Short
Breaks

Stone and return from Gailey Marina

4 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 30
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 6 HOURS (24 HOURS TOTAL)

Maps & Guides for this route: P4, N4, L10 | Click here buy maps

Travel up the Trent & Mersey to the market town of Stone. 

Day 1: Leaving Gailey Wharf and cruising north on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal you encounter your first lock; as this lock is situated so close to the Marina, a member of staff is happy to navigate it with you!  A further 4 locks in quick succession and after around 2 hours cruising you will reach the old village of Penkridge. An ideal location for mooring on your first night is near Filance Lock as there are country pubs either side of this lock and it’s a short walk into the village.

Day 2: Today you will continue along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, through the shallow Penk Valley and on to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Cruise for around 5 hours along this charming valley before reaching Tixall Lock where there are interesting views in all directions: the castellated entrance to Shugborough Railway tunnel at the foot of the thick woods of Cannock Chase and the outline of Tixall Gatehouse. Tixall Wide is a delightful stretch of water, known for its Kingfisher population.

Turning at Great Haywood Junction and joining the Trent & Mersey Canal, you can moor up at bridge 74 and take the opportunity to do some shopping in the farm shop. Cruise for a further 2 hours through stunning countryside until you reach Weston- on- Trent where there are nice pubs just a short walk from the canal.

Day 3: Start your third day by travelling to Stone. After 3 hours of cruising through the quiet and peaceful Trent Valley, turn at the bottom of Star Lock and moor up. Stone calls itself a ‘canal town’ and it is easy to see why; the canalside is impressive, with plenty of history and of course an old lockside canal pub! There are plenty of shops here too as well as a playground to keep any children occupied. Retracing your journey you will be cruising south on the Trent & Mersey Canal to Great Haywood, this should take around 5 hours and is a good place to moor for the evening. There are several places to eat here or you can take a 30 minute walk to Little Haywood.

Day 4: Start the day by taking a walk to Shugborough Hall (National Trust) and spend some time exploring the magnificent rooms and treasures inside. Begin your final full day of cruising by turning back onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and enjoy the scenery from a different perspective. Cruise for around 6 hours and pass through a number of little country villages such as Milford and Acton Trussell. When you reach Penkridge, it is recommended to moor near Rodbaston Lock as this will leave you around an hours cruising on your last morning.

Day 5: Travel through the final few locks before 9am and arrive at the marina ready to vacate the boat by 9:30am.

Featured Boats

Featured Boats from Gailey Marina, Staffordshire

Two to Five berth Boats

Alvechurch Swift

Max: 4 People

Length: 49ft

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Alvechurch Kestrel

Max: 4 People

Length: 49ft

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Alvechurch Wren

Max: 4 People

Length: 49ft

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Viking Nene

Max: 4 People

Length: 42ft

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Six to eight berth Boats

Alvechurch Duck

Max: 6 People

Length: 60ft

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Alvechurch Goose

Max: 8 People

Length: 69ft

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Alvechurch Gull

Max: 6 People

Length: 66ft

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Alvechurch Warbler

Max: 8 People

Length: 69ft

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