Mega Trip! Lancaster to London

[Chagall]

There is a slight chance I might relocate to London. Im on the Lancaster now, Ive had minimal cruising experience, (no locks) and am single handed, with an elderly whippet.

 

I have no maps yet and so will have to research which I need. I do have the whole of the summer to do it and with no time limits. Its a newish boat and low engine hours so a good run would I presume be beneficial. (I would join RCR)

 

I know it depends on the person and how much they'd be up for the challenge but just out of interest how many would do it or just stick it on a truck?

 

and would somebody please guess an approximate route so I know which maps to buy and study?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[cobaltcodd]

The journey wouldn't be too difficult, but another problem would be to find a decent affordable mooring in London

[SuzyQ]

What a fantastic adventure you will have. And with no clock watching required too. Am very jealous! If it were me I'd take the most rambling route possible. Don't understand those who charge everywhere. The journey is always the fun bit, the arrival is just that. Have a fantastic time and make sure you blog your travels.

B-)

[Albion]

There is a slight chance I might relocate to London. Im on the Lancaster now, Ive had minimal cruising experience, (no locks) and am single handed, with an elderly whippet.

 

I have no maps yet and so will have to research which I need. I do have the whole of the summer to do it and with no time limits. Its a newish boat and low engine hours so a good run would I presume be beneficial. (I would join RCR)

 

I know it depends on the person and how much they'd be up for the challenge but just out of interest how many would do it or just stick it on a truck?

 

and would somebody please guess an approximate route so I know which maps to buy and study?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

We did the route from Skipton via the L&L westwards towards Wigan (where you would join coming off the Lanky), Leigh Branch, Bridgewater, T&M, Coventry, North Oxford, GU, out at Limehouse, Thames to Radcot, back to Beale Park and returning via the Southern Oxford in a fairly easy going 3 to 4 months with two of us on the boat so your trip should be do-able in your time frame. Your disadvantage is single handing and lack of experience but with care I see no reason why you couldn't do it. Single handing, personally, I would head to the Thames on the Southern Oxford rather than the GU as the smaller locks will be easier to deal with and then you can head downstream on the Thames and start to get used to the river at the narrower end before arriving in London. Depending where in London you wanted to go the only tidal bit that that route involves is the short stretch between Teddington and Brentford.

Roger

[haggis]

We did the route from Skipton via the L&L westwards towards Wigan (where you would join coming off the Lanky), Leigh Branch, Bridgewater, T&M, Coventry, North Oxford, GU, out at Limehouse, Thames to Radcot, back to Beale Park and returning via the Southern Oxford in a fairly easy going 3 to 4 months with two of us on the boat so your trip should be do-able in your time frame. Your disadvantage is single handing and lack of experience but with care I see no reason why you couldn't do it. Single handing, personally, I would head to the Thames on the Southern Oxford rather than the GU as the smaller locks will be easier to deal with and then you can head downstream on the Thames and start to get used to the river at the narrower end before arriving in London. Depending where in London you wanted to go the only tidal bit that that route involves is the short stretch between Teddington and Brentford.

Roger

 

and the Ribble link. If the boater is very inexperinced it might be worth while having someone along who has boated in tidal waters. If I was relatively inexperienced, I think it would worry me a lot doing the Ribble link on my own.

 

haggis

[Chagall]

We did the route from Skipton via the L&L westwards towards Wigan (where you would join coming off the Lanky), Leigh Branch, Bridgewater, T&M, Coventry, North Oxford, GU, out at Limehouse, Thames to Radcot, back to Beale Park and returning via the Southern Oxford in a fairly easy going 3 to 4 months with two of us on the boat so your trip should be do-able in your time frame. Your disadvantage is single handing and lack of experience but with care I see no reason why you couldn't do it. Single handing, personally, I would head to the Thames on the Southern Oxford rather than the GU as the smaller locks will be easier to deal with and then you can head downstream on the Thames and start to get used to the river at the narrower end before arriving in London. Depending where in London you wanted to go the only tidal bit that that route involves is the short stretch between Teddington and Brentford.

