Whitchurch
Marina CANAL BOAT HIRE

Shropshire Boating Holidays

For tranquillity and beauty, start from Whitchurch Marina and meander along the Llangollen and Shropshire Union Canals, enjoying the wide open spaces and hillsides of Wales. From Whitchurch Marina, you can visit the Pontcysylle Aqueduct - one of the 7 wonders of the waterway - in a four night or week break from this base. Learn more about canal boat hire in Shropshire from Whitchurch Marina.

Phone: 01948 662012
Phone to book: 0330 333 0590 (Free UK calls)
Address: Wrexham Rd, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 3AA
Berths: 2 - 8

Maps / Guides


Nicholson: N4
Lockmaster: L8
Pearsons: P3

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Whitchurch Canal Boat Hire

 
No boating enthusiast’s life is complete without a cruise on the scenic Llangollen canal.
 
A fleet of 16 hand-crafted boats caters for anything from 2 to 8 guests.  Spend a leisurely week taking in the Llangollen canal with its famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – or head north towards Chester or Nantwich.
 

Whitchurch Marina is an ideal base for beginners and experienced boaters alike. A weekend, lock-free cruise to Ellesmere makes for a relaxing weekend, or carry on all the way to Llangollen, passing through 3 tunnels, 2 locks and over 2 breathtaking aqueducts. For more information about what to do in Wales, our guide on midweek breaks in Wales has you covered. 

For those wanting a few more locks, heading north offers the Grindley Brook staircase, and then the Shropshire Union canal with a choice of going to Chester, or down to visit the Secret Nuclear Bunker just past Nantwich. 

Directions to Whitchurch Marina

 

BY ROAD

If you are approaching from the North via the A41 or A49, you need to follow signs for Wrexham (A525) as you get nearer to Whitchurch. This will take you on a new bypass to the West of Whitchurch.

When you reach the roundabout junction with the A525, take the Wrexham (last) exit. The entrance to Viking Afloat (Whitchurch Marina) is only 50 yards on the right.. 

FROM AIRPORTS

Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham airports are all 1 hour away. You will need to take the train to Crewe or Shrewsbury and then change for Whitchurch. There is no direct National Express coach to Whitchurch so you will need to take the coach to Nantwich (9.7 miles away) or Crewe (13 miles away) and then take the train. Please see www.nationalexpress.com for details on national coach travel.

BY RAIL

The nearest train station is Whitchurch, Shropshire and you will need to get a taxi from here to the base.

WHAT 3 WORDS

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Please note that you'll need to pre-book your taxi as there are none available at the train station.

USEFUL LINKS

Here are some useful resources for information regarding Whitchurch Marina.

Train times & tickets
Birmingham Airport
Manchester Airport
Liverpool Airport

 

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Featured Routes

Featured routes from Whitchurch Marina, Shropshire

Audlem & return

This fascinating route will take you back in time to the Romans, and will also uncover stories of bishops and monks, bickering aristocracy, speeding canal boats and government secrets – and the generosity of a Queen. From Shropshire to Cheshire and back, you’ll be treated to lock staircases and lift bridges, historic aqueducts, and glorious sweeping landscapes.

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Caldon Canal

Another longer route from Whitchurch Marina. An alternative to the Four counties ring, but equally energetic.

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Chester & return

Visit the historic city of Chester with its shopping, restaurants, the River Dee and its spectacular cathedral.

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Four Counties Ring

A varied route taking in parts of the Shropshire Union Canal, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Middlewich Branch. The route includes two tunnels, over 15 aqueducts, and 94 locks - can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.

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Llangollen & return

Towards Ellesmere, past Frankton Junction, through Chirk, across Chirk Aqueduct then Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and back – 7 nights – total locks 4

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The Cheshire Ring

The ring takes in the whole of the Macclesfield Canal, parts of the Trent & Mersey, Bridgewater, Rochdale, Ashton and Peak Forest Canals, providing a range of scenery.

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Short Breaks

The following are suggested routes for short break canal holidays from Whitchurch Marina

couple learning how to drive a canal boat
Ellesmere & return

A relaxing short break, teeming with interest, and bursting with international importance. Your lock-free journey will take you past giant moss-filled bogs, home to wildfowl and exotic plants, through lush green fields, seeking rare birds hiding in big skies, and treading vital canal heritage.

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Hurleston Junction & return

For those wanting a bit more activity you can cruise east towards the English end of the canal.

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Nantwich & return

Through Grindley Brook, past Wrenbury & Hurleston Junction, to Nantwich and back

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Wrenbury & return

Travel between our Whitchurch and Wrenbury Marinas on this picturesque canal.

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Featured Boats

Featured Boats from Whitchurch Marina, Shropshire

Six to eight berth Boats

Alvechurch Duck

Max: 6 People

Length: 60ft

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Alvechurch Eagle

Max: 7 People

Length: 66ft

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Alvechurch Lark

Max: 6 People

Length: 66ft (63ft from Falkirk)

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Alvechurch Sandpiper

Max: 6 People

Length: 66ft

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Alvechurch Warbler

Max: 8 People

Length: 69ft

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Two to Five berth Boats

Alvechurch Swift

Max: 4 People

Length: 49ft

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Alvechurch Grebe

Max: 4 People

Length: 47ft

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Alvechurch Heron

Max: 5 People

Length: 58ft

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Alvechurch Plover

Max: 5 People

Length: 58ft

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Alvechurch Wren

Max: 4 People

Length: 49ft

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Up to twelve berth Boats

Alvechurch Owl

Max: 10 People

Length: 70ft

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Alvechurch Wagtail

Max: 10 People

Length: 70ft

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