Planning 3 week trip on 4 counties ring

[Mick in Bangkok]

Just planning a hire boat trip on the 4 counties Ring starting out at Stone with a detour up to Llangollen Wharf starting 29^th March next year. Canal Planner calculates 17 full days for this with 6 hrs. cruising per day so have 3 days in hand for lazy days and unplanned stops etc.

 

However, seeking advice on best/easiest direction of travel to have the best leg last.

Also, any recommendations for overnight moorings etc. would be appreciated.

Cheers Mick

[David Mack]

Worth adding in a detour up the Caldon Canal if you can make the time.

[Mick in Bangkok]

8 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Worth adding in a detour up the Caldon Canal if you can make the time.

I watched a couple of videos on this canal and the interesting bridges up there so will keep this in mind for the return trip to use remaining days

[Rob-M]

I would go anti clockwise so your last part of the trip is the Staffs and Worcs and then Trent & Mersey from Great Haywood to Stone, much nicer than the bit through Stoke.

[BEngo]

I agree.  It is defo a good idea to get Harecastle sorted early on, especially as it is likely to need booking and will only just be coming off winter hours at the end of March.  If going up the Caldon adjust timings accordingly.

 

Don't  miss the cherry scones in the Baker at Penkridge.

 Try and/or make time for a diversion  to Handsacre for Michael's Fish bar.  Be Hungry.  Be Very Hungry. Top notch fish and chips in industrial size  portions at a very fair price.

 

Gnosall is a nice place.

 

Brewood is good for shopping. Fish van Tuesday a.m.

 

N

[Rob-M]

You could probably fit in a couple of days to do the Montgomery as well.  We have just been down there, went down 9am one day and back up the next.  Stopped for a good Sunday roast at the Queen's Head on the way to Crickheath.

[Mick in Bangkok]

4 hours ago, Rob-M said:

You could probably fit in a couple of days to do the Montgomery as well.  We have just been down there, went down 9am one day and back up the next.  Stopped for a good Sunday roast at the Queen's Head on the way to Crickheath.

we will be exploring this canal while in the area for sure, 

[StephenA]

15 hours ago, Rob-M said:

You could probably fit in a couple of days to do the Montgomery as well.  We have just been down there, went down 9am one day and back up the next.  Stopped for a good Sunday roast at the Queen's Head on the way to Crickheath.

 

We went down early in the morning, stopped for lunch at the QH, then went to Crickheath and then back to QH for the night and then back up the locks the next morning. Just got to get the timing right as the QH isn't open every day.

 

 

The Badger at Church Minshull is worth a stop - there is a route across the fields to it rather than walking down the main road.

 

If you have time in hand then you could head to Chester - you can moor up a bit out of town and get the bus in.

Edited July 9, 2023 by StephenA

[cuthound]

5 hours ago, StephenA said:

If you have time in hand then you could head to Chester - you can moor up a bit out of town and get the bus in.

 

 

 

If the OP has time it is far better to boat into Chester. It is the nearest you will get to boating in the moat of a castle.

[StephenA]

1 hour ago, cuthound said:

 

If the OP has time it is far better to boat into Chester. It is the nearest you will get to boating in the moat of a castle.

 

True but those last few locks aren't really the nicest.