Alvechurch Marina, Scarfield Road, Alvechurch, Worcestershire. B48 7SQ
Cruising from Alvechurch delves into the varied landscape of 5 Midlands counties with a rich mixture of sights and scenery - modern & historic, rural & industrial.Locks are met in majestic flights in this part of the country, so be prepared for some good bursts of activity.
The marina is at the heart of an extremely varied canal network, with a fine selection of ring routes.
Features include:
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Anderton Marina, Uplands Road, Anderton, Cheshire. CW9 6AJ
The Cheshire Ring can be done from Anderton.A fascinating trip that takes you through the heart of Manchester and the Peak District with its distinctive stone architecture.
The trip will let you enjoy glorious scenery as the Pennine Range overlooks the canal and, if time allows, detour along the Peak Forest canal to its terminus. Enjoy the stunning views from Marple and at Anderton pause to visit the fabulously restored boat lift which now operates throughout the cruising season to link the canal with the River Weaver.
Features include:
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Gayton Marina, Blisworth Arm, Northamptonshire. NN7 3ER
The Market Harborough & Return Trip:Popular with those seeking something different and if you don't mind a bit of exercise.
This route involves cruising down the North Oxford Canal to Braunston, then up the Grand Union Canal towards Leicester.
On the way to Market Harborough you will encounter no fewer than four tunnels, two sets of staircase locks and mile after mile of open countryside.
Features include:
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Hilperton Marina, Hammond way, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. BA14 8RS
The Bristol & Return Route:25 hours cruising would elsewhere be considered little more than a short break, but here the route includes Bradford on Avon, Bath, Bristol and, unusually, many more towns and villages that the canal passes through the centre of.
Having followed the route of the River Avon by canal, after Bath the navigation uses the River itself, reverting to canal to divert into Bristol city centre. Some stunning weirs accompany each river lock down to Bristol.
Museums and waterside features reflect the city's former importance as a sea port.
Visitor moorings are available right in the centre of the city in the floating harbour (mooring charges apply).
Frequent reminders of the route's industrial history such as the Brass Mill at Kelston are found within rolling valley countryside.
Features include:
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Union Wharf, The Canal Basin, Leicester Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. LE16 7UW
Union Wharf with its impressively refurbished canal warehouses and excellent restaurant is a hive of quality boating activity.Situated in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
This pretty and traditional English market town dates from 1203. Enjoy delicious food and fine ales in the town's historic coaching inns or just potter about the market and the many fine family owned shops in this gem of a town.
It is just two hours cruising to the 'Leicester Line' of the Grand Union Canal from this beautiful and tastefully restored terminus of the 'Market Harborough Arm'.
The friendly lock keeper at the famous Foxton Locks opens the gate to the world ahead and away you go.
The Foxton Locks are 10 locks in the form of a staircase, and the staff here will guide you through the locks, so there is no need to panic!
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Worcester Marina, Lowesmoor Wharf, Lowesmoor, Worcester. WR1 2RS
The cathedral city of Worcester occupies an idyllic position on the banks of the River Severn.
The city has been delighting visitors with its particular blend of architectural heritage and natural beauty for decades.
Our most convenient base for river cruising, within 25 minutes cruising (including 2 locks) you will find yourself on the magnificent River Severn.
Cruising north along the Worcs & Birmingham Canal you get to the lower end of the Tardebigge flight (of which Alvechurch is at the top), travelling north into rural Worceste
* In favourable weather you can cruise by river (the Severn and the Avon) all the way to Stratford - Shakespeare country.
* A variety of short break options include cruising by canal, river, or a combination of them both.
Based near the heart of the city of Worcester in the 19th Century ' Port of Lowesmoor ', our Worcester base has excellent road links via the M5 and a railway station 800yds away.
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