Acton to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct return

Acton to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct return from Cheshire Base

Two Nation Cruise

Cheshire 130 58 68 Suitable for 10 Nights or 2 Week holidays

This canal boat holiday allows you to meander through beautiful English and Welsh countryside, to the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It suits cruisers with some experience who are looking for somewhere new to explore, and who also have a good head for heights!

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Route highlights

Anderton Lift

Setting off south from the Acton Bridge base on the Trent & Mersey Canal, you’ll first pass the historic Anderton Lift. Built in 1875 to haul cargo boats from the River Weaver up to the much higher Trent and Mersey Canal, this 72-foot-high waterways structure is a remarkable feat of engineering. If you have time to stop off you can enjoy a coffee at the visitor centre, and take the tourist boat to travel on the lift itself.

Middlewich

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 town centre is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and pubs, as well as the Middlewich Heritage Centre, which tells the story of the town’s history.

From Middlewich you cruise back into scenic countryside on the Shropshire Union canal, and continue through Bargridge and Hurleston to Wrenbury.

Wrenbury

The picturesque village of Wrenbury has been named as one of the UK’s best villages. An 18th century wooden drawbridge spans the Shropshire Union Canal on the road leading into the village, which winds past the Wrenbury Mill and marina, and into the village’s quaint centre. The village centre has many listed buildings dating back to the 16th century, including a pub for meals and drinks.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

There are ten locks between Wrenbury and Whitchurch, and then it’s a relaxed 29 mile cruise from there on in to Llangollen, with just two locks and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to navigate. UNESCO has described this world heritage site as ‘a masterpiece of creative genius’. This amazing bridge over the River Dee holds a cast iron trough filled with water that carries narrowboats over the Dee Valley. You’ll cross over the aqueduct to a small hamlet called Trevor, where you can turn before heading back to base the way you came.

How to book this break in Cheshire

To book a canal boat holiday in Cheshire online, select Acton Bridge as your starting location and choose a 10 or 14-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.

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