Chirk Base, Four Counties Ring canal boat holiday
187 Miles, 136 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 7 hours per day (ROUTE D)
This challenging two-week canal boat holiday along the Four Counties route from our Chirk Base is most suited for a more experienced crew. Your cruise features a host of locks at a quick pace, covering nearly two hundred miles in the process.
You begin your journey at Chirk’s delightful marina, which can be found on the site of the Chirk golf and country club. At this lovely location, you can see the Llangollen canal moving with great grace through the countryside. Here lies a World Heritage Site, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – a feat of engineering which spans right across the Dee Valley.
You can cruise the sleepy waterway of the Montgomery Canal, which has only recently been reopened to the public after over fifty years of dormancy.
Travel down the Llangollen Canal to Hurleston, an area perfect for fishing for carp, especially in the winter. Here you join the Shropshire Union Canal, before travelling southwards through small towns and villages to join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
This canal meanders through pretty countryside up to Great Haywood.
Here you join the Trent & Mersey Canal and travel towards the more built-up area of The Peak District.
Continuing up to Middlewich through a series of locks, you take the Middlewich Arm. There is plenty to do around this area. On the Middlewich Arm you will find a pub and bistro with a canal boat theme, and the opportunity to take in some magnificent rural views.
Middlewich itself is a market town founded by the Romans, which was once renowned for its salt production. It now boasts an annual boat festival, Roman and Norman festivals and regular farmer’s markets.
After passing the Middlewich Arm, you will reach Barbridge. Barbridge is a peaceful hamlet, but nevertheless contains two Grade II listed buildings: its 17th century post office, and the 18th century Stoke Cottage. If you have time you could also relax in The Olde Barbridge Inn.
After spending some time in Barbridge, you can return home via the Llangollen Canal. If you get the opportunity, you should visit the Castel Dinas Bran, a medieval castle that overlooks the small town of Llangollen.
Book our Chirk Base Four Counties Ring canal boat holiday by using our online Availability Search, or by calling Black Prince on 01527 575 115.
