Duration: 7 nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 40
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 30
Maps & Guides for this route: P3, N4, L8, | Click here to buy maps
Leaving Wrenbury Mill Marina, your first afternoon is an easy introduction to the Llangollen Canal, cruising through its signature lift bridges and into peaceful countryside. You can choose how far you’d like to go on day one: for a shorter first day, moor after around two hours at Greenfield Bridge, or if you fancy a little longer on the tiller, continue on to Swanley Bridge for the night. Swanley Bridge and Greenfield Bridge have no nearby shops or eateries, so make sure you’ve brought provisions for your first evening meal, unless you plan a trip into nearby Ravensmoor.
On day two you’ll continue to Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen meets the Shropshire Union — a crossroads of waterways with a long working history, first coming into use in the late 18th century. Descend onto the “Shroppie” and cruise north to Bunbury Lock Bridge, mooring just after tackling the memorable Bunbury staircase locks, an important historic lock site now recognised for its significance. From here you’ve got two good evening options on foot: it’s around 0.6 miles to the Tollemache Arms in Alpraham and about 0.8 miles to the Dysart Arms in Bunbury — a leisurely 30 minute walk.
Day three is a relaxed rural run of around five hours to Christleton Bridge, where the much‑loved Cheshire Cat sits close to the canal. The pub itself has a bit of storybook history: it was originally built in 1801 and is said to stand on the site of an English Civil War battlefield. It’s a great place to pause before your final approach to the city.
Day four brings you into the heart of Chester, after around three hours of cruising moor up after the winding hole at Cow Lane Bridge. Chester is one of England’s most atmospheric historic cities, founded as the Roman fortress Deva, and you’ll have the whole afternoon to explore — from its impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the largest in Britain, to the famous medieval Chester Rows, the unique two‑tier timber‑framed shopping galleries running through the heart of the old city
Day five begins the journey back, cruising around five hours to Bates Mill Bridge. Here you’ll find The Shady Oak, a canalside pub right by Bridge 109, well known with boaters on this stretch.
On day six, take time to visit Beeston Castle, one of the most dramatic ruins in the region. It was built in the 1220s by Ranulf, 6th Earl of Chester, and the site also incorporates the banks and ditches of an earlier Iron Age hillfort — a real “layers of history” landmark above the Cheshire Plain. From the canal, a local circular walking route links Wharton’s Lock / Sandstone Trail with the castle area, 3.5 miles (5.5 km) in total. After your castle visit, continue cruising for around four hours to Barbridge, mooring at the Olde Barbridge Inn for a well‑earned refreshment.
Day seven takes you back to Hurleston Junction, where you turn onto the Llangollen Canal and cruise home through open countryside to Wrenbury. Allow around 6.5 hours cruising for the day, then moor up alongside The Dusty Miller Pub for a relaxed last night — perfectly positioned to return your boat to Wrenbury Mill Marina the following morning.
