I have
provided access to some of this detail with the kind agreement of Alvechurch
Boats and Shire cruisers. Click
here to view various suggested routes I
have also added a link to a route planner to help gauge journey times. Click
here to view
A Beginners Guide
to Canal Boating
|
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Last change
01/05/2000
Mail me direct if
your query isn't answered here
The canal system is much larger than most people think, and most of the over 2000 miles of navigable waterways in Britain are connected to the "main system" and are served by a number of boat yards widely spread across the country giving a vast choice of potential holiday destinations.
At the bottom of this page is a map of the main connected system courtesy of Alvechurch boat centers. It shows how you can cruise as far north as Skipton in the Pennines, south to Goldaming. West to Wales and Llangollen and east to the fen country. The five red squares are the location of the Alvechurch boat centers hire bases, and that of Shire Cruisers at Sowerby Bridge. There is a good selection of guide books available for the canals which not only contain accurate maps, but also details of the area the canals pass through, and where to find the facilities you may need during your holiday. Hire companies sometimes supply these on the boat, other times they have them available for purchase at the hire base when you start your holiday. I offer an Internet ordering service which has details of guide books and other canal literature should you wish to obtain a book before your holiday.
Hire bases are scattered throughout the entire network, and so where ever you wish to visit by boat you will be able to hire from a nearby base. Your choice of destination will be influenced by many factors, whether you wish to visit a specific town, want a country holiday, or something with city facilities always close to hand, plenty of locks to operate or not many at all, or a mixture of all these. What ever your choice, there is a route which will suit you, the canals are such a varied place.
How far you will cruise is again a question only you will be able to answer - it depends on how energetic you feel, and also how long the daylight hours are at the time of year you choose to holiday ( hire boats are not normally permitted to cruise in hours of darkness) As a general rule if you allow 15 minutes per lock and assume you will travel at 2ūmph ( the speed limit is 4mph on canals but is not usually attainable due to the overriding rule of not creating a breaking wash the limit on rivers varies from 4mph up to 8mph) you will not go far wrong. Do remember however to allow time for a visit to a canal side pub, and to buy supplies etc. All holiday companies are happy to provide you with guidance and a selection of suggested routes from their bases, and many do so within their brochures.
I have
provided access to some of this detail with the kind agreement of Alvechurch
Boats and Shire cruisers. Click
here to view various suggested routes
I
have also added a link to a route planner to help gauge journey times. Click
here to view
For
an interactive, scalable map of the system
CLICK HERE
(courtesy of British Waterways)