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Team2014-02-27 17:38:332022-08-01 10:08:11Cheshire Ring canal boat holidayCLOSE
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BEGIN YOUR CANAL HOLIDAY ADVENTURE AT STOKE-ON-TRENT
*21 July, 2022: Please note that we have temporarily taken Stoke on Trent off sale due to lock restrictions that the Canal & River Trust have put in place close to our hire base at the Festival Park Marina. We are contacting guests due to cruise from this base and will continue to monitor the situation, providing further updates when we have more information.
Situated on the re-developed National Garden Festival Site, the Stoke-on-Trent canal is one of the most popular Black Prince canal boat hire starting points. Close by there is an exciting Water World, dry ski-slope, multi-screen cinema, ten pin bowling and shopping centre… and that is before you get on the water!
The variety of canal cruising routes is wide, with the Cheshire Ring and Four Counties being favourite UK canals for narrow boating. You travel through some of the waterways’ most beautiful scenery, along with the pure contrast of the Potteries, Royal Doulton, Cheddleton Mill and Wedgwood industries. For the more energetic there’s Alton Towers near the end of the Caldon Canal
New Procedure – Harecastle Tunnel: For boat hire guests departing from our Stoke on Trent or Acton Bridge and wanting to cruise the Four Counties Ring, it is necessary to book slots for passage through the Harecastle tunnel. Slots are available for seven days a week, from 8 am until 5 pm. We will send you details on how to reserve your slot prior to your holiday.
Stoke-on-Trent NARROWBOAT HIRE BASE
Festival Park Marina, Etruria,
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PA
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Team2014-02-27 17:38:332022-08-01 10:08:11Cheshire Ring canal boat holiday
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Team2014-02-27 17:36:242022-05-26 11:38:47Four Counties Ring Canal Boat Holiday
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Team2014-02-27 17:34:252022-05-26 10:23:58Caldon & Leek Canal Boat Holiday
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Team2014-02-27 17:32:142022-06-10 10:20:12Whaley Bridge and return canal boat holiday
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blackprince212014-02-26 10:50:222022-07-21 10:51:53Fradley Junction and return
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blackprince212014-02-25 10:50:182022-07-21 11:34:01Caldon Canal Short Break
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Team2014-01-13 10:57:302022-06-17 09:26:29Great Haywood and return Short Break RouteROUTE RESTRICTION NOTICE 2022
The Macclesfield Canal, the Peak Forest Canal and a section of the Caldon Canal between Hazelhurst and Frogall are currently closed due to water shortages. It is anticipated that these canals will remain closed for several weeks, the Canal & River Trust cannot confirm re-open dates yet.
There are also temporary operating hours to the Trent & Mersey Canal between Locks 36 – 40 (Stoke) from Monday 25 July: Monday to Sunday 8.00am – 12.00pm.
Passage through Harecastle Tunnel will only be available between 8.00am and 12.00pm daily.
In summary this news means that:
- Route A is unavailable
- You will need to book 10 nights or more to cruise the Four Counties Ring (Route B)
- Route C is unnavailable
- Route D is unavailable
- The short break route to Great Haywood is unavailable
The following routes are open to cruise:
- The Caldon Canal to Leek (Short break route)
- The Four Counties Ring (Route B, 10-night or 2-week holiday).
- Part of the Four Counties Ring and return (any duration)
- Head south on the Trent and Mersey towards Rugeley or Fradley Junction and return (7-night holiday)
- Llangollen canal or the Shropshire Union towards Chester. (10-night or 2-week holiday)
NARROWBOATS AVAILABLE TO HIRE FROM STOKE-ON-TRENT
Below are the boat types that are available for barge hire Stoke-on-Trent from this base. When you start your holiday search all the boat options and dates that closely match your desired departure date and party number will be presented to you.
