For the rest of the 2020 season the Canal and River Trust have implemented a pre-booking procedure for the Harecastle Tunnel, which is located on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Staffordshire.
For guests departing from our Stoke on Trent base and wanting to cruise the Four Counties Ring or wanting to head north from the base, it is now necessary to book slots for passage through the Harecastle tunnel.
We recommend booking these passages as soon as possible as the July / August holiday period will become very busy.
Please note that if you are travelling the ring in a clockwise direction and cruising through the tunnel on your way back to the canal boat hire base, you will not have time to travel through on the morning of the day of your return. You will need to book to take the passage through the previous day. This could have an impact on the rest of your journey as you will have less time to complete the ring.
How to Book
Slots are available for seven days a week, from 8 am until 2 pm. You can book your slot by email by email EventsNorthStaffs@canalrivertrust.org.uk or call 03030 404040.
Alternatively you can wait until your arrival at the Stoke on Trent canal boat hire base and we can manage this for you however time slots may become limited.
About the Harecastle Tunnel
Harecastle Tunnel is a canal tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Staffordshire between Kidsgrove and Tunstall. The tunnel, which is 1.6 miles long, was once one of the longest in the country and it was used to transport coal to the kilns in the Staffordshire Potteries.
As the Telford tunnel is only wide enough for a single boat, canal traffic is managed by sending alternating northbound and southbound groups of boats through the tunnel. Ventilation is provided by large electric fans at the south portal.
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