Atlantic Coast Rachel

Thanks Alan. Netherton tunnel sounds good for us. I like the idea of their being the towpath to walk down and the kids will enjoy it being dark

Thanks for your help guys. I previously had a look at the canal planner and came up with the same route as adam1uk mentioned only travelling the other way round so that's really encouraging! I reckon I'll go with that plan in mind and then see how we go. Do you think its better going the Great Haywood way first then into Birmingham or doesn't it really make much difference? Thought then that we could take on the Bratch locks going down to Stourton junction then up through Netherton tunnel (or is the Wolverhampton section more fun?). Did fancy going through a long tunnel. Is Netherton tunnel a good one to try if we were ahead of schedule? I can only remember Harecastle tunnel from being a kid. Cheers

Used to go canalling every year as a kid and we always went at easter time. Though it was time I took my own family, kids now 14,12 and 10. This year we've found a good week's holiday at the end of July starting from Barton Turn on the Trent & Mersey. What I'm unsure about is if its much busier in the summer- should I assume we're going to be going more slowly and waiting a lot longer at the locks? Any advice appreciated and any route suggestions would be brilliant! We're looking to do some fairly energetic cruising along with some good pub eating, making an early start, mooring up for a late breakfast (smell of bacon wafting out onto the towpath...yum) Cheers, really looking forward to being on the canals again, some of my best childhood memories Rachel