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1. BIRMINGHAM – STRATFORD UPON AVON
– Luddington (River Avon) Weekend Break
Traveling the full length of the Stratford Canal, which maintains an
individual charm and personality. A town dedicated to William Shakespeare
linked to a modern bustling city.
Dep: 2 April, 14 May and 9 July -
Prices»
2. STRATFORD UPON AVON – WARWICK.
Mid Week Break.
Combining the delights of Shakespeare’s birthplace and the heritage of an
historic town by traversing the two different styles of canal.
Dep: 6 April, 18 May, 15 June, 13 July, 10 August, and 28 September -
Prices»
3. WARWICK – BANBURY Weekend Break
The trunk route of Britain's canal network, the picturesque Grand Union is
the longest single canal in Britain. The Grand Union Canal was once one of
the busiest in the country as the main line from London to the Midlands.
This section passes through the innovative modifications completed in the
1930’s before turning onto the picturesque Oxford Canal which meanders
slowly through classic scenery.
Dep: 9 April, 21 May, 16 July and 1 October -
Prices»
4. BANBURY – COVENTRY (Hawkesbury Junc). Mid Week Break
A journey up the picturesque Oxford Canal meandering slowly through classic
scenery and over the section adopted by the Grand Union Canal improvements
from Napton to Braunston in the early 1930’s. Journeys end is at an historic
junction known to working boatman as Sutton Stop.
Dep: 13 April, 25 May, 20 July and 5 October. -
Prices»
5. COVENTRY (Hawkesbury) –
SNARESTONE Weekend Break
A study of Coventry and the complete length of the Ashby Canal. Coventry
Cathedral a stunning modern building standing next to the shell of the
original cathedral, bombed in World War II. This is just a short walk from
the attractive terminus basin, which is visited on the first day. Once
bustling with narrowboats carrying coal, this surprising rural cruise then
passes quietly by spoil heaps that are today swathed in greenery on the way
up to the current end of the Ashby Canal . Steeped in history, this
beautiful, tranquil canal gives the opportunity to visit the historic scene
of the Battle of Bosworth. It meanders through a very level, rural
environment - therefore no locks were ever needed. .
Dep: 28 May, 23 July and 8 October -
Prices»
6. SNARESTONE - COVENTRY (Hawkesbury Junc). Mid Week Break
A study of the complete length of the Ashby Canal from the existing terminus
and Coventry. Once bustling with narrowboats carrying coal, this a
surprisingly rural cruise. Steeped in history, this beautiful, tranquil
canal gives the opportunity to visit the historic scene of the Battle of
Bosworth. It meanders through a very level, rural environment - therefore no
locks were ever needed. Leaving the Ashby Canal the cruise passes quietly by
spoil heaps that are today swathed in greenery on the way to Coventry’s
attractive terminus basin. Coventry Cathedral is just a short walk to see
stunning modern building standing next to the shell of the original
cathedral, bombed in World War II.
Dep: 1 June, 27 July and 12 October. -
Prices»
7. COVENTRY (Hawkesbury Junc) – BIRMINGHAM Weekend Break
Travelling the back waters of the Heart of England canals from the Coventry
Canal through industrial mining heritage to a regenerated bustling city
Dep: 16 April, 4 June, 30 July AND 15 October -
Prices»
8. BIRMINGHAM – WORCESTER Mid Week Break
A unique opportunity to travel the full length of the Worcester - Birmingham
Canal. Complete with memorable views over the Malvern Hills and the
unforgettable Tardebigge flight of locks, the longest in England.
Dep: 8 June, 3 August and 21 September,
Reverse direction 11 May, 6 July and 31 August -
Prices»
9. WORCESTER –STRATFORD UPON AVON
Weekend Break.
A tranquil cruise over two rivers. The Severn to Tewkesbury and then
meandering up the Warwickshire Avon to Shakespeare Country finishing at
Stratford upon Avon.
Dep: 11 June, 6 August and 24 September. -
Prices»
10. WARWICK – STOKE BRUERNE
Weekend Break
Travel down the Grand Union through Braunston the home of English canals
from the modernised section of canal in the 1930’s to the original double
locks finishing at another famous canal village.
Dep: 18 June and 13 August -
Prices»
11. STOKE BRUERNE - MARKET
HARBOROUGH Mid Week Break
Take a leisurely cruise from another village famous for canal memories,
through history with the Grand Union (Leicester section) canal and down the
Foxton flight, arriving at a market town at the centre of the canal
resurgence of the 1950’s.
Dep: 22 June and 17 August -
Prices»
12. MARKET HARBOROUGH - SAWLEY (Shardlow).
Weekend Break.
The canal meanders its way through unspoilt rural surroundings, constantly
changing direction as it lazily motions you northwards, to the River Soar,
once the most profitable waterway in England. The Soar is also a tranquil,
meandering river navigation extending through Leicestershire to the junction
with the River Trent which leads off to Shardlow the start of the Trent &
Mersey Canal.
Dep: 25 June and 20 August
Prices»
13. SAWLEY (Shardlow) – GREAT HAYWOOD. Mid Week Break.
The Trent & Mersey Canal was the most ambitious plan to connect the
principal rivers of England. Its importance was recognised by its early name
of the 'Grand Trunk' Canal. It offers rural cruising through Derbyshire
leading to Staffordshire passing through the brewery town of Burton on Trent
and an historical junction at Fradley with a truly boaters pub.
