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Duke No3
Hotel Narrowboats Ltd
2026 Cruise Guide
Cruise 1 - Llangollen to Brewood
Date - 10th - 17th April
Route Details:
Miles - 80
Locks - 49
Canals/Rivers:
Llangollen Canal
Shropshire Union Canal
Highlights:
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk Tunnel
Nantwich Aqueduct
Grindley Brook
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Starting the cruise in Llangollen Basin which is the end of the navigable section of the Llangollen Canal. During our time on the Llangollen Canal we will cross 2 amazing aqueducts, Pontcysyllte and Chirk, and cruise through 3 tunnels. The country side is stunning which you can enjoy as we meander towards Hurleston Junction where we join the Shropshire Union Canal. At the junction we turn right towards Nantwich where we cross another of Thomas Telfords aqueducts. Continuing South we pass many small villages including Audlum, which is the location of the famous inn 'The Shroppie Fly'. Here at Audlum we rise up the flight of locks and continue our journey South. The Shropshire Union Canal is relatively straight, as canals go, so we will cruise through many cuttings and embankments. For this reason we will see some of the highest bridges on the canal network. Our journey will come to an end in Brewood where guests can explore the pretty little village. For information, Brewood is pronounced 'Brood'
Cruise 2 - Brewood to Alvechurch
Date - 18th - 25th Apr
Route Details:
55 Miles
54 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Shropshire Union Canal
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal
Stourbridge Canal
Dudley Canal
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Highlights:
Bratch Locks
Stourbridge Glass Museum
Netherton Tunnel
Black Country Museum
Wast Hill Tunnel
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - If you like to visit museums then this cruise has 2 to enjoy. We will visit both Stourbridge Glass Museum and The Black Country Museum (entry costs are guests responsibility).
We leave Brewood, pronounced 'Brood', and head South towards Autherley Junction. At the junction we pass our fist lock of the cruise which is a 'stop lock'. We also leave the Shropshire Union Canal and join the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. Heading South on one of the prettiest canals we descend through many locks including Bratch Locks. Bratch Locks are unique and challenging but also fascinating. We will understand why so before cruising through. We will also notice that the canal has many unique features in comparison to other canals. We continue South until we reach the junction of the Stourbridge Canal, taking a left turn we begin our rise to Birmingham. Stourbridge is famous for it's glass production and for this reason we will have an opportunity to visit the Stourbridge Glass Museum. Continuing we eventually join the Dudley Canal and will pass the Southern entrance of the Dudley tunnel, we will see the Northern entrance when we arrive at the Black Country Museum. Passing Dudley we reach the Netherton Tunnel, one of many for this cruise, and enter the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). We will cruise the BCN to the Black Country Museum where you can spend time exploring the site. We then continue cruising the BCN passing the centre of Birmingham at Gas Street Basin where we will join the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. No more locks towards Alvechurch but there are a couple of large tunnels that we will cruise though including Wast Hill tunnel. We arrive at Alvechurch and will moor near the train station. You can explore the village if you'd like to take a short stroll.
Cruise 3 - Alvechurch to Birmingham
(Birmingham Navigation Cruise)
Date - 26th Apr - 3rd May
Route Details:
? Miles
? Locks.
Canals/Rivers:
Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Highlights:
Wast Hill Tunnel
Industrial Birmingham
Adventure of not knowing a fixed route
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - This cruise is going to be a little different to what we normally encounter. We will begin in Alvechurch and finish in Birmingham (Gas Street Basin), everything else will be an adventure.
We will cruise The Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) taking in many of the canals that are rarely visited by other boaters. We don't really have a schedule or plan as we are not sure what we may encounter - a real adventure. Our only thought is to reach Anglesey Basin, the most Northern section on the BCN. We also hope to visit Bradley, which you may recognise the name. Bradley is one of 2 locations where replacement lock gates are made - sadly the workshop isn't open to visitors but I'm sure will be worth the visit. Lets explore.
