Rata

Wow! What amazing information overnight, for me to pore over and consider. I will have to find a decent map of the canal and look at all your suggestions. We are slow travellers and would not want to spend long days boating, but a mix of sightseeing, walking etc as well, which is why we thought we'd take a fortnight. Have a little experience (4 day hire and 7 day hire), have mastered 'easy' locks, can both handle the boat and can both get through a 'crooked' tunnel without touching the sides, so can't be too bad!! Thank you all for taking the time to include your days, distances, hours and start/end points which is really useful. Have no doubt I will be back with more questions.

For two week hire, would that easily cover the whole canal? Is there a 'better' section, ie more interesting, nicer scenery, villages,places to see etc? I am thinking the Leeds end? Some hire places seem to be 'in the middle'. For our time, would that mean out one way and back, then the same in the other direction? Is this canal too ambitious for just a couple (I know there are some flights of locks, but thought if we had plenty of time ….)? Any info, advice, suggestions of points to start and finish, all welcome. Cheers AllBlack

Belated thanks to everyone who took the time to reply with some great suggestions, much appreciated. Having read your comments, we like the idea of taking two weeks for what is usually a one week route or ring. Also that whatever we choose, we need plan B & C! Especially with canal closures. On further research, really like the look of Leeds & Liverpool Canal, so I will post a separate thread with questions. Thanks AllBlack

We are a couple (50's/60's) looking at a fortnight hire sometime next summer, probably July. Would love any suggestions/advice/help on a possible area or canal system that might suit us. Prefer countryside to city, and would like to do a ring circuit or a one way trip. Not too many locks as will only be the two of us. Have previously done Preston Brook (Trent & Mersey) turning into Middlewich Canal and almost to Nantwich and return in a 45 foot boat (4 nights), then on another trip from New Zealand we travelled from Stone (Trent & Mersey) along Caldon Canal to Froghall and return in a 68 foot boat (that was interesting turning at the end!) over a week. Don't want to be chugging all day, we'd like to be able to have time to stop off and walk through villages or see things of interest (not necessarily well known). Many thanks for any recommendations.