Roger

 

Thanks Roger, good and helpful advice super fast as always....much appreciated.

 

and the Ribble link. If the boater is very inexperinced it might be worth while having someone along who has boated in tidal waters. If I was relatively inexperienced, I think it would worry me a lot doing the Ribble link on my own.

 

haggis

 

I have somebody who will help me over the Ribble, and if indeed it does all happen Im hoping for a network of folk willing to assist here and there for the bits Im worried about.

 

Im supposing by the end I'd not be classed a novice anymore so it would be worth doing just for the experience.

 

but Yes....s'blimmin scary!

 

 

 

What a fantastic adventure you will have. And with no clock watching required too. Am very jealous! If it were me I'd take the most rambling route possible. Don't understand those who charge everywhere. The journey is always the fun bit, the arrival is just that. Have a fantastic time and make sure you blog your travels.

B-)

 

good idea to blog it, thanks.

[matty40s]

Thanks Roger, good and helpful advice super fast as always....much appreciated.

 

 

 

I have somebody who will help me over the Ribble, and if indeed it does all happen Im hoping for a network of folk willing to assist here and there for the bits Im worried about.

 

Im supposing by the end I'd not be classed a novice anymore so it would be worth doing just for the experience.

 

but Yes....s'blimmin scary!

 

What a fantastic opportunity, With no time limit, I would head South via the Shroppie, and nip up the Llangollen, then I would head down round the West side of Birmongham,to the Severn, do the Estuary run with a pilot, K&A and Thames.

[Nightwatch]

Do it. Without doubt, do it.

 

This strange green tint isn't envy, honest.

 

Martyn

[Arthur Brown]

Cruising is what boats are really for! It will be a great trip probably better in the company of another. I hope you have a place to moor in London and appreciate the cost of living in London

[Guest]

There is a slight chance I might relocate to London. Im on the Lancaster now, Ive had minimal cruising experience, (no locks) and am single handed, with an elderly whippet.

 

I have no maps yet and so will have to research which I need. I do have the whole of the summer to do it and with no time limits. Its a newish boat and low engine hours so a good run would I presume be beneficial. (I would join RCR)

 

I know it depends on the person and how much they'd be up for the challenge but just out of interest how many would do it or just stick it on a truck?

 

and would somebody please guess an approximate route so I know which maps to buy and study?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

To get an overall feel for the possible routes the Collins Waterways map is excellent for looking at the overview.

 

Once you have picked out the route you wish to take it allows you to see (using colour coding) which Nicholson's guide to buy.

 

I would also supplement this by using the Waterscape boaters guides

[Chagall]

To get an overall feel for the possible routes the Collins Waterways map is excellent for looking at the overview.

 

Once you have picked out the route you wish to take it allows you to see (using colour coding) which Nicholson's guide to buy.

 

I would also supplement this by using the Waterscape boaters guides

 

Great!...thanks. I was wondering which maps might be best, Nicholson's or Pearson's

 

I have Pearson's 'Pennine Waters' 'Welsh Waters' and 'Cheshire Ring'

[OldGoat]

I assume youy have a computer with a reasonable internet access - possible a printer was well?

 

So why not let "your finger (mouse) do the walking"? There's a lot on the web for free before you need to buy anything, and a bit of exploration would help you focus on what printed material you really need.

To get an overall picture, your first stop should be (clicky here) I did a route for you and the summary is 318 miles with 203 locks (most of which are broad - so try a different route!) in 23 days at 7 hours per day - but eminently do-able. That's not a helluva lot more than we (2) do in our annual pilgramage to the canal system...

 

CaRT do a plan of each waterway with the locks marked

Somewhere (CaRT as well) but there may be better - there is an overview of the system so that you know which canal is where.

A cheap copy of Microsoft's AutoRoute can be had from eBay or just do a google for a "naughty" version. It's got a GPS reader plugin so you can see where you are at any time on a laptop.