Dep: 29 June and 24 August
Prices»
14. GREAT HAYWOOD - WORCESTER Mid Week Break.
A journey down the entire length of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire
Canal, linking the River Trent and the Severn. Opened early in 1772 it was
the vision of James Brindley to make this canal part of the “The Grand
Cross” linking his Trent & Mersey with the River Severn. The canal skirts
the Birmingham and Black Country conurbation without ever becoming truly
urban, making a delightful route through scarce West Midlands countryside.
Concluding with a short journey down a river which was once a bustling
trading artery.
Dep: 7 May, 2 July and 27 August -
Prices»
15. BIRMINGHAM – GREAT HAYWOOD
Weekend Break
A contrast in Industrial Heritage balanced with travelling in rural
surroundings over the Coventry Canal to a famous junction on the Trent &
Mersey canal. The cruise finishes close to Shugborough Hall, home of Lord
Lichfield.
Dep: 20 April -
Prices» |
2010 Exploratory (Special) Cruises
A. GREAT HAYWOOD – WHALEY BRIDGE
Weekend Break
A fascinating journey on canals through the North Midlands to the Peak
Forest starting on the Trent & Mersey Canal. The canal was promoted by
pottery producers such as Josiah Wedgwood, eager to abandon the rutted
roads of the area for this new, smooth form of transport. Consequently,
it runs through the heart of the Potteries, but also offers rural
cruising. Passing through the famous Harecastle Tunnel.then turning onto
the the Macclesfield Canal which is a late arrival on the waterway map.
It runs for 26 miles to Marple with elegant engineering and its views
are spectacular. A short passage down the Peak Forest Canal which is
without doubt one of Britain's most scenic waterways. It utilises
ruggedly impressive engineering to run for 15 miles through magnificent
scenery to an enchanting basin at Bugsworth, accompanied by strident
birdsong and the burbling of the River Goyt.
Dep: 23 April. -
Prices»
B. WHALEY BRIDGE – STOKE ON TRENT (EUTORIA)
Mid Week Break.
A journey in part retracing the steps of the previous cruise but
terminating shortly after a southward passage through Harecastle Tunnel.
Dep: 27 April -
Prices»
C. CALDON CANAL Weekend Break
A beautiful canal through Staffordshire is reported to be England's most
scenic waterway. Built as a branch of the cross-country Trent & Mersey,
this picturesque waterway from Stoke-on-Trent to the heart of
Staffordshire has assumed the status of a canal in its own right. Its
final miles run through an area known as 'Little Switzerland', with only
a preserved steam railway to disturb the peace. The Caldon runs for 18
miles from Stoke to Froghall, with a three-mile branch to Leek. On
leaving the industrial environs of the Potteries, the canal becomes
increasingly picturesque as it follows the Churnet Valley - even sharing
the river's course for a while.
Dep: 30 April -
Prices»
D. STOKE ON TRENT (ETRURIA) – GREAT
HAYWOOD Mid Week Break
A journey in part retracing the steps of Cruise A but starting from
Stoke on Trent.
Dep: 4 May. -
Prices»
E. BIRMINGHAM - NANTWICH
Weekend Break
Starting from the original wide beam terminus of the Chester canal
cruising through deserted Shropshire farmlands to one built in the
twilight of canal building utilising railway techniques in rural
Cheshire to form an arrow straight functional waterway to serve a
purpose. Experience the changing scenery from rolling farmland to an
urbanised area mixed with a wealth of industrial heritage. The
Wolverhampton 21 flight of locks iniates the changing scene.
Dep: 3 September -
Prices»
F. NANTWICH - LLANGOLLEN
Midweek Break
A complete Llangollen experience as this canal has understated rural
countryside and the majesty of the Pontcysyllte and Chirk Aqueducts -
two of Britain's greatest waterway landmarks. The journey includes the
market towns of Whitchurch and Ellesmere with brief interlude to explore
the latter.
Dep: 7 September -
Prices»
G. LLANGOLLEN – ELLESMERE
Weekend Break
A Llangollen experience with an opportunity to venture down part of the
controversially restored Montgomery Canal. A whole day is spent
exploring the restoration which is open and navigable as far as Gronwen
Wharf. Leaving the Montgomery Canal a short journey to Ellesmere
completes the cruise.
Dep: 10 September -
Prices»
H. ELLESMERE - NANTWICH
Midweek Break
The cruise follows the remainder of the Llangollen Canal which is
popular for the understated rural countryside leading to the infamous
“Shroppie canal” at Hurleston Junction. The journey finishes at the
original wide beam terminus of the Chester canal.
Dep: 14 September. -
Prices»
I. NANTWICH - BIRMINGHAM
Weekend Break.
Starting from the original wide beam terminus of the Chester canal
cruising through deserted Shropshire farmlands to one built in the
twilight of canal building. Utilising railway techniques in rural
Cheshire to form an arrow straight functional waterway to serve a
purpose. Passing through a Historic Junction at Norbury and experience
the changing scenery from rolling farmland to an urbanised area mixed
with a wealth of industrial heritage. The Wolverhampton 21 flight of
locks iniates the changing scene.
Dep: 17 September -
Prices»
R. LAPWORTH LOOP
Spring/Autumn Weekend Break.
A contrast in canals between the rural Stratford Canal and the Grand
Union with a fascinating flight of locks through a regenerated city
centre.
Dep: 26 March and 22 October. -
Prices» |
