Featured Routes - 7+ nights

The Black Country Ring

7 nights • 78 locks • Cruising time per day: 7.5 hrs • Total: 47 hrs

• Gailey is ideally placed for this ring that takes you on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, through the waterfronts of Birmingham via the new Main Line, onto the Birmingham & Fazeley and the Trent & Mersey.
• The route is a varied mix of urban and countryside and offers family activities along the way.
• Birmingham has its shopping, restaurants and art galleries, plus the Sea Life Centre and museums for the children.
• Visit the Black Country Museum and live the story of the Black Country.
• There is also Dudley Zoo and Castle, Drayton Manor Park and Shugborough Hall.

Nantwich & Return

7 nights • 58 locks • Cruising time per day: 6.5 hrs • Total: 41 hrs

• Ideal for first-timers or those looking for a relaxing break.
• Leaving Gailey, you head south down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Autherley Junction then cruise the Shropshire Union with Market Drayton, Audlem and Nantwich along the way.
• Retrace your steps back to Gailey and enjoy the new perspective that this will give.

Stourport & Return

7 nights • 58 locks • Cruising time per day: 6.5 hrs • Total: 38 hrs

• A comfortable cruise along the pretty Staffs & Worcs Canal.
• If you wanted to go past Stourport you could continue to Worcester which is a total of 72 locks and needs 8 hours cruising per day.
• Kinver Village is well worth a stop for shopping and excellent pubs. Energetic boaters will be rewarded by a climb up Kinver Edge for the extensive views.

The Stourport Ring

7 nights • 118 locks • Cruising time per day: 9.5 hrs • Total: 59 hrs

• A route of contrasts takes in the 21st century Birmingham city centre and 19th-century heritage.
• Alongside the canal network in Birmingham city centre, you will find the Symphony Hall, National Indoor Arena, the Sea Life Centre, International Convention Centre and Brindley Place.
• Birmingham city centre is within easy walking distance of the canal with its restaurants, shops, theatres, art galleries and museums.
• The Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) link the old and new main lines and take you past places such as Smethwick, West Bromwich, Tipton, Wolverhampton.
• Travel on the rural River Severn the longest river in the UK and second longest in the British Isles.

Caldon Canal & Return

7 nights • 88 locks • Cruising time per day: 7.5 hrs • Total: 47 hrs

• An alternative to the Four countries ring, but equally energetic.
• You will head up towards the Peak District and enter the Churnet Valley with its stunning countryside.
• The canal terminates at Froghall where you turn and retrace your steps.

The Four Counties Ring

7 nights • 92 locks • Cruising time per day: 9 hrs • Total: 56 hrs

• Takes you along the wonderfully rural Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood Junction.
• Passing under a distinctive roving bridge, you join the Trent & Mersey Canal heading north towards the Potteries and Peak District.
• Rolling Staffordshire countryside leads you to Stoke-on-Trent, the Wedgwood Visitor Centre and the impressive 2926-yard long Harecastle Tunnel.
• The scenery on the climb up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ to the summit at Kidsgrove is fantastic.
• Beyond Harecastle the 13 miles to the salt town of Middlewich sees the canal descend 31 locks to the Cheshire Plains.
• The short Middlewich arm links the Trent and Mersey Canal to the Shropshire Union Canal again through more glorious countryside.

Chester or Ellesmere & Return

10 nights • 80/86 locks • Cruising time per day: 6-7.5 hrs • Total: 56 hrs (Chester) / 69 hrs (Ellesmere)

• On this popular countryside route the locks are well spaced for easy cruising.
• Travel to Chester and then retrace your steps back to the marina which is a popular week for first-time boaters.
• You can also continue past Chester 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 Zoo is just a short walk from the canal.
• Visit the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.

Short Breaks - 3/4 nights

Norbury & Return

3 nights • 4 locks • Cruising time per day: 6.5 hrs • Total: 15 hrs

A leisurely route where you get to relax and unwind.

Market Drayton & Return

4 nights • 14 locks • Cruising time per day: 7.5 hrs • Total: 24 hrs

Extend your Norbury and return trip to Market Drayton.

Stone & Return

4 nights • 30 locks • Cruising time per day: 7.5 hrs • Total: 24 hrs

Travel up the Trent & Mersey to the market town of Stone.

Great Haywood & Return

3 nights • 22 locks • Cruising time per day: 6 hrs • Total: 14 hrs

Go up to the Great Haywood Junction and you might want to visit Shugborough Hall.