Historic 10/11-day Shropshire Union cruise

Autherley to Chester / Ellesmere Port

Cruise at your leisure through unspoilt countryside through picturesque villages and towns with the historic city of Chester or the boat museum at Ellesmere Port as your turning point, or Nantwich if you want a more leisurely trip.

133Miles
84Locks
67Hours
10–11Nights
AUTHACEP
Autherley to Chester / Ellesmere Port Autherley Junction
Route at a glance

Autherley to Chester / Ellesmere Port at a glance

Cruise at your leisure through unspoilt countryside through picturesque villages and towns with the historic city of Chester or the boat museum at Ellesmere Port as your turning point, or Nantwich if you want a more leisurely trip.

133Miles
84Locks
67Hours
10–11Nights
Illustrated journeyAutherley → Ellesmere Port
Designed for clarity
NB HIRE
Autherley Brewood Market Drayton Audlem Nantwich Chester Ellesmere Port
⚓ Autherley Junction base

This is a deliberately simplified journey graphic for holiday planning, not a navigation chart.

🌿Scenery

See the character of the route change as you cruise from stop to stop.

🔒Locks & pace

Use the itinerary below to plan comfortable cruising days for your crew.

🍺Places to stop

Suggested villages, towns and canalside stops are built into the journey.

Your suggested journey

12 suggested journey stages

Open each stage to see the suggested cruising plan. Times and stops are a guide, so adapt the journey to your crew, conditions and preferred pace.

AutherleyBrewoodMarket DraytonAudlemNantwichChesterEllesmere Port
1
Day one Autherley to Brewood Pick up your boat from Autherley in the afternoon, and after your instruction, head north on the Shropshire…
🧭 5 miles ⏱ 2 hours

Pick up your boat from Autherley in the afternoon, and after your instruction, head north on the Shropshire Union Canal. 2 hours cruising will see you to your evening mooring at Brewood.

＋ Add a route photograph Autherley to Brewood
Suggested highlights

Autherley · Brewood

2
Day two Brewood to the Anchor Inn, High Offley Continue northwards on the Shropshire Union Canal for an easy days boating to tonight's stop

Continue northwards on the Shropshire Union Canal for an easy days boating to tonight's stop

＋ Add a route photograph Brewood to the Anchor Inn, High Offley
Suggested highlights

Brewood · the Anchor Inn, High Offley

3
Day three Convenience Store close to the canal The Navigation Inn is a charming village pub and restaurant with a large beer garden with beautiful canalside…
🧭 13 miles 🔒 1 locks ⏱ 5 and 1/2 hours

The Navigation Inn is a charming village pub and restaurant with a large beer garden with beautiful canalside views, perfect for Al fresco dining in the summer. Our lovely team are ready to welcome you and make your visit a memorable one!

＋ Add a route photograph Convenience Store close to the canal
Suggested highlights

Convenience Store close · the canal

4
Day four Anchor Inn to Audlem A long day today, if you wish to moor at Audlem for pubs, shops & other facilities. Or you can stop sooner next…
🧭 15 miles 🔒 22 locks ⏱ 9 hours

A long day today, if you wish to moor at Audlem for pubs, shops & other facilities. Or you can stop sooner next to open fields for a shorter day.

＋ Add a route photograph Anchor Inn to Audlem
Suggested highlights

Anchor Inn · Audlem

5
Day five Audlem to Nantwich Hidden deep in the Cheshire countryside, the bunker stayed secret for more than 50 years. Now the blast doors…

Hidden deep in the Cheshire countryside, the bunker stayed secret for more than 50 years. Now the blast doors are open and you can discover the labyrinth of rooms and authentic equipment used to run this defence region in the event of a National Emergency.

＋ Add a route photograph Audlem to Nantwich
Suggested highlights

Audlem · Nantwich

6
Day six 16th Century timbered town house. Open to view The fascinating history of one of Cheshire's most attractive and historic towns is brought to life by Nantwich…

The fascinating history of one of Cheshire's most attractive and historic towns is brought to life by Nantwich Museum.