 

If you are going to save copies of the multitude search results, might I suggest you get a free PDF printer - save the document you might otherwise have printed to your PC - you can print the best ones later.

 

As you have oodles of time, It might be sensible to plan a route that takes in places to see-

Manchester

The Potteries

Birmingham

Oxford

Windsor

(and some others?)

 

If you choose a route via the Oxford canal (that will avoid a lot of broad locks - which ar tedious single handed), then the Thames is worth more than treating as a through route. That so it might bve worth converting your licence to a Gold which gives you accesxs to many EA waters for a (smallish-) increase to a CaRT licence. The trust will give you a credit for any unexpired proportion of you current licence. A Gold starts January 1st. so get your skates on if you take up my suggestion.

 

 

Now, what was your question?

[Chagall]

I assume youy have a computer with a reasonable internet access - possible a printer was well?

 

So why not let "your finger (mouse) do the walking"? There's a lot on the web for free before you need to buy anything, and a bit of exploration would help you focus on what printed material you really need.

To get an overall picture, your first stop should be (clicky here) I did a route for you and the summary is 318 miles with 203 locks (most of which are broad - so try a different route!) in 23 days at 7 hours per day - but eminently do-able. That's not a helluva lot more than we (2) do in our annual pilgramage to the canal system...

 

CaRT do a plan of each waterway with the locks marked

Somewhere (CaRT as well) but there may be better - there is an overview of the system so that you know which canal is where.

A cheap copy of Microsoft's AutoRoute can be had from eBay or just do a google for a "naughty" version. It's got a GPS reader plugin so you can see where you are at any time on a laptop.

 

If you are going to save copies of the multitude search results, might I suggest you get a free PDF printer - save the document you might otherwise have printed to your PC - you can print the best ones later.

 

As you have oodles of time, It might be sensible to plan a route that takes in places to see-

Manchester

The Potteries

Birmingham

Oxford

Windsor

(and some others?)

 

If you choose a route via the Oxford canal (that will avoid a lot of broad locks - which ar tedious single handed), then the Thames is worth more than treating as a through route. That so it might bve worth converting your licence to a Gold which gives you accesxs to many EA waters for a (smallish-) increase to a CaRT licence. The trust will give you a credit for any unexpired proportion of you current licence. A Gold starts January 1st. so get your skates on if you take up my suggestion.

 

 

Now, what was your question?

 

Brilliant!.... Yes I'd have researched all thoroughly if it does happen. Thanks for the tips.

 

I suppose I was looking for encouragement about the wisdom of doing it rather than taking the easy option of a truck.

[haggis]

Brilliant!.... Yes I'd have researched all thoroughly if it does happen. Thanks for the tips.

 

I suppose I was looking for encouragement about the wisdom of doing it rather than taking the easy option of a truck.

I am sure you wil have a fantastic trip and you will certainly not be a novice boater at the end!

 

haggis

[Chagall]

Do it. Without doubt, do it.

 

This strange green tint isn't envy, honest.

 

Martyn

 

thanks for the encouragement...

 

I am sure you wil have a fantastic trip and you will certainly not be a novice boater at the end!

 

haggis

 

and a less shiny boat....

[Cazzy72]

Just thought I would let you know. A residential mooring along the Limehouse Link went for £12,200+ two weeks ago!!

[Chagall]

Just thought I would let you know. A residential mooring along the Limehouse Link went for £12,200+ two weeks ago!!

 

Yikes!

[junior]

Good luck on your travels, I am very jelous.

[tillergirl]

might share a lock or two on your travels. We heading in the same direction - we just the other side of the Ribble link.

[Dr Bradley]

I'm booked on the Lancaster for much of April, returning south on the 28th. You'd be welcome to cruise south with me but I don't think you'd like my route.

[Chagall]

Thanks for all the advice and offers of help everybody, its looking unlikely now that it will happen, which is a shame because I was beginning to get excited about the idea!...

 

but at least I'd have been well prepared. ....and if it suddenly is all on again you can be sure I will be back here.