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BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE AT STOKE-ON-TRENT
Situated on the re-developed National Garden Festival Site, the Stoke-on-Trentcanal is one of the most popular Black Prince 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 favourites 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 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.
PLEASE NOTE: there are restrictions on certain routes during the 2022 season, please see below for details.
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Book now and save 15% on summer holidays from our Stoke on Trent hire base. Find out more here.
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Stoke-on-Trent HIRE BASE
Festival Park Marina, Etruria,
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PA
ROUTE RESTRICTION NOTICE 2022
Canal Closure
The Caldon Canal is closed due to maintenance works and is likely to remain closed until the end of June. This means that the cruising routes to Leek and Froghall will be unavailable (Route C).
Lock Restrictions
The Macclesfield Canal and the Peak Forest Canal will be affected by restricted opening times on at the Marple and Bosley Lock flights during the 2022 season.
You can read more detailed information here, but in summary this news means that it will not be possible to cruise the Cheshire Ring in one week and those planning to cruise it in two weeks will need to plan the route carefully. It also means that it will not be possible to head north from our Stoke on Trent base to Whaley Bridge on a seven-night break (Route D).
However, there remains plenty to cruise in the area, including the following options:
- The Four Counties Ring, 1-week, 8/9 hours per day (Route B)
- Part of the Four Counties Ring and return
- Head south on the Trent and Mersey towards Rugeley or Fradley Junction and return
- 10 days/ 2-week holidays can do the Four Counties ring and join the Llangollen canal or the Shropshire Union towards Chester.
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:
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!