4 nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 30
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 20 HOURS
Maps & Guides for this route: P3, N4, L8, | Click here buy maps
Leaving Wrenbury Mill Marina, you’ll cruise gently along the Llangollen Canal through its iconic lift bridges and into quiet open countryside, arriving after around three hours at Swanley Bridge, your first night’s mooring. There are no shops or eateries at the moorings, so you’ll need to bring provisions for your first evening meal, unless you choose to arrange transport into nearby Ravensmoor for the Farmer’s Arms.
The second day is a bigger cruising day as you continue on towards Wharton’s Lock, passing through the distinctive Bunbury staircase locks on the way — a memorable double lock that forms part of an important historic lock group on the canal. Allow around seven hours overall for this stretch, enjoying the open views and heritage of the “Shroppie”, the last major narrow canal line engineered by Thomas Telford in 1835. The Shady Oak Pub is also just a short walk along the canal, making it an easy place to stretch your legs and enjoy a drink or meal before settling in for the evening.
On day three, you can step ashore at Wharton’s Bridge and walk towards Beeston Castle, which forms part of a local circular route of 3.5 miles (5.5 km) linking Wharton’s Lock, the Sandstone Trail and the castle surroundings. Beeston Castle itself is steeped in history — built in the 1220s by Ranulf, 6th Earl of Chester, it rises dramatically above the Cheshire Plain and incorporates the earthworks of an earlier Iron Age hillfort. After exploring, cruise for around four hours to reach the Olde Barbridge Inn, a favourite canalside spot for a relaxing evening meal.
On the fourth day, you’ll continue back towards Hurleston Junction, where the Llangollen Canal meets the Shropshire Union at a historically significant crossroads of waterways first used commercially in 1796. Turning back onto the Llangollen, enjoy the final run through quiet countryside to Wrenbury. Moor up by the lift bridge and round off your holiday with a visit to The Dusty Miller, the atmospheric canalside pub housed in the old corn mill. The following morning, you’re already perfectly placed at Wrenbury Mill Marina to return your boat.
