Canal Ring Routes on England's Canals

Circular Ring Routes Suitable for a Week’s English Canal Holiday

Oct 19, 2009

Choosing a circular route or 'ring' for an English canal holiday, rather than turning round half-way through the trip, makes for a more interesting and varied voyage.

The Cheshire Ring, Four Counties Ring, Warwickshire Ring and Worcester Ring are four of the best canal rings (circular routes) for a canal holiday on England’s canals:

Cheshire Canal Ring (99 miles)

A leisurely week’s route through some superb countryside. The ridges of the Peak District between Marple and Whaley Bridge are particularly scenic. Less attractive but interesting is the 12-mile stretch though the suburbs and inner-city areas of Manchester.

Locks: 92. The flight of 18 through Manchester is less appealing than the 16 at Marple where the canal climbs 214 feet through woodland from a spectacular aqueduct.

Tunnels: Five, including the 1239-yard Preston Brook and shorter Barnton and Saltersford ones nearby, all single traffic.

Place to visit: The massive iron framework of the Anderton Boat Lift, built in 1875 to link the canal with the River Weaver 50 feet below, is one of the wonders of the waterways. A visitor centre explains its history and workings.

Four Counties Canal Ring (111 miles)

Most of this rural route is through open countryside, mainly farmland and sleepy villages, though there is a 12-mile industrial stretch through the Potteries at Stoke-on-Trent. It is very popular so delays can occur at locks at peak times and also at the 2926-yard Harecastle Tunnel.

Locks: 93, including a relentless succession of 25, nicknamed Heartbreak Hill, spread over six miles across abandoned salt workings between Sandbach and Kidsgrove. There is also a pretty flight of 15 at Audlem.

Tunnels: Two, including the exciting straight Harecastle just north of Stoke-on-Trent. Built in 1824-7 by Thomas Telford, it is too narrow for boats to pass so a one-way system operates.

Places to visit: The Shroppie Fly at Audlem serves real ale from a bar shaped like a narrowboat. At Nantwich, the half-timbered market town’s centre is well worth the 15-minute walk down from the embankment towpath.

Warwickshire Canal Ring (102 miles)

Apart from a fascinating 12-mile stretch across the centre of Birmingham where restoration has revitalised the canal’s banks, this is a predominantly rural route. Often vying with railway lines and motorways, it takes in the best of the gentle Warwickshire countryside.

Locks: 120, including several long challenging flights like Farmer’s Bridge where 13 locks descend steeply through the centre of Birmingham. Near Lapworth, the Hatton flight of 21 locks is reputed to be the toughest (though not the longest) in Britain; it drops the canal nearly 150 feet in two miles and has hefty double gates.

Tunnels: Four, all relatively short. The longest is the 433-yard Shrewley tunnel near Kingswood.

Places to Visit: Moor in Birmingham near the National Indoor Arena at Cambrian Wharf or at the lively Gas Street Basin near Broad Street, the centre of the city’s nightlife. At the peaceful villages of Braunston and Napton-on-the-Hill, walk uphill to their churches for splendid views.

Worcester Canal Ring (83 miles)

Its considerable variety makes this one of the most interesting routes, especially as it includes 12 miles on the River Severn. The scenery includes splendid views towards Wales from the rolling Worcestershire hills. The Wolverhampton-Birmingham section is rather depressing because of the industrial decline around the canal but is certainly of historic interest.

Places to visit: Birmingham, including the shops, restaurants and bars around Gas Street Basin, and the cathedral at Worcester.

Whichever English Canal Ring You Choose

Whichever ring a narrowboat and its crew decide to try, everyone on board is sure to have an invigorating but relaxing holiday with plenty of fresh air and varied scenery all the way.

The copyright of the article Canal Ring Routes on England's Canals in England Travel is owned by Gillian Thomas. Permission to republish Canal Ring Routes on England's Canals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.