About this trip.
Planning the route? Read our Four Counties Ring guide. Weighing up hire firms? UK narrowboat hire, compared lists 32 firms by canal, dog fees and fuel.
Before you book: Canal du Midi vs UK narrowboating — same week, different country, very different holiday · How we vet operators — and the questions you should ask any small-group operator yourself
Nantwich Canal Centre sits at Basin End on Chester Road, Nantwich. From here you can take a holiday or a short break on the Shropshire Union Canal in a self-drive narrowboat. Boats take from 2 to 8 people, so they suit couples, families and groups of friends. The smallest are 49ft boats for 2 to 4 people, and the largest are 69ft boats for up to 8. The boats are hand-built at the operator's own base at Alvechurch Marina.
Nantwich stands on the banks of the River Weaver and is known for the medieval timbered buildings around the town. Its streets are good for a wander, with small boutiques, antiques dealers and contemporary craft shops.
Longer routes from Nantwich
One route heads down the Shropshire Union Canal, past pretty towns and villages, to Market Drayton, the home of gingerbread. It then carries on to Brewood in Staffordshire before turning back. The Four Counties Ring passes through Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands. An experienced, energetic crew can complete it in 7 nights, or you can take 10 to 14 nights if you want more time for sightseeing and relaxing.
Llangollen and return covers the whole length of the Llangollen Canal. Along the way are countryside views, friendly canalside towns, some relaxing lock-free sections and a few tunnels. There are also two aqueducts, one of them the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route to Lymm and back is recommended for beginners. It runs through the Cheshire countryside and pretty towns and villages, with a couple of aqueducts and a few tunnels. You can also stop at the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre, where boats are lifted down to the River Weaver below.
Short breaks on the Shropshire Union
Chester and return is a scenic cruise through the Cheshire countryside, with plenty to see on the way. Market Drayton and return follows the Shropshire Union Canal past pretty towns and villages and a couple of lock flights. Middlewich and return suits novices. It is a relaxed, mostly rural cruise to the Roman town of Middlewich, which is known for salt production. The first couple of hours have no locks, so you can get used to handling the boat before you need your windlass.
Getting to the marina
By road, leave the M6 at Junction 16 and follow the signs for Crewe and Nantwich. The marina is on Chester Road (B5341). Manchester Airport is about 50 minutes away (37.9 miles), and Birmingham Airport about 1 hour 20 minutes (70 miles). The nearest station is Nantwich, a short taxi ride from the marina, with services from London Euston and Birmingham New Street. Pearson, Nicholson and Lockmaster all publish canal guides that cover the area.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest canal holidays on Mooch, both in England. Prices are the operators' own, per boat.