Cruise 4 - Birmingham to Warwick
Date - 5th - 13th May
Route Details:
79 Miles
80 Locks.
Canals/Rivers:
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Coventry Canal
Oxford North Canal
Grand Union Canal
Highlights:
Industrial Birmingham
Farmers Locks
Spaghetti Junction
Drayton Turret Footbridge
Fazeley Junction
Hawkesbury Junction
Stockton Locks
Bascote Staircase Locks
Duration - 8 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Birmingham we descent down Farmers Locks through Birmingham. This section is fascinating having been almost consumed by the buildings that have been built by, next to and over the canal. We continue passing Spaghetti Junction where we join the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Here we also leave behind the industrial Birmingham and venture into the open countryside. We will descent Curdworth Locks and will reach 'Drayton Turret Footbridge', a unique footbridge which is worth having your camera ready. Reaching Fazeley Junction we take a right and join the Coventry Canal which we remain on until Hawkesbury Junction. Completing a 'U - Turn' at the junction we join the Oxford North Canal. A lovely canal in open countryside which is now some 17 miles shorter to when it first opened. After leaving Hillmorton Locks we soon arrive at Braunston and join the Grand Union Canal, we remain on this canal till Warwick. Now joining a broad canal, locks are now double as wide and also is the longest canal in the country. Continuing towards Warwick we will see the improvements that were taken around the 1830s to encourage boaters to use the canal. Descending towards Warwick we pass Stockton Locks and also Bascote Locks which is a staircase lock. Our final part of the journey will see us pass Royal Lemmington Spa where we cross the River Avon. Arriving in Warwick you can look out for a glimpse of the castle and cathedral, both can be explored once we've arrived into our mooring at Saltisford Canal Trust.
Cruise 5 - Warwick to Oxford
Date - 12th - 19th June
Route Details:
63 Miles
63 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Grand Union Canal
Oxford South Canal
Highlights:
Stockton Locks
Fenny Compton Tunnel
Croperdy
Thrupp
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Warwick behind we travel East towards Braunston. Cruising on this relatively newly modernised canal (1830s) we will notice many improvements made to encourage boaters to continue to utilise it. Crossing the River Avon and passing Royal Lemmington Spa the country side continues. We will now see 1 of 2 sections on this cruise where High Speed 2 crosses the canal. We will rise through our locks to Napton Junction including a staircase at Bascote and a flight at Stockton, at the junction we turn right and join the Oxford South Canal. Continuing to rise through the countryside at Napton we reach the summit, look out for Napton Windmill to our left as we contour round Napton Hill. We may also get lucky and see the Buffalo that are often in the fields surrounding the locks. We now enter approx 5 miles of lock free travel at our highest point, the views are amazing. These 5 miles are also some of the windiest section on the whole network, often feelling like we are doubling back on ourselves. Before be begin our descent to Oxford we pass through Fenny Compton Tunnel - Or is is a tunnel? Continuing to Oxford in the beautiful countryside we pass some very pretty villages including Cropredy and Thrupp, the first being the home of the world famous Fairport Convention Festival. We will also pass Banbury, look out for the 'Fine Lady'. Our final part of this cruise will see us transit onto the River Cherwell for a few miles before joining back onto the canal. Arriving in Oxford you'll have time to venture into the City to explore.
Cruise 6 - Oxford to Guildford
Date - 20th to 27th June
Route Details:
98 Miles
43 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Oxford Canal
River Thames
Goring
Henley on Thames
Windsor
River Wey
Highlights:
Oxford Rowing Clubs
The Royal River
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - If you love river cruising then this is the cruise for you. We will leave Oxford and join the River Thames, or knows as the River Isis at Oxford and finish the cruise on the River Wey.
