Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 26

Base 26 is near Stafford and is run by one of the largest boat operators in the UK. It is easily accessible by road or rail and near Birmingham Airport.

At the junction of the Trent & Mersey and Staffs & Worcester Canals Located on the doorstep of Lord Lichfield?s Shugborough Hall, our base at Great Haywood offers a wide choice of cruising routes and canalside attractions.

Alton Towers Theme Park is a 15-minute bus ride from the end of the Caldon Canal. Drayton Manor Park and Waterworld are both within two days cruising and you can moor up outside the gates!!

The area is a Mecca for wildlife enthusiasts and it also boasts a fantastic array of stately homes, castles, gardens and pretty villages to take time-out and explore. After heavy day of sightseeing or cruising, relax and reflect at one of the many fantastic canalside watering holes ? no trendy wine bars here! You?ll have to go to Birmingham for that! ? But characterful pubs full of characters! On your final evening you might like to try a meal in The Clifford Arms, in Great Haywood.

1 Week Breaks:
The Four Counties Ring - 94 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.

The Black Country Ring - 103 locks, one week
Take in the splendour of Cannock Chase and cruise all the way to the heart of Birmingham City Centre. Visit Penkridge, Fradley and Old Turn Junction. This is a great one-week Ring and is achievable cruising 6 hours per day.

2 Week Breaks:
Choose either a more leisurely cruise of the Four Counties or Black Country Rings, or a two-week out and back holiday gives time to visit Wedgwood Pottery, Anderton Boat Lift, the National Garden Festival Arena and explore the many beautiful villages lining this route.

3 Weeks or more:
The Penine Circuit - 192 locks, three weeks
This is THE Circuit!! Narrow canal; broad canal; river and tidal river, this circuit has them all. Countryside swings from Peaks to Dales and through river valleys. 3 weeks requires a strict eight hours per day cruising, and would be a lot to take in over just 21 days. 4 weeks eases to six hours cruising per day and is the narrowboat trip of a lifetime. ? PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A TRIP FOR NOVICES!! AND IS VERY HARD WORK FOR A CREW OF TWO!!