Acton Bridge to Barbridge Short Route

Route: Acton Bridge to Barbridge and return

Locks: 16

Cruising Time: Around 20hrs return

This lovely canal holiday short break route offers a mix of gorgeous Cheshire countryside and some interesting attractions. It suits both boat novices with a manageable number of locks as well as the more experienced cruisers who are looking for somewhere new to explore.

Setting off south from the Acton Bridge base on the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll first pass the awe-inspiring Anderton Lift. Built in 1875 to haul cargo boats from the River Weaver up to the much higher Trent and Mersey Canal, the 72-foot-high Anderton Boat Lift is a remarkable feat of engineering.

Complete with visitor centre, coffee shop and a ‘trip boat’ that you can hop on to experience the lift and the River Weaver, it’s a great place to spot and picnic. Find out more about the Anderton Lift here.

From the Anderton lift continue on to Northwich, then turning onto the Middlewich arm to Barbridge Junction. Middlewich is famous for hosting the annual Folk and Boat festival, plus various Roman and Norman festivals and a host of farmer’s markets.

The route to your turning point at Barbridge features glorious Cheshire countryside dotted with these local towns, rich in tradition and history. A great short break on the waterways!