Rural 10/11-day adventure

Caldon Canal

One of the most beautiful canals, accessible on a 10/11 day varied and rural trip.

117Miles
96Locks
66Hours
10–11Nights
AUTHCAL
Caldon Canal Autherley Junction
Route at a glance

Caldon Canal at a glance

One of the most beautiful canals, accessible on a 10/11 day varied and rural trip.

117Miles
96Locks
66Hours
10–11Nights
Illustrated journeyAutherley → Autherley
Designed for clarity
NB HIRE
Autherley Penkridge Tixall Wide Stone Stoke Caldon Canal Autherley
⚓ 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.

AutherleyPenkridgeTixall WideStoneStokeCaldon CanalAutherley
1
Day one Autherley to Cross Green Start your journey and turn left out of Autherley, this section of the Staffs & Worcs Canal forms part of the…
🧭 3 miles 🔒 1 locks ⏱ 1 hours

Pick up boat at 2.30pm. After handover instructions turn left out of Autherley, this section of the Staffs & Worcs Canal forms part of the four counties ring. An hour and a half's cruising will bring you to Cross Green for your first night's stop.

＋ Add a route photograph Autherley to Cross Green
Suggested highlights

Autherley · Cross Green

2
Day two Cross Green to Stafford Today takes you further along the North Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal until you reach the outskirts of…
🧭 13 miles 🔒 11 locks ⏱ 2 hours

Today takes you further along the North Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal until you reach the outskirts of Stafford.

＋ Add a route photograph Cross Green to Stafford
Suggested highlights

Cross Green · Stafford

3
Day three Stafford to Stone Today's cruise takes you through the beautiful 'Tixall wide' section, past Shugborough Hall at Great Haywood…

Today's cruise takes you through the beautiful 'Tixall wide' section, past Shugborough Hall at Great Haywood junction where you join the Trent & Mersey canal and head north to Stone

＋ Add a route photograph Stafford to Stone
Suggested highlights

Stafford · Stone

4
Day four Traditional pub right next to the star lock A thriving freehouse in a carefully renovated Grade II listed building, close to the Trent & Mersey Canal.…
🧭 14 miles 🔒 5 locks ⏱ 7 hours

A thriving freehouse in a carefully renovated Grade II listed building, close to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Eight hand pumps serve ever-changing beers. There's also real cider on draught. Strictly adults only, dog friendly, and the pub does not serve food.

＋ Add a route photograph Traditional pub right next to the star lock
Suggested highlights

Traditional pub right next · the star lock

5
Day five Stone to Stoke-on-Trent Today takes you into the heart of Pottery country, passing the entrance to the Caldon Canal to moor for the…
🧭 10 miles 🔒 14 locks ⏱ 6 and 1/2 hours

Today takes you into the heart of Pottery country, passing the entrance to the Caldon Canal to moor for the night at the Etruria visitor moorings.

＋ Add a route photograph Stone to Stoke-on-Trent
Suggested highlights

Stone · Stoke-on-Trent

6
Day six Stoke-on-Trent to Leek Today sees your first day on the Caldon Canal, travelling all the way to it's northern terminus in Leek.
🧭 13 miles 🔒 9 locks ⏱ 7 and 1/4 hours

Today sees your first day on the Caldon Canal, travelling all the way to it's northern terminus in Leek.

＋ Add a route photograph Stoke-on-Trent to Leek
Suggested highlights

Stoke-on-Trent · Leek

7
Day seven Leek to Cheddleton via Froghall Today sees you retrace your steps to Hazelhurst junction and the southern branch of the Caldon Canal to…
🧭 15 miles 🔒 11 locks ⏱ 8 hours

Today sees you retrace your steps to Hazelhurst junction and the southern branch of the Caldon Canal to Froghall, returning in the afternoon to Cheddleton.

＋ Add a route photograph Leek to Cheddleton via Froghall
Suggested highlights

Leek · Cheddleton via Froghall

8
Day eight Cheddleton to Stoke-on-Trent Back along the Caldon Canal today to moor for the night at Stoke-on-Trent's Festival Park.
🧭 12 miles 🔒 14 locks ⏱ 8 hours

Back along the Caldon Canal today to moor for the night at Stoke-on-Trent's Festival Park.

＋ Add a route photograph Cheddleton to Stoke-on-Trent
Suggested highlights

Cheddleton · Stoke-on-Trent

9
Day nine Stoke-on-Trent to Stone Now heading back toward Autherley, today sees you head towards Stone
🧭 10 miles 🔒 14 locks ⏱ 6 and 1/2 hours

Now heading back toward Autherley, today sees you head towards Stone

＋ Add a route photograph Stoke-on-Trent to Stone
Suggested highlights

Stoke-on-Trent · Stone

10
Day ten Stone to Stafford Head south to Great Haywood junction, (home of Shugborough Hall) , then turn onto the Staffordshire &…
🧭 14 miles 🔒 5 locks ⏱ 7 hours

Head south to Great Haywood junction, (home of Shugborough Hall) , then turn onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal, through the beautiful 'Tixall Wide' to finish your day on the outskirts of Stafford.

＋ Add a route photograph Stone to Stafford
Suggested highlights

Stone · Stafford

11
Day eleven Stafford to Cross Green Wending your way back down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal brings you back to the Anchor in for your…
🧭 13 miles 🔒 11 locks ⏱ 7 and 1/2 hours

Wending your way back down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal brings you back to the Anchor in for your last night before returning the boat to base in the morning

＋ Add a route photograph Stafford to Cross Green
Suggested highlights

Stafford · Cross Green

12
Day twelve Cross Green to Autherley Pearson's Guide: Four Counties Ring Companion
🧭 3 miles 🔒 1 locks ⏱ 1 hours

Pearson's Guide: Four Counties Ring Companion

＋ Add a route photograph Cross Green to Autherley
Suggested highlights

Cross Green · Autherley

Is this route right for you?

Rural 10/11-day adventure

One of the most beautiful canals, accessible on a 10/11 day varied and rural trip.

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

One of the most beautiful canals, accessible on a 10/11 day varied and rural trip.

NB Hire recommendation Rural 10/11-day adventure
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 66 cruising hours, 117 miles, 96 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 Cross Green, Stafford, Stone, Traditional pub right next, star lock, Stoke-on-Trent. The full itinerary above gives the stage-by-stage plan.

Ready to explore?

Find the right boat for Caldon Canal

Choose a boat, check your dates and start planning your 10/11 nights adventure.