Classic 10/11-day canal ring

Four Counties Ring

With 94 locks, this popular route takes canal boat holiday-makers through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire.

110Miles
94Locks
65Hours
10–11Nights
AUTHFCR
Four Counties Ring Autherley Junction
Route at a glance

Four Counties Ring at a glance

With 94 locks, this popular route takes canal boat holiday-makers through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire.

110Miles
94Locks
65Hours
10–11Nights
Illustrated journeyAutherley → Autherley
Designed for clarity
NB HIRE
Autherley Brewood Market Drayton Audlem Nantwich Stone Great Haywood 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.

AutherleyBrewoodMarket DraytonAudlemNantwichStoneGreat HaywoodAutherley
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 Goldstone Wharf A small village in Staffordshire, England about 9 miles (14 km) south west of Stafford.

A small village in Staffordshire, England about 9 miles (14 km) south west of Stafford.

＋ Add a route photograph Brewood to Goldstone Wharf
Suggested highlights

Brewood · Goldstone Wharf

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…
🧭 18 miles 🔒 1 locks ⏱ 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 Goldstone Wharf to Audlem Lots of locks today, but you are rewarded by a delightful stop in the Shropshire Village of Audlem
🧭 10 miles 🔒 23 locks ⏱ 8 hours

Lots of locks today, but you are rewarded by a delightful stop in the Shropshire Village of Audlem

＋ Add a route photograph Goldstone Wharf to Audlem
Suggested highlights

Goldstone Wharf · Audlem

5
Day five Audlem to Church Minshull 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 Church Minshull
Suggested highlights

Audlem · Church Minshull

6
Day six 16th Century timbered town house. Open to view Churche's Mansion was built in 1577 for a wealthy merchant and remains in wonderful condition with many…
🧭 14 miles 🔒 5 locks ⏱ 6 and 1/2 hours

Churche's Mansion was built in 1577 for a wealthy merchant and remains in wonderful condition with many original features. It is Grade I Listed, with a wealth of history to enjoy both inside and out. It is very rare for a merchant's house to have survived in such original condition for over 430 years.

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

16th Century timbered town house. Open · view

7
Day seven Church Minshull to Sandbach Passing through the town of Middlewich today, your mooring for the night is at the 'Rookery Moorings' on the…
🧭 10 miles 🔒 7 locks ⏱ 5 hours

Passing through the town of Middlewich today, your mooring for the night is at the 'Rookery Moorings' on the outskirts of Sandbach.

＋ Add a route photograph Church Minshull to Sandbach
Suggested highlights

Church Minshull · Sandbach

8
Day eight Sandbach to Thurlwood Today takes you up 14 of the 25 locks of the renowned "Heartbreak Hill", or Cheshire Flight, with the rest to…

Today takes you up 14 of the 25 locks of the renowned "Heartbreak Hill", or Cheshire Flight, with the rest to follow tomorrow

＋ Add a route photograph Sandbach to Thurlwood
Suggested highlights

Sandbach · Thurlwood

9
Day nine Handy convenience store close to the canal Authentic, Creative Indian Cuisine. An extensive menu featuring a variety of delectable dishes.
🧭 5 & 1/2 miles 🔒 14 locks ⏱ 5 hours

Authentic, Creative Indian Cuisine. An extensive menu featuring a variety of delectable dishes.

＋ Add a route photograph Handy convenience store close to the canal
Suggested highlights

Handy convenience store close · the canal

10
Day ten Thurlwood to Stoke-on-Trent Today sees you complete the Cheshire Flight, head through the 1.6 mile Harecastle Tunnel to finish at the…

Today sees you complete the Cheshire Flight, head through the 1.6 mile Harecastle Tunnel to finish at the Festival Park moorings in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent

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

Thurlwood · Stoke-on-Trent

11
Day eleven Large chain supermarket next to the canal Welcome to the home of Real Ale, great food and friendly people! Come and warm by our log fire, and don't…
🧭 8 miles 🔒 12 locks ⏱ 7 hours

Welcome to the home of Real Ale, great food and friendly people! Come and warm by our log fire, and don't forget to bring your beloved furry friends!

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

Large chain supermarket next · the canal

12
Day twelve 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

Is this route right for you?

Classic 10/11-day canal ring

With 94 locks, this popular route takes canal boat holiday-makers through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire.

ExperienceConfident crews
Holiday length10/11 nights recommended
Route styleCircular
Activity levelActive
“

With 94 locks, this popular route takes canal boat holiday-makers through the counties of Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Cheshire and Shropshire.

NB Hire recommendation Classic 10/11-day canal ring
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 65 cruising hours, 110 miles, 94 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, Goldstone Wharf, Convenience Store close, canal, Audlem, Church Minshull. The full itinerary above gives the stage-by-stage plan.

Ready to explore?

Find the right boat for Four Counties Ring

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