This is a recommended canal boat holidays route.
A fascinating voyage of discovery and well worth the extra bit of effort!
The journey takes you along the wonderfully rural Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Great Haywood Junction where, passing under a distinctive roving bridge, you join the Trent and Mersey Canal heading north towards the Potteries and Peak District.
The rolling Staffordshire countryside leads you to Stoke-on-Trent, the Wedgewood Visitors Centre and the impressive 2926-yard long Harecastle Tunnel.
Beyond Harecastle the 13 miles to the salt town of Middlewich sees the canal descend 31 locks to the Cheshire Plains.
The short Middlewich arm links the Trent and Mersey Canal to the Shropshire Union Canal again through more glorious countryside.
The scenery on the climb up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ to the summit at Kidsgrove is fantastic. As well as sights of the potteries such as the Bottle Kilns at Etruria, the Wedgwood Pottery Centre at Barlaston is not to be missed.
Book From : Anderton Marina
10/11 day canal boat hire.
6.5 Hours per day cruising time.
102 Locks.
Book From : Blackwater Marina
14 day canal boat hire.
7 Hours per day cruising time.
132 Locks.
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker | Website Telephone : 01270 629219 |
Anderton Boat Lift | Website Telephone : 01606 786777 |
Water World | Website Telephone : 01782 205747 |
Alton Towers Theme Park | Website Telephone : 0871 222 3330 |
Chillington Hall | Website Telephone : 01902 850236 |
Shugborough Hall | Website Telephone : 0845 459 8900 |
Wedgwood Visitor Centre | Website Telephone : 01782 282986 |
Gailey Pottery | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Belvide Reservoir | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Gnosall Parish News and Traders | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Marbury Country Park | Website Telephone : 01606 77741 |
Middlewich FAB Annual Festival | Website Telephone : Contact: [email protected] |
Harecastle Tunnel | Website Telephone : Contact: [email protected] |
Potteries Shopping Centre | Website Telephone : 01782 289822 |
Trentham Gardens | Website Telephone : 01782 646646 |
Etruria Canal Festival | Website Telephone : 01782 646646 |
The Ancient High House | Website Telephone : 01785 619131 |
Stafford Castle | Website Telephone : 01785 257698 |
Nantwich Museum | Website Telephone : 01270 627104 |
Weaver Hall Museum | Website Telephone : 01606 271640 |
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker | Website Telephone : 01270 629219 |
Attingham Park | Website Telephone : 01743 708123 |
Water World | Website Telephone : 01782 205747 |
Alton Towers Theme Park | Website Telephone : 0871 222 3330 |
Chillington Hall | Website Telephone : 01902 850236 |
Shugborough Hall | Website Telephone : 0845 459 8900 |
Wedgwood Visitor Centre | Website Telephone : 01782 282986 |
Gailey Pottery | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Belvide Reservoir | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Gnosall Parish News and Traders | Website Telephone : 01902 790078 |
Middlewich FAB Annual Festival | Website Telephone : Contact: [email protected] |
Powis Castle | Website Telephone : 01938 551944 |
Harecastle Tunnel | Website Telephone : 01938 551944 |
Potteries Shopping Centre | Website Telephone : 01782 289822 |
Trentham Gardens | Website Telephone : 01782 646646 |
Etruria Canal Festival | Website Telephone : 01782 646646 |
The Ancient High House | Website Telephone : 01785 619131 |
Stafford Castle | Website Telephone : 01785 257698 |
Nantwich Museum | Website Telephone : 01270 627104 |