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Four Counties Ring Canal Boat Holidays
A guide to the Four Counties Ring and narrowboat hire on the Four Counties Ring
Please note that these route pages are a work in progress. The figures below indicate route length; however, not all locks and bridges are included currently, so the time required may be underestimated.
The Four Counties Ring itself:
Cruising Hours: This route consists of 110.265 miles, 94 locks, 1 movable bridges and 2 tunnels. Which will take 8 days, 6 hours and 44 minutes when travelling for 7 hours per day at our default speeds.
Departure Point: Stone, Staffordshire
Cruising Hours: This route consists of 110.265 miles, 94 locks, 1 movable bridges and 2 tunnels. Which will take 8 days, 6 hours and 44 minutes when travelling for 7 hours per day at our default speeds.
Departure Point: Beeston, Cheshire
Cruising Hours: This route consists of 122.063 miles, 106 locks, 1 movable bridges and 2 tunnels. Which will take 9 days, 6 hours and 32 minutes when travelling for 7 hours per day at our default speeds.
The Four Counties Ring has been the most popular cruising ring for years - for several good reasons. Where else can you experience all that the English countryside has to offer within 1 - 2 weeks, and all from the comfort of your holiday home? You will take in the tranquil waters of Tixall Wide, the industrial heritage of Stoke-on-Trent and dive into the past and learn more about Hack Green Secret Bunker.
Try making your own mugs and bowls at one of the many potteries on the way and experience the infamous Harecastle Tunnel first hand. Still got some energy left? There are in total 94 locks to tackle. But don’t despair: plenty of pubs, restaurants and cafes are there to recharge your batteries. If you need a change of pace, why not go on a daytrip to Alton Towers? While in Stoke-on-Trent, this great theme park is only a short taxi drive away from the canal.
Places of interest on the Four Counties Ring
Places to visit & highlights on the canal itself
Bridge No. 35A Shropshire Union Canal
Aqueduct on Shropshire Union Canal
Trent and Mersey Canal, Stone
Autherley Junction
Lock 33
Railway Bridge Over Canal
Stafford Visitor Moorings
Wildwood Park
Shugborough Estate
Middleport Pottery
Bridge 6
Etruria Industrial Museum & Heritage Centre
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker
Lock 34
Bridge 8
Etruria Industrial Museum
Bridge No. 12 Shropshire Union Canal
Aqueduct Marina Campsite
Wardle Canal
Etruria Locks
Top Rated Pubs And Restaurants On to Near the Canal
Barchetta Restaurant
Boat Inn
The Anchor Inn
Wharf Tavern
The Olde Barbridge Inn
Fox & Anchor
Plume of Feathers
The Hartley Arms
Saracens Head
The Swan Inn
Kings Lock Fish & Chips
The Holy Inadequate
The Bluebell
Broughton Arms
Crown Wharf
Wimpy
Red Bull Hotel
Aston Marina
Clifford Arms
The Borehole
*Canal side places powered by foursquare
Further reading and learning about the Four Counties Ring
Guides
Videos
Useful youtube videos covering some or all of this route.
Please note: These are independent youtube video, and not affiliated with or endorsing our business Roam&Roost Canal Boat Holidays
Hire Boats for the Four Counties Ring.
Below you'll see the available hire narrowboats for this route.
Not sure if the Four Counties Ring is for you?
Take a look at some of our other routes in this area
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