industry near Birmingham
and Spaghetti Junction.
Out and back trips of beauty and interest can also be achieved, including Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford, Snarestone, or a visit to the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, depending on the number of locks you wish to negotiate. |
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Peak District -
Trent & Mersey,
Caldon Canal
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Situated on the redeveloped National Garden
Festival site, home of the industrial potteries,
and host to some of the most fabulous scenery
on Britain's waterways is what makes this one
of the most popular Black Prince starting points.
There is a variety of routes available from this marina, with the Cheshire
Ring and the Four Counties Ring being the most popular.
You can exchange the contrasting landscapes of the Potteries, Royal Doulton, Cheddleton Mill and Wedgewood industries for the peace and tranquility of the Llangollen Canal. What better way to experience the hidden delights that this unique journey has to offer. |
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Stoke
Prior -
Worcester & Birmingham
Canal
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| Situated in a lovely spot, close to both the
M5 and M42, Stoke Prior is the base for those
who want a more active holiday, being at bottom
of the Tardebigge flight of locks. It is a base
of contrasts, with routes taking in the rivers
Severn and Avon, as well as a number of different
canals. Equally it covers beautiful countryside
as well as such cities as Birmingham and Worcester.
Several rings can be completed from here, with
the Stourport Ring being the most popular, as
well as a large number of other routes. |
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Black
Prince Narrowboat Hire - Base Information
