Canal Boat Holiday Base 18 Information - on the Shropshire Union Canal

Short Break Routes One Week Routes Longer routes Boats from Base 18

Boats departing from Bases 15,16 and 18 are currently unable to complete the Cheshire Ring due to a sink hole on the Bridgewater canal near Lymm

About the Area

Base 18 is on the Shropshire Union Canal, near Chester. It is run by one of the largest boat operators in the UK and is easily accessible by road or rail.

The base is an ideal starting point for no less then four routes, which include the ancient city of Chester, the Middlewich branch, the Llangollen Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal. These give many choices for both short break and one-week cruises, or longer.

Routes from Base 18

Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.

Short break routes (3 - 4 nights)

Chester and back
18 locks • 14 hours

To the West you cruise through the countryside towards the Roman City of Chester, encountering the historic Beeston Castle situated high on the hill to give breathtaking views across the Cheshire Plain. Continue on into the World Heritage City of Chester, with excellent views of the walled city and moorings below the walls. Chester Zoo makes an ideal stopover for children and then on to Ellesmere Port, which joins the Manchester Ship Canal and is the home of the Boat Museum.

Whitchurch and back
40 locks • 18 hours

To the South you negotiate the staircase locks, then just past Barbridge junction turn on to the beautiful Llangollen Canal as far as the market town of Whitchurch.

Alternatively, at Barbridge you can turn onto the Middlewich Branch through tranquil countryside to the ancient salt town of Middlewich and perhaps onwards to the spectacular Anderton Boat Lift.

One week routes

Llangollen and back
46 locks • 44 hours

Cruise south to Barbridge then onto the Llangollen Canal into Wales, crossing both the Chrk Aqueduct and the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 126 feet above the River Dee. Llangollen itself is well worth a visit with centrally located moorings.

Four Counties Ring
96 locks • 50 hours

The Shropshire Union Canal continuing south from Barbridge passes through quaint towns and villages, beautiful tree-lined cuttings and embankments. The Four Counties Ring passes through Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire and is the most popular Ring.

Longer routes

Cheshire Ring
102 locks • 60 hours

Cruise to Middlewich to join the Cheshire Ring on its route through rural Cheshire with a section through the heart of the city of Manchester with many activities for all the family.