The purpose of this particular section is to provide you with information about the range of cruising options possible using Canaltime at Anderton as your base.
THE CHESHIRE RING
7-14 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 8 Hrs • Locks: 92
• It is recommended to travel this ring clockwise, so heading up to Manchester.
• 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.
• Enjoy glorious scenery as the Macclesfield Canal skirts the edge of the Pennines.
• If time allows why not take a detour from Marple along the Peak Forest Canal and enjoy stunning views.
• You will cruise through the heart of Manchester and moor at Castlefield to explore the city and places such as Old Trafford, home of ‘Man U’ (www.manutd.co.uk), the Arndale shopping centre or the Museum of Science and Industry (www.mosi.org.uk).
• This route has a variety of canal features including broad and narrow locks, aqueducts and tunnels, and the distinctive stone architecture of the Peak District.
THE PENNINE RING
21 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 6.5 Hrs • Locks: 227
• The recently restored Huddersfield Narrow Canal crosses the Pennines to complete the fantastic Pennine Ring.
• At 5,698 yards, the Standedge Tunnel is the longest and highest in Britain- the passage requires pre-booking with Standedge Visitor Centre. (01484 844298)
• East of Huddersfield the canal is wider and the locks are shorter, so the maximum length of boat able to complete the circuit is 58ft.
THE FOUR COUNTIES RING
10-11 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 6.5 Hrs • Locks: 102
• From Anderton you will need to travel down to Middlewich to join the ring.
• This is one of the more rural cruising rings taking you through the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands.
• This route can also be taken from our Blackwater Meadow Marina.
CHESTER OR ELLESMERE PORT & RETURN
7-10 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 5.5-7 Hrs • Locks: 44
• On this popular countryside route the locks are well spaced for easy cruising.
• Travel to Chester and then retrace your steps back to the marina which is a popular week for first time boaters.
• You can also continue past Chester along the Shropshire Union main line to its historic terminal on the River Mersey at Ellesmere Port.
• Mooring in Chester is within easy reach of the walled city centre with its medieval ‘rows’ where there are a variety of shops, galleries and the majestic cathedral (www.visitchester.com).
• Chester Zoo is just a short walk from the canal (www.chesterzoo.org).
• Visit the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.
SHORT BREAKS
RIVER WEAVER (VIA ANDERTON BOAT LIFT) & RTN
3-4 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 7 Hrs • Locks: 14
A stunning feat of 19th Century engineering, the Anderton boat lift carries two boats at a time hydraulically, one up and one down.
At the centre of the Cheshire salt-making region, the River Weaver is steeped in industrial history, yet bristling with wildlife and beautiful scenery.
BEESTON OR NANTWICH & RTN
3 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 8 Hrs • Locks: 16
Easy cruising south from Anderton with splendid scenery and good pubs. The lovely medieval town of Nantwich, with its distinctive black and white architecture, is a brisk 1/4 hour walk from the canal.
LYMM AND RETURN
3 Nights • Cruising Time Per day: 9 Hrs • Locks: 2
Cruise above the River Weaver and its valley, where the only lock has a drop of just six inches! Preston Brook has a tunnel of nearly a mile, and there are also two shorter ones on this route.