＋ Add a route photograph 16th Century timbered town house. Open to view
Suggested highlights

16th Century timbered town house. Open · view

7
Day seven Nantwich to Chester 13th Century fortress scene of battle in time of Henry II and twice during Civil War

13th Century fortress scene of battle in time of Henry II and twice during Civil War

＋ Add a route photograph Nantwich to Chester
Suggested highlights

Nantwich · Chester

8
Day eight Large chain supermarket, right next to the canal Cruise this stage of the route from Large chain supermarket, right next to the canal at a comfortable pace,…

Cruise this stage of the route from Large chain supermarket, right next to the canal at a comfortable pace, choosing moorings to suit your crew and conditions.

＋ Add a route photograph Large chain supermarket, right next to the canal
Suggested highlights

Large chain supermarket, right next · the canal

9
Day nine Chester to Ellesmere Port A short day today, giving you some to explore Chester, or visiting Chester Zoo or the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum
🧭 9 miles 🔒 3 locks ⏱ 3 and 1/2 hours

A short day today, giving you some to explore Chester, or visiting Chester Zoo or the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

＋ Add a route photograph Chester to Ellesmere Port
Suggested highlights

Chester · Ellesmere Port

10
Day ten Ellesmere Port to Beeston Today sees you retrace your steps to begin your return journey to Autherley
🧭 18 miles 🔒 8 locks ⏱ 8 hours

Today sees you retrace your steps to begin your return journey to Autherley

＋ Add a route photograph Ellesmere Port to Beeston
Suggested highlights

Ellesmere Port · Beeston

11
Day eleven Beeston to Audlem Continue your return journey through the delightful Cheshire countryside
🧭 15 miles 🔒 9 locks ⏱ 8 hours

Continue your return journey through the delightful Cheshire countryside

＋ Add a route photograph Beeston to Audlem
Suggested highlights

Beeston · Audlem

12
Day twelve Audlem to Goldstone Wharf Bus StopChurchDentistOff LicencePubShopsTown / City
🧭 1 & 1/2 miles 🔒 0 locks ⏱ 30 minutes

Bus StopChurchDentistOff LicencePubShopsTown / City

＋ Add a route photograph Audlem to Goldstone Wharf
Suggested highlights

Audlem · Goldstone Wharf

Is this route right for you?

Historic 10/11-day Shropshire Union cruise

Cruise at your leisure through unspoilt countryside through picturesque villages and towns with the historic city of Chester or the boat museum at Ellesmere Port as your turning point, or Nantwich if you want a more leisurely trip.

ExperienceConfident crews
Holiday length10/11 nights recommended
Route styleOut-and-back
Activity levelActive
“

Cruise at your leisure through unspoilt countryside through picturesque villages and towns with the historic city of Chester or the boat museum at Ellesmere Port as your turning point, or Nantwich if you want a more leisurely trip.

NB Hire recommendation Historic 10/11-day Shropshire Union cruise
Helpful information

Before you set off

Is this suitable for first-time boaters?

This route is better suited to confident crews because of its cruising time, locks or longer daily stages. Always match the route to your crew’s confidence and the conditions during your holiday.

How long should we allow?

10/11 nights is the suggested holiday length for this route. The supplied guide lists about 67 cruising hours, 133 miles, 84 locks.

Can we change the suggested stops?

Yes. The stops are suggestions only. Adapt the itinerary around your own pace, preferred moorings, daylight, weather and canal conditions.

Should we check for stoppages?

Yes. Check current Canal & River Trust stoppages before choosing the route and again shortly before departure.

What are the main places on the route?

The suggested journey takes in Brewood, Anchor Inn, High Offley, Convenience Store close, canal, Anchor Inn, Audlem. The full itinerary above gives the stage-by-stage plan.

Ready to explore?

Find the right boat for Autherley to Chester / Ellesmere Port

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