SEE BOAT AVAILABILITY
Sat 2.30pm – Tues 9.30am | Tues 2.30pm – Sat 9.30am
Princess 4 | Duchess 2 | Shakespeare 4 | Duchess 4 | Lautrec 4 | Princess 6 | Duchess 6 | Duchess 8
Fri 2.30pm – Mon 9.30am | Mon 2.30pm – Fri 9.30am
BASE INFORMATION
HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES
Premier Inn (3 star hotel), Etruria Road, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5NH, Tel: 0333 321 9337
Hilton Garden Inn Stoke on Trent, (4-star hotel0, Potteries Way, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4QA, Tel: 01782 486960
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
National Rail Enquiries:
www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545
Nearest Airport: Manchester International Tel. 0161 489 3000
www.manchesterairport.co.uk
Nearest Railway Station:Stoke on Trent
Taxi/Minicabs:
- Intercity CabsTel: 01782 855855 / www.intercitycabs.co.uk
Approximate prices: (Prices courtesy of Intercity Cabs – subject to change)
Manchester International Airport to Stoke on Trent: £53 one way or £197 return
Heathrow Airport to Stoke on Trent: £185 one way or £374 return.
Taxi prices correct of October 2021, please note they may vary.
GROCERIES
There is a large Morrison’s supermarket and a number of other shops at Festival Park, nearby to the base.
FLYING INTO LONDON
From Heathrow airport, get the London underground tube to Euston station.
From Gatwick airport, get the Gatwick Express to London Victoria station, then get a London underground tube to London Euston.
From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Euston.
From London Euston station there is a train to Stoke on Trent.
Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.
FLYING INTO MANCHESTER
Get a train to Manchester Piccadilly or Wilmslow station, and then change for Stoke on Trent.
HOW TO FIND US BY CAR
M6: Exit at Junction 15 (from South) or Junction 16 (from North) and follow the A500 until you reach the A53. Turn towards Hanley and the city centre. Passing over the canal, you will see the marina on your left hand side – stay in the left hand lane (do not cross the flyover). At the roundabout, turn left. At the mini – roundabout turn left, and the marina entrance is on your left.
Stoke-on-Trent Reviews:
Racist gentlemen - Just touched the boat and he went mad and start shouting at me and my friend saying not to touch it again but other people were touching it but we weren't allowed as were are asian apparently (he made horrible statements)... Just when you try to think racism doesn't exist anymore, you get someone being racist.
We booked a trip with Black Prince holidays for our family. We did 4 nights along the Caldon Canal on one of the narrow boats. It was a lovely time and we found it very tranquil. The kids enjoyed helping with the locks and just letting the world go by. It was great to be able to stop almost anywhere and moor up. The boat was neat and well appointed and had everything we needed for the trip. We can definitely recommend this as a holiday option and Black Prince did everything to make our trip easy and enjoyable.
4 day trip for 6 people from Acton Bridge to Dunham Massey and return. From the initial booking to our return the experience was great. The boat was clean, modern and well equipped. All 6 of us slept like logs. The kitchen was modern and easy to use, the bathroom was a decent size and not too cramped, and the lounge comfortable and easily converted to a bedroom. The staff were friendly and helpful during the initial talk, suggesting routes and places to stop off. I couldnt recommend this trip enough.
Excellent! From induction great run through with all questions answered. As beginner's our conductor took us to a 2nd lock and despite our nerves he was patient. The boat itself was very clean. Definitely recommend whether short stay or longer. See you again and Thankyou!
Lovely and friendly staff, nice boat and a relaxing holiday.Thank you for your help in everything. ( Erin).
Had a great few days on Gillian a black prince narroiwboat. Would certainly recommend them
First time on a narrow boat they were very helpful and the boats are fantastic absolutely loved it. Can't wait to go on one again and would definitely pick Black Prince Holidays
Very friendly and helpful. Came and rescued us when we lost the boat keys
Good base at Festival park Marina and ideally located on the canal past CRT's Etruria services and the Caldon canal branch!The management and staff are friendly and welcoming...We met and became friends with such amazing lovely boaters during our staycation here...Thank you so much Rachel and Gavin for your support and help during our lockdown visitors moorings staycation...You are both Shinning Stars and look after yourselves, stay safe and well along with all of yours too. Hopefully we'll pop in to say hello to you all at some point in the future or when nearby on the cut.Joe and Jackie nb. Rambling Rose
Just returned from a weeks holiday . We had 2 boats..Megan and Isla. We have to say the staff were spot on . Nothing was too much trouble. They gave us advice on good mooring spots .... places to visit .. and also the important loch turorial.The boats were immaculate throughout and the beds surprisingly comfy .We were impressed from start to finish and will definitely be hiring from Black Prince again 😎👍
NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE? HAVE A QUESTION?
Call today on ++44 (0)1527 575 115 and a Black Prince team member will be happy to help!