he canals of the north west of England offer a mix of rural and urban boating, including the chance to visit Chester and Manchester by boat, and cruise through the southern end of the Pennines and the Cheshire plain.
Drifters offers over 550 canal boats for hire at 45 locations across England, Scotland and Wales, including four places in the north west. To celebrate, Drifters has published a guide to the top 5 holidays in the north west of England:
1. Cruise to the ancient City of Chester
On a short break from Drifters’ boat hire base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal near Tarporley in Cheshire, boaters can cruise to the ancient City of Chester and back. The journey there and back travels 24 miles, passes through 18 locks (nine each way) and takes around 14 hours. The route travels through the Cheshire countryside, passing Beeston Castle and the village of Christleton along the way. Once in Chester, boaters can moor up to explore this ancient city, including Britain’s most complete Roman and medieval walls and the famous ‘Chester Rows’ shops.
***The 65ft luxury ‘Carina’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a weekend break from Bunbury 19-22 July 2024 for £1,585. Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and first pet. There’s a compulsory non-refundable £50 damage waiver and diesel is extra – a £70 deposit is taken for short breaks (three or four nights), £110 for a week. Charge based on use, circa £15 per day.
2. Cruise to Castle Quay in Manchester
On a week’s break from Drifters’ narrowboat boat hire base at Acton Bridge near Northwich in Cheshire boaters can cruise to Manchester and back, enjoying time in the countryside as well as the city. The return route travels 54 miles, two locks (one each way) and takes around 18 hours. The route travels along a section of the Trent & Mersey Canal and through the Preston Brook Tunnel. Then joins the lock-free Bridgewater Canal, cruising through the Cheshire countryside and the historic village of Lymm. Then it’s on through Stockton Heath and Sale, with the route becoming more suburban. Next the canal passes the Manchester United football ground, Salford Quays and the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. In Manchester, boaters can moor up at Castlefield Basin, within easy reach of City Centre attractions.
***The 58ft ‘Duchess 4’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a week’s break from Acton Bridge 9-16 August 2024 for £1,776, saving £423. Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, damage waiver, buoyancy aids, bed linen and towels. Fuel is charged on return, circa £10-15 per day.
3. Navigate to King’s Lock in Middlewich
On a short break from Anderton near Northwich in Cheshire narrowboat holiday-makers can cruise to the ancient town of Middlewich. The journey there and back travels 19 miles, passes through eight locks (four each way) and takes around nine-and-a-half hours. The journey begins heading south along the Trent & Mersey Canal, passing through Marston, home to the Lion Salt Works and Salt Barge pub. The canal next passes the Lamb’s Wharf canalside pub at Bridge 189 in Northwich and the Old Broken Cross pub at Bridge 184 in Rudheath. There’s choice of places to eat, drink and shop in Middlewich, including the popular canalside King’s Lock Inn.
***The 47ft ‘Reed Bunting’ narrowboat for up to five people is currently available for a weekend break from Anderton 23-26 August 2024 for £980, saving £419. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition. A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.
4. Boat through the Cheshire and Staffordshire countryside to Brewood
On a week’s break from Nantwich on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise to the ancient village of Brewood and back. The journey travels 70 miles, passes through 56 locks (28 each way) and takes around 36 hours. Cruising south down the Shropshire Union Canal, the route soon passes close by the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum. Next boaters travel through the Audlem Flight of 15 locks and past the popular Shroppie Fly canalside pub. Then it’s on through the Cheshire countryside to the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man. The canal then goes through the atmospheric Woodeaves Cutting and then passes the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Common, the Junction Inn at Norbury and The Boat and Navigation pubs at Gnosall Heath. The Hartley Arms and Mottey Meadows Nature Reserve can be found at Wheaton Ashton. At Brewood there’s a choice of pubs, including the Swan Hotel and the Coven Heath Nature Reserve to explore.
***The 66ft ‘Rock Partridge’ narrowboat for up to six people is currently available for a week’s break from Nantwich 28 September to 5 October 2024 for £1,360, saving £239. Price includes a non-refundable damage waiver, bed linen, towels, car parking, two pets, buoyancy aids and tuition. A fuel deposit of £60 for a short break is payable with the balance of hire. Fuel costs are approx. £15 per day.
5. Complete the Cheshire Ring
On a 10-day or two-week holiday from Bunbury, boaters can complete the epic Cheshire Ring circuit. The journey travels 122 miles, passes through 104 locks and takes around 65 hours. It travels sections of the Shropshire Union, Trent & Mersey, Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Ashton and Bridgewater canals. Highlights include: dramatic views of the Cheshire Plains; cruising through central Manchester; Red Bull Aqueduct on the Macclesfield Canal; the 16 locks and Aqueduct at Marple; views of the Peak District from the Peak Forest Canal; passing Old Trafford on the Ashton Canal; views of the Pennines on the Bridgewater Canal; and the Anderton Boat Lift.
***The 65ft luxury ‘Carina’ narrowboat for up to four people is currently available for a two-week break from Bunbury 16-30 August 2024 for £3,100. Price includes boat hire, gas, car parking, tuition on arrival, buoyancy aids, bed linen towels and first pet. There’s a compulsory non-refundable £50 damage waiver and diesel is extra – a £70 deposit is taken for short breaks (three or four nights), £110 for a week. Charge based on use, circa £15 per day.
