Trent & Mersey Canal Short Break

BARBRIDGE & RETURN

Locks: 16 (total)

Cruising Time: Around 20hrs / 3 or 4 night short break

How to Book: Choose the Base Acton Bridge in Cheshire and either the weekend or midweek option under Length of Holiday.

This lovely canal holiday short break route offers a mix of gorgeous Cheshire countryside and some interesting attractions. It suits both boat novices with a manageable number of locks as well as the more experienced cruisers who are looking for somewhere new to explore.

Setting off south from the Acton Bridge base on the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll first pass the awe-inspiring Anderton Lift. Built in 1875 to haul cargo boats from the River Weaver up to the much higher Trent and Mersey Canal, the 72-foot-high Anderton Boat Lift is a remarkable feat of engineering.

Complete with visitor centre, coffee shop and a ‘trip boat’ that you can hop on to experience the lift and the River Weaver, it’s a great place to spot and picnic. Find out more about the Anderton Lift here.

From the Anderton lift continue on to Northwich, then turning onto the Middlewich arm to Barbridge Junction. Middlewich is famous for hosting the annual Folk and Boat festival, plus various Roman and Norman festivals and a host of farmer’s markets.

The route to your turning point at Barbridge features glorious Cheshire countryside dotted with these local towns, rich in tradition and history. A great short break on the waterways!

HOW TO BOOK THIS SHORT BREAK IN CHESHIRE

To book a canal boat holiday in Cheshire online, select Acton Bridge as your starting location and choose a 3-night holiday. For more information about Cheshire, visit our Cheshire narrowboat holidays page.

Alternatively, feel free to call our reservations team at +44 (0)1527 575115.

Starting days for weekend breaks in Cheshire are Fridays and Saturdays, with departure times between 2pm and 5pm. Friday departures are for three nights and you are due back to base on Monday morning by 9.30am, Saturday departures are due back Tuesday morning by 9.30am. Starting dates for midweek breaks are from a Monday or a Tuesday from 2pm.