Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 18

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, and is near Manchester Airport.

Bunbury is an ideal starting point for no less then four routes on your voyage of discovery, which includes the ancient city of Chester, the Middlewich branch, the Llangollen Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal.

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.

Continuing on into Chester, with excellent views of the walled city, 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. It's well worth a visit.

To the South you negotiate the staircase locks, then within a short time the choice is yours with three routes to explore.

Barbridge Junction -you can turn onto the Middlewich Branch where tranquil countryside will guide you down to the salt town of Middlewich, which is also part of the Cheshire & Four Counties Ring, also taking you to the spectacular newly-opened Anderton Boat Lift, which allows you to cruise the River Weaver.

Continuing past Barbridge offers more choices. You can turn on to the beautiful Llangollen Canal which takes you through unspoilt Cheshire, Shropshire and Welsh countryside with some spectacular views, one being the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The Shropshire Union Canal continuing South passes through quaint towns and villages, beautiful tree-Iined cuttings and embankments. As part of the Four Counties Ring this is a wonderful way to see Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire from a different view.

Whether your holiday is a week, short break or one-way from Bunbury, there are a choice of relaxing, energetic, scenic, historic, urban and rural cruises available.

1 Week Cruising Rings:
The Four Counties Ring - 96 locks, one week;
The Inland Waterways most popular Ring, giving a lively mix of locks and level cruising. The world famous 2670 metre Harecastle Tunnel.The Wedgewood Visitor Centre, well worth making time for a visit! Market Drayton, the home of gingerbread! One week requires 8 hours cruising per day and might be a little ambitious for a novice.

10-Day Cruising Ring:
The Cheshire Ring - 102 locks (allow full 10 days)
This superb ring takes in everything from the Peaks to the Cheshire Plain. The Anderton Ring; Bosley Locks on the Macclesfield Canal; Whaley Bridge and the glorious Top Lock at Marple.