Leaving Oxford we will travel South passing and avoiding many of the river cruisers and rowing boats until we reach the open waters. The Thames is the longest river in the country and in places the widest, simply stunning. Not far and we arrive at our first river lock, Iffley, this is the first of our huge locks. Continuing down the river we will pass lots of towns set on the rivers edge. Abingdon, Wallingford, Goring before reaching Reading. At reading we will pass the junction of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Continuing past Sonning and then Henley on Thames. Henley will be busy as the following week will be the Regatta so we will get to cruise the 'mile' as we imagine taking part. A few more towns and then we reach Windsor. Plenty of activity in Windsor which will make the river interesting. Staying on the River Thames we finally reach the junction and join the River Wey. Back to smaller locks and what feels more like a canal than a river. We pass the entrance of the Basingstoke Canal, sadly too shallow for us to navigate. Plenty of countryside and interesting scenery to enjoy, also an opportunity to walk the river bank. We will pass many mills on the rivers edge to enjoy the grandeur and imagine them operating back in the day. Guildford should be explored on our arrival too.
Cruise 7 - Guildford to Paddington (London) - Via Limehouse Docks
Date - 28th Jun - 5th Jul
Route Details:
66 Miles
52 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
River Wey
River Thames
Grand Union Canal
Regents Canal
Highlights:
River Wey
Teddington (Tidal river section)
Little Venice
Camden Lock
Olympic Park
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Guildford we cruise on the River Wey till we join the River Thames. Plenty of river cruising on this trip but fear not, we reach the Grand Union and enjoy the rest of the cruise on the canals.
The scenery from Guildford to the Thames is interesting with plenty of amazing views to enjoy. We will pass many mills, mostly near the numerous locks we will encounter. Before leaving the River Wey we will pass the entrance of the Basingstoke Canal, sadly to shallow to navigate. Joining the River Thames at Weybridge we turn right and travel East. The Thames is magical and is a delight to cruise on. We will pass though many river locks which are huge before passing Hampton Court Palace to our left. Continuing to Teddington we will now join the tidal section of the River Thames. The lock keepers will only release us when the tide is right. Passing Twickenham and Richmond before leaving the River and joining the Grand Union Canal, we may get a glimpse of Kew Gardens too. A little built up as we join the canal and then back into the countryside. Passing plenty of locks before reaching Bulls Bridge Junction where we turn right onto the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal. This is where we realise we are approaching London, everything around starts to build up. We have approx 5 miles of lock free canal to cruise before reaching Little Venice. Continuing past London Zoo, Camden Lock and Islington Tunnel until we reach Limehouse Dock. Here we return our journey back to Little Venice via the Olympic park. At Little Venice we turn into the Paddington Basin which puts us in the heart of the city.
Cruise 8 - Paddington (London to Aylesbury via Limehouse Dock
Date - 7th to 14th Jul
Route Details:
52 Miles
68 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Regents Canal
Camden Lock
Olympic Park
Grand Union Canal
Highlights:
Olympic Park
Camden Lock
Rickmansworth
Berkhamsted
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Before leaving and heading off to Aylesbury we will first cruise to Limehouse Dock via Camden Lock, London Zoo and the Olympic Park. After this detour we head back towards Little Venice and we will then continue on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union till we reach Bulls Bridge Junction, where we join the main line of the Grand Union. For the next 5 or so miles is a very busy section of moored boat, they are everywhere. We won't be stopping here, instead we will continue North. Soon after we are in the countryside escaping London, although not fully behind us as there are plenty of reminders. We will see signs of High Speed 2 as it crosses the canal. Passing though many locks, all double width, we continue until we finally pass under the M25 and can officially say we have left London. Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted follows. Enjoy the stunning bridges in Berkhamsted which are all painted celebrating it's history as a working inland Port. A few more miles and we reach the junction of the Wendover Arm, now partially restored and if we have time we will explore this canal. Either way within a mile of the Wendover junction is the Aylesbury Arm. Here we will start our descent of 16 locks until we reach the basin. Aylesbury is worth exploring once we arrive.
