UK Canal Boating

Day 1

Leaving Middlewich Top Wharf you will immediately encounter 3 locks , and another after a few hundred yards, so get your crew ready!

Thre are no more locks today and you continue through fine open country , often overhung by trees this is a beautiful part of the Canal. It follows the valley of the River Dane. There are pleasant moorings just north of bridge 176 on the off-side. You can stop for the night at Broken Cross, where the Old Broken Cross Pub is canalside at Bridge 184.
It is 3 hours to here.

Day 2

You are now on the outskirts of Northwich , the scenery has been determined by the salt mining industry which this area is known for.

Northwich is another salt mining town, typical of this area. The town centre is close to the wharves near Town Bridge, and there are good moorings here. There is a relatively new shopping precinct in the town and a variety of pubs and restaurants.

Leaving here, you will soon see Anderton come into view, with its iconic boat lift.

There is a cafe at the lift, serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks. Its opening times are the same as the lift.

The River Weaver is a navigation that is tidal and occasionally carries commercial traffic, in small seagoing ships night & day, and the locks are quite large but are all manned by British Waterways Staff so find out about the times of opening before you start your trip.

The bridges are either very high or are big swing bridges operated by British Waterways staff.

If you arrive at the boat lift in season, you can just turn up & wait for a slot, as the glass topped trip boat goes up and down the lift all day, but you might have to wait in the high season, but it is no hardship, as it is fascinating to watch the amazing structure of the Boat lift.

The Lift connects the River Weaver with the Trent & Mersey Canal. There is a large Operations Centre housing an extensive interactive exhibition, and a shop and a cafe with a seating area offering good views out over the River. There is also a pub opposite the Boat lift- The Stanley Arms, where children are welcome & they have an outside seating and childrens play area Tel 01606-75059.

Once down the the River Weaver turn left and cruise down to Northwich which is a rather attractive town on the junction of the Rivers Weaver & Dane.
As with every town in the area, salt has been responsible for the towns prosperity and there is a salt museum in Northwich 01606 41331 which is open all year
For 200 years Northwich was prominent also for building and repairing ships and barges, because if you go northwards along the River Weaver you reach the Manchester Ship Canal.

Nowadays the wharves by Town Bridge are empty and are an excellent mooring site for visitors to the town. The town centre is very close, much of it has been completely rebuilt with an extensive shopping precinct.

There is a floating Hotel close to the Northwich marina- The Floatel, tel 01606 44443,
It is just 3 hours from last nights mooring to here.

Day 3 Day 4
It is 6 hours back to Middlewich so turn around and go the the Boat Lift moorings ready to book in for the journey back up the Lift.

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.