Lancshoppy

OK we may be mad doing this in July, but we've never been to Llangollen so it's on the itinerary with a 69ft boat in the middle of next month. We expect to get to the basin on Thursday, spending the previous night somewhere around Chirk. I've read that the basin tends to be busier early in the week, so what do the experts think are the chances of mooring on a Thursday? Is there anyone you can call to find out before committing to the narrows, and if there's nowhere to moor, what are the options heading back towards Trevor. Any advice based on experience welcome. Thanks

Hope you enjoy it. We pick up on Saturday. I agree - lets try not to bump into anybody I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the Avon ring. It's not one I've done.

Went through Camp Hill and on up Ashted and Farmers Bridge last year with no problem. Never done Garrison.

Oops - yes. Got them the wrong way around didn't I.

Picking up from Alvechurch next weekend planning on going down to Worcester, up the river to Stourport, up Merry Hill and through the Netherton, back down Wolverhampton, up to Great Heywood, then Fradley and Fazeley before either up Aston and Farmers and back through Birmingham, or down Garrison and Catherine-de-Barnes and up Lapworth (depending on time). Looking for any information on water levels, weed amount, general condition of the canals at the moment please - the sort of stuff you get by travelling rather than from the CR stoppages website. Thanks in advance for any insider information.

Very sad. Enjoyed that week.

I used the bridge by the tunnel a few years ago, but last year it was closed off by a gate with a code lock

https://www.minervoiscruisers.com/info/index.php British style wide beams by the same people that own Napton Narrowboats

I agree with your experience of the Rochdale 9 and Manchester in general. Its the only place I've ever had serious prop foulling and they seem to have done as much as possible to make boats feel unwelcome through that stretch. However we really like Birmingham Centre and have traveled that way many times. Aston and Farmers aren't great locations but the locks are pretty easy. The moorings by the sealife centre are some of my favourites anywhere. It somehow feels really special to moor in the heart of such a big city. A run out through Dudley and Wolverhampton is a must at least once to see the clear water and the fish. Only place I know that the water is that clear. Don't be afraid to experience the old main line either. It's weed ridden and slow, but throttle back and take it steady. The Wolverhampton are a slog to be endured, but always seem to be quicker than expected. I'd recommend this way and restore your faith in city travel.

There's mooring for about 4 or 5 boats on the tow path side (museum side) which is protected by a gate locked with a waterways key, so you can exit and return anytime. The service block and waterpoint are on the opposite side, next to the museum shop and ticket office, and there's signed mooring space for a couple of boats there as well. During the day, when the museum is open, there's a foot bridge across the canal and gates out to the road on that side, but the bridge is swung back and the gates locked when the museum closes, so there's no way to exit, or get back to your boat if you've been to the pub / shop etc. After posting this, and complaining last year, I was told that they would look at signage to make it clear there was no access. I haven't been back since last summer so I don't know if anything happened. Good moorings and I'll go back. In fact might stop there next month, but was cross that the access limitation wasn't clear. I hope it has been sorted so it doesn't ruin anyone's holiday

Looking ahead a bit here, but if I'm coming from Stourport direction, and planning to visit the Seven Valley Railway for the day, where does anyone recommend to moor, and would you stay the night in the same place or plan the day to allow time to carry on further up the canal? Thinking about next summer. Thanks

Thanks for the update. By the time we realised, the DCT had gone, but it's good to know for the future. I'd still like to see a sign telling you to contact DCT when you moor there. I've had an acknowledgement from CRT saying they are looking into it.

Just emailed CRT today. They say I should see a response within 5 working days. Thought I'd give them a chance for their say before contacting BCLM

Ok - correction and clarification. Adjacent to the services, on the non tow path side, it is signed 48hr mooring by CRT. All the gates that access that side of the moorings are locked by BCLM with heavy duty combination padlocks, which suggests they own, or think they own, it. If they do CRT should not sign it as 48hr moorings. The tow path side is also signed 48 hr mooring, and access is via a gate locked with a water point key. There's no issue with this side, but there's no way to access the services side on foot. What is like to see is a CRT locked gate from the road to the services side moorings, but failing that, at least signage explaining the situation so no one gets trapped away from their boat.

Fair enough, you can stay on the moorings for a maximum of 24 hours, and the gates do not stop you driving your boat away, but there should be some indication that you can't leave your boat during the time you are moored there as you may found access to it blocked. It's not unusual to want to go for a meal, or the local Tesco, and expect to be able to return for the night. I don't know anywhere else that effectively locks you in outside office hours.