Cruise 9 - Aylesbury to Coventry
Date - 10th to 18th Aug
Route Details:
88 Miles
58 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Grand Union Canal
Oxford Canal
Oxford North Canal
Coventry Canal
Hightlights:
Iron Trunk Aqueduct
Horse Shoe Aqueduct
Stoke Bruerne Museum
Blisworth Tunnel
Braunston Tunnel
Duration - 8 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Aylesbury we have 16 locks to climb before joining the main line of the Grand Union Canal, here we turn left and head North. As soon as we reach the junction we then begin our decent 'what goes up must come down'. We have quite a few cruising miles before we enter Linslade and the built up area begins, not for long though. Passing Leighton Buzzard we are back in the countryside. The next main town we pass will be Milton Keynes. No need to worry though as the canal is well sheltered and also meanders around the edge of the city, you actually can't even tell you are traversing a city. After Milton Keynes we will cross the River Ouse on the Great Ouse Aqueduct (iron trunk aqueduct), look out for remains of the locks that were once used. Miles of lovely cruising ahead with great views before approaching Stoke Bruerne. This little village is full of canal history which includes a little museum that you can visit. On to Braunston with plenty of things to see before, including, both the Blisworth and Braunston Tunnels and the town of Weeden. Passing Braunston we turn onto the Oxford North Canal which has been shortened by over 17 miles back in the day mostly to straighten it and make it quicker for boats to transit. Our final City before Coventry is Rugby which we will pass through followed by a shorter tunnel. We will reach Hawkesbury Junction where we will join the Coventry Canal. A lockless canal of 5 miles before we reach our destination of Coventry.
Cruise 10 - Coventry to Stourbridge
Date - 19th to 26th Aug
Route Details:
62 Miles
76 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Coventry Canal
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Dudley Canal
Stourbridge Canal
Highlights:
Hawkesbury Junction
Atherstone
Fazeley Junction
Spaghetti Junction
Famers Locks
Industrial Birmingham
Stourbridge Glass Museum
Delph Locks
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Coventry we head off towards Fazeley Junction in Tamworth. This journey will see us pass Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone all of which are very inconspicuous from the canal. Passing Atherstone we descend 11 locks which are never short of plenty of volunteers. The Coventry Canal is interesting with plenty to see and good towpaths to walk if you'd prefer. At Fazeley Junction we join the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal heading towards Birmingham. We will pass under Drayton Turret Bridge, an interesting structure which looks completely out of place to everything else. More locks to follow at Curdworth which are very pleasant. Not long after we know we are approaching Birmingham as everything begins to close in on us. We first pass near Spaghetti Junction and then a 4 mile stretch of canal with plenty of buildings around and above us, 2 flights of locks finishing this stretch at Farmers Locks. Arriving at Birmingham Gas Steet Basin we join the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). Venturing through industrial Birmingham we reach Netherton Tunnel, one of the last tunnels on the network to be built. Transiting through we join the Dudley Canal. Staying mostly built up passing many old canal warehouses we will cruise near the entrance to the Dudley Tunnel, now only open for electric boats. We continue our descent though Delph Locks and soon join the Stourbridge Canal. The final few miles to our Destination will see us go through a further 16 locks. Mid way through these locks the Glass Museum which you can visit if you wish. Our journey will finish in Stourbridge Basin.
