The Peak District Base Information - Black Prince UK Canal Boat Hire, Narrowboat Rental in England

The Peak District: Trent & Mersey, Caldon Canal

Boats Available: All boats start on Friday, Saturday, Monday or Wednesday

Situated on the redeveloped National Garden Festival site, home of the industrial potteries, and host to some of the most fabulous scenery on Britain's waterways is what makes this one of the most popular Black Prince starting points.

There is a variety of routes available from this marina, with the Cheshire Ring and the Four Counties Ring being the most popular. You can exchange the contrasting landscapes of the Potteries, Royal Doulton, Cheddleton Mill and Wedgewood industries for the peace and tranquility of the Llangollen Canal.

What better way to experience the hidden delights that this unique journey has to offer.

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Click here for The Peak District Base Information (pdf file 527 Kb)

Suggested Routes From The Peak District

1. CALDON & LEEK CANALS
42 Miles, 34 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 3 hours per day (GREEN ROUTE)
An easy week down on one of the most beautiful and quiet canals of them all. From the junction near the marina, you progress up some locks to the outskirts of Stoke via factories and parks. Here you encounter progressively more picturesque countryside as you enter the Churnet Valley. The Leek branch contains no locks from the junction, whereas the Froghall branch descends to the River Churnet. If time permits a trip down the Trent and Mersey to Stone is well worthwhile.

2. FOUR COUNTIES RING
111 Miles, 94 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 8 hours per day (RED ROUTE)
More strenuous, you travel southwards from the Marina past the Wedgewood factory through the canal town of Stone to Great Haywood, where you meet the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Traveling westwards you join the Shropshire Union at Autherley. 'The Shroppie' with its impressive architecture, banks and cuttings, carries you northwards to the Middlewich Arm. At Middlewich you rejoin the Trent and Mersey which carries you back to Stoke through a number of locks and the Harecastle Tunnel.

3. CHESHIRE RING
110 Miles, 92 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 9 hours per day (BLUE ROUTE)
Another more strenuous route; you travel northwards through the Harecastle tunnel and join the Macclesfield via a fly-over. This is a lovely canal through Congleton, Macclesfield and Marple to Manchester. Manchester is currently being improved, but has some way to go. A lock-free section of the Bridgewater (where it all started) follows until Middlewich, passing the Anderton Lift. A more heavily locked section takes you back home to Stoke.

4. WHALEY BRIDGE AND RETURN
82 Miles, 26 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (YELLOW ROUTE)
An easy week, travelling into the Peak District to the end of the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge. Travelling north through the Harecastle Tunnel, you join the Macclesfield Canal at Hardings Wood. The Macclesfield Canal skirts the edge of the Peak District through the small towns of Congleton, Macclesfield and Marple, before turning onto the Peak Forest Canal to Whaley Bridge.

The Peak District Base Information

Hotels / Guest Houses

Haydon House Hotel, Basford, Stoke on Trent. ST4 6JD
Telephone: 01782 711311
Fax: 01782 717470
www.haydon-house-hotel.co.uk
Double rooms - £75.00 Single rooms - £65.00 Prices include breakfast.
Located about half a mile from the marina.

Best Western Moat House, Festival Park, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5BQ.
Telephone: 01782 609988
www.bw-stokeontrentmoathouse.co.uk
Double / Single rooms - £79.00 Prices does not include breakfast.
Located approx. 300 yards from the marina and other site facilities.

Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Stoke on Trent
www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545

Nearest Airport: Manchester International Tel. 0161 489 3000
www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Taxi / Minicabs

Intercity Cabs: Telephone. 01782 855855 www.intercitycabs.co.uk
Z Cars: Telephone. 01782 593322

Example Prices:
A taxi for 4 people from Manchester International Airport to the base at Stoke on Trent would be approx. £45
A taxi for 4 people from Stanstead or Heathrow Airport to the base at Stoke on Trent would be approx. £160
(Prices courtesy of Intercity Cabs Subject to change)

Car Hire

Hertz Car Hire has depots throughout the UK (including main airports). We have an exclusive agreement with Hertz who will provide reduced rates for all Black Prince customers. Drop-offs, collections and oneways are all available, allowing you to pick up a car at your arrival point and request a car to be waiting at the end of your holiday for onward travel. To book your car visit www.hertz.co.uk or call 0870 844 4844 and quote CDP 69481

Rail

www.nationalrail.co.uk / www.qjump.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries: Telephone : 08457 484950

Flying into London

From Heathrow the underground tube train goes through to London Euston station.
From Gatwick the train (Gatwick Express) goes through to London Victoria station and then change to the
tube train to London Euston.
From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Euston

From London Euston station there is a train through to Stoke on Trent

Flying into Manchester
Manchester railway station is adjacent to Manchester Airport. From here there is a train to either Piccadilly
or Wilmslow station where you can change for a direct line through to Stoke on Trent.

Please check with British Rail before travelling. Prices will vary depending on the day you travel and if it is single or return etc.

How To Find Us (By Road)

Leave the M6 at either Junction 15 (from South) or Junction 16 (from North) and follow the A500 until you come to the A53. Turn towards Hanley and city centre. Passing over the canal you will see the marina on your left hand side. At this point stay in the left hand lane. (Do not cross the flyover) At the large roundabout under the flyover turn left. At the mini - roundabout turn left again and the marina entrance is on your left.

There is a large Morrison supermarket and a number of other shops at Festival Park, nearby to the base.

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