See the character of the route change as you cruise from stop to stop.
Scenic 10/11-day cruise
Shropshire Union / Llangollen Canal
Still a beautiful route, unfortunately the canal past Wrenbury cannot be cruised due to a massive breach. You can no longer reach the Pontcysyllte aqueduct or Llangollen, making this a 10/11 day trip.
170Miles
98Locks
88Hours
10–11Nights
AUTHL
Shropshire Union / Llangollen Canal
Autherley Junction
Route at a glance
Shropshire Union / Llangollen Canal at a glance
Still a beautiful route, unfortunately the canal past Wrenbury cannot be cruised due to a massive breach. You can no longer reach the Pontcysyllte aqueduct or Llangollen, making this a 10/11 day trip.
170Miles
98Locks
88Hours
10–11Nights
NB HIRE
⚓ Autherley Junction base
This is a deliberately simplified journey graphic for holiday planning, not a navigation chart.
Use the itinerary below to plan comfortable cruising days for your crew.
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 DraytonAudlemNantwichWrenburyLlangollen
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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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Goldstone Wharf to Audlem
Suggested highlights
Goldstone Wharf · Audlem
5
Day five
Audlem to Burland visitor moorings
Today sees you turn onto the Llangollen canal and head towards Wales.
Today sees you turn onto the Llangollen canal and head towards Wales.
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Audlem to Burland visitor moorings
Suggested highlights
Audlem · Burland visitor moorings
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…
🧭 9 miles
🔒 9 locks
⏱ 5 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.
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16th Century timbered town house. Open to view
Suggested highlights
16th Century timbered town house. Open · view
7
Day seven
Burland Visitor moorings to Wrenbury
A short day today reaching the current limit of Navigation at Wrenbury due to the Breach in December 2025. It…
🧭 6 miles
🔒 5 locks
⏱ 5 hours
A short day today reaching the current limit of Navigation at Wrenbury due to the Breach in December 2025. It is essential you turn at
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Burland Visitor moorings to Wrenbury
Suggested highlights
Burland Visitor moorings · Wrenbury
8
Day eight
Wrenbury to Nantwich
Leaving the Llangollen canal today, you turn south onto the Shropshire Union Canal and head for a mooring on…
🧭 9 miles
🔒 9 locks
⏱ 5 and 1/2 hours
Leaving the Llangollen canal today, you turn south onto the Shropshire Union Canal and head for a mooring on the embankment, up above the market town of Nantwich.
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Wrenbury to Nantwich
Suggested highlights
Wrenbury · Nantwich
9
Day nine
Nantwich to Adderley
Continue South along the Shropshire union past Audlem to the visitor moorings at Hawksmoor, just below the…
🧭 8.5 miles
🔒 17 locks
⏱ 6 hours
Continue South along the Shropshire union past Audlem to the visitor moorings at Hawksmoor, just below the Adderley Lock flight
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Nantwich to Adderley
Suggested highlights
Nantwich · Adderley
10
Day ten
Adderley to Norbury Junction
The visitor moorings for the night are to the north, just before you reach the junction
🧭 14 & 1/2 miles
🔒 10 locks
⏱ 7 and 1/5 hours
The visitor moorings for the night are to the north, just before you reach the junction
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Adderley to Norbury Junction
Suggested highlights
Adderley · Norbury Junction
11
Day eleven
Norbury Junction to Pendeford
Your final full days cruising before handing your boat back tomorrow.
🧭 14 miles
🔒 1 locks
⏱ 6 hours
Your final full days cruising before handing your boat back tomorrow.
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Norbury Junction to Pendeford
Suggested highlights
Norbury Junction · Pendeford
12
Day twelve
Pendeford to Autherley
Only 1 & 1/2 miles back to the boatyard, allowing you to return your boat on time without having to get up too…
🧭 1 & 1/2 miles
🔒 0 locks
⏱ 30 minutes
Only 1 & 1/2 miles back to the boatyard, allowing you to return your boat on time without having to get up too early!
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Pendeford to Autherley
Suggested highlights
Pendeford · Autherley
Is this route right for you?
Scenic 10/11-day cruise
Still a beautiful route, unfortunately the canal past Wrenbury cannot be cruised due to a massive breach. You can no longer reach the Pontcysyllte aqueduct or Llangollen, making this a 10/11 day trip.
ExperienceConfident crews
Holiday length10/11 nights recommended
Route styleOut-and-back
Activity levelActive
“
Still a beautiful route, unfortunately the canal past Wrenbury cannot be cruised due to a massive breach. You can no longer reach the Pontcysyllte aqueduct or Llangollen, making this a 10/11 day trip.
NB Hire recommendation
Scenic 10/11-day 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 88 cruising hours, 170 miles, 98 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, Burland visitor moorings. The full itinerary above gives the stage-by-stage plan.
Ready to explore?
Find the right boat for Shropshire Union / Llangollen Canal
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