Cruise 11 - Stourbridge to Chester
Date - 27th Aug to 3 Sept
Route Details:
74 Miles
65 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Stourbridge Canal
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal
Shropshire Union Canal
Hightlights:
Bratch Locks
Autherley Junction
Norbury Junction
Tyrley Locks
Audlum
Iron and Stone Lock
Beeston Castle
Chester City Walls
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - We will leave our mooring in Stourbridge Basin leaving the arm to join the main line of the Stourbridge Canal. Just over 2 miles and 4 locks will see us arrive at Stourton Junction joining the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. A lovely canal with plenty of unique features to admire including Bratch Locks. Bratch Locks are 3 individual locks that used to be a staircase of locks. This adds to the interesting procedure you must follow to rise or fall safely, thankfully plenty of volunteers at hand to see you through. Continuing until we reach Autherley Junction where we join the Shropshire Union Canal. First passing a 'stop lock' which back in the day stopped different canal companies 'stealing' each others water. We remain on this canal until we reach Chester and what is probably one of the straightest canals on the network. Nearly 30 miles follow with only 1 lock to pass at Wheaton Aston. Being so straight means the canal has plenty of cuttings and embankments. We also see some of the highest bridges to compensate for deep cuttings, most called 'High Bridge'. Before Market Drayton we pass through Tyrley Locks, these are in a cutting that very rarely sees sunlight making it very eerie. Continuing to our next major flight of locks we reach Audlem. Here you may wish to visit the famous 'Shroppie Fly' Inn. Soon we pass Nantwich crossing over Telford's Aqueduct, this point the canal widens and becomes a broad canal. Passing Hurleston and Barbridge Junctions sees us on our final 15 miles to Chester. This section is very open and often very breezy. We've left our cuttings behind so the canal feels very open. Plenty to see also including Beeston Castle, Iron and Stone Lock and of course Bunbury Locks - giving it's name to the 'Bunbury Shuffle'. Finally approaching Chester we enter more built up areas. Following the city walls we approach our final staircase locks just before the basin where we will finish our cruise.
Cruise 12 - Chester to Llangollen
Date - 8th to 15th Sept
Route Details:
61 Miles
35 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Shropshire Union Canal
Llangollen Canal
Highlights:
Chester City Walls
Beeston Castle
Stone and Iron Lock
Hurleston Junction
Grindley Brook
Ellesmere
Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk Tunnel
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Llangollen Narrows
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving the basin we immediately enter our first set of 3 staircase locks for this cruise. After raising up with set off leaving Chester by following the city walls. Soon the city is left behind us entering the countryside. This section to the junction of the Llangollen canal is very pretty. Open countryside with views for miles. We will pass Iron and Stone Locks as well as contour around Beeston Castle. We may partake in the 'Bunbury Shuffle' at Bunbury Locks if we meet other boats descending. Two junctions follow, Barbridge which takes you to Middlewich and Hurleston where we will join the Llangollen Canal. Entering the Canal we are reminded of it's current purpose of transiting water from the River Dee at Llangollen to Hurleston Reservoir. The Llangollen canal is interesting and can be very popular at all times. We will pass many little villages including Wrenbury and the Medieval Whitchurch. Grindley Brook is infamous and you'll see why when we rise the staircase flight. These are also our final locks for some time, only 2 remain. Heading towards Ellesmere we will cruise over embankments giving us a great elevated view, we will also enter the wooded area around the 'Meres' which gives it a different feel. Leaving Ellesmere wills see the canal meander for some miles with some very tight bends before reach Frankton Junction. Here you can join the Montgomery Canal. Before we arrive at Chirk we will pass through our final 2 locks of the journey. Chirk gets very narrow and busy which makes this section interesting. Past the narrows we now enter Chirk Aqueduct and immediately enter Chirk Tunnel. The next few miles approaching Pontcysyllte Aqueduct include some deep cuttings and a short tunnel. As we approach the aqueduct our cuttings disappear and we can now see over the Dee Valley, occasionally getting a view of the aqueduct. Finally crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct you'll be amazed, cross by boat but also if you dare take a walk across. Now our final 4 miles to Llangollen sees us enter some of the prettiest canal views on the network. The canal can get very narrow especially nearer Llangollen. This section is called the 'Narrows' and we hope not to see a boat coming the other way. After the narrows we pass the horse drawn trip boats and we may see them working before entering the basin where our journey ends. Llangollen is definitely worth a visit.