Four Counties Ring

[krip2454]

We will be attempting the Four Counties Ring starting from The Black Prince boatyard on the 21st June. We are experienced narrow boaters, but would appreciate any advice on the Ring please.

[haggis]

Presumably it is Black prince in Stoke and not the one at Acton Bridge. My inclination would be to go down the Cheshire locks and up Audlem as this makes it easier. I find walking uphill doing the Cheshire locks hard work 🙂 

 

[cornishdave]

1 hour ago, haggis said:

Presumably it is Black prince in Stoke and not the one at Acton Bridge. My inclination would be to go down the Cheshire locks and up Audlem as this makes it easier. I find walking uphill doing the Cheshire locks hard work 🙂 

 

That is the direction we did it in.  All good, but watch the tyrley lock entrances as the bywash is fierce on a couple and can push you to the far side. Plus I think at least one of the pounds at Tyrley you can't get to the side so need to set the next lock before editing the previous 

[NB Saturn]

19 minutes ago, cornishdave said:

That is the direction we did it in.  All good, but watch the tyrley lock entrances as the bywash is fierce on a couple and can push you to the far side. Plus I think at least one of the pounds at Tyrley you can't get to the side so need to set the next lock before editing the previous 

 

Bottom lock at Tyrley - we find if there is enough water in the pound above it to get into the side then the boat will be firmly sitting on the bottom when you’ve filled the lock. Only an issue going down obv.

[krip2454]

1 hour ago, haggis said:

Presumably it is Black prince in Stoke and not the one at Acton Bridge. My inclination would be to go down the Cheshire locks and up Audlem as this makes it easier. I find walking uphill doing the Cheshire locks hard work 🙂 

 

Yes, it is Black Prince. Thanks for the advice 🙂

25 minutes ago, cornishdave said:

That is the direction we did it in.  All good, but watch the tyrley lock entrances as the bywash is fierce on a couple and can push you to the far side. Plus I think at least one of the pounds at Tyrley you can't get to the side so need to set the next lock before editing the previous 

Thanks for that 👍🙂

5 minutes ago, NB Saturn said:

 

Bottom lock at Tyrley - we find if there is enough water in the pound above it to get into the side then the boat will be firmly sitting on the bottom when you’ve filled the lock. Only an issue going down obv.

Cheers 🙂👍

[Richard T]

I would go downhill to Middlewich.

Don't forget to stop at Nantwich for the good shops - its worth the walk to the town centre.

Stop at Penkridge for Jaspers bakery - cakes to die for.

[krip2454]

3 hours ago, Richard T said:

I would go downhill to Middlewich.

Don't forget to stop at Nantwich for the good shops - its worth the walk to the town centre.

Stop at Penkridge for Jaspers bakery - cakes to die for.

That sounds inviting. Thanks for the info. 😊

[Kingdom Isambard Brunel]

Barlaston is a good quiet mooring with shops nearby.

Get to the tunnel the night before for a speedy start in the morning, the south end is a good safe mooring, the north is noisy with trains and you need to go south  a bit to the park where its OK below lock 41.

[agg221]

How long have you got for the trip? It can be done comfortably in a week with an experienced crew, or it can be a leisurely extended cruise. That determines to an extent what flexibility you have over mooring.

 

Audlem is good for mooring above locks 14, 13 and 12. Market Drayton is the next mooring with facilities and several nice places to eat. Brewood is good, with either the pub by the bridge or, slightly more upmarket, the Staffordshire Grill. Mooring at Autherley, just onto the Staffs & Worcs, is fine. There is a Morrisons within walking distance.

 

Seriously recommend mooring at Tixall Wide if your itinerary allows - one of my favourite places to stop.

 

Alec

[Jonny P]

Just enjoy it. There’s some fabulous canal involved.

 

Reading this thread has made me realise that although I’ve done the Cheshire locks numerous times it’s only ever been in the downhill direction.

 

But they are a wonderful canal location and I’m sure that applies in either direction.

[agg221]

2 minutes ago, Jonny P said:

Reading this thread has made me realise that although I’ve done the Cheshire locks numerous times it’s only ever been in the downhill direction.

One of the pleasures of doing the Cheshire locks in the uphill direction if the timing is right is getting to The Red Bull for a brief stop before heading to the tunnel. It's at just that point where you have done enough locks and the end is in sight. I'm not sure using your boat in the lock as an extension of their beer garden is strictly legitimate, but no boats were coming...!

 

Alec

[David Mack]

On 02/06/2025 at 19:11, agg221 said:

Seriously recommend mooring at Tixall Wide if your itinerary allows - one of my favourite places to stop.

Seriously recommend looping the loop or doing a figure-of-eight in Tixall Wide - just because you can!

[midnight cowboy]

On 02/06/2025 at 11:42, cornishdave said:

That is the direction we did it in.  All good, but watch the tyrley lock entrances as the bywash is fierce on a couple and can push you to the far side. Plus I think at least one of the pounds at Tyrley you can't get to the side so need to set the next lock before editing the previous 

Yes - keep away from the towpath just above tyrley 5 when descending from 4 or you will easily get stuck on a sandstone shelf which is unmarked.

[krip2454]

On 02/06/2025 at 19:03, Kingdom Isambard Brunel said:

Barlaston is a good quiet mooring with shops nearby.

Get to the tunnel the night before for a speedy start in the morning, the south end is a good safe mooring, the north is noisy with trains and you need to go south  a bit to the park where its OK below lock 41.

Thank you 😊

17 minutes ago, midnight cowboy said:

Yes - keep away from the towpath just above tyrley 5 when descending from 4 or you will easily get stuck on a sandstone shelf which is unmarked.

Thank you 😊

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

Seriously recommend looping the loop or doing a figure-of-eight in Tixall Wide - just because you can!

Cheers 😊👍

On 02/06/2025 at 19:44, agg221 said:

One of the pleasures of doing the Cheshire locks in the uphill direction if the timing is right is getting to The Red Bull for a brief stop before heading to the tunnel. It's at just that point where you have done enough locks and the end is in sight. I'm not sure using your boat in the lock as an extension of their beer garden is strictly legitimate, but no boats were coming...!

 

Alec

Cheers for that Alec. Wise words 😆

On 02/06/2025 at 19:13, Jonny P said:

Just enjoy it. There’s some fabulous canal involved.

 

Reading this thread has made me realise that although I’ve done the Cheshire locks numerous times it’s only ever been in the downhill direction.

 

But they are a wonderful canal location and I’m sure that applies in either direction.

👍

On 02/06/2025 at 19:11, agg221 said:

How long have you got for the trip? It can be done comfortably in a week with an experienced crew, or it can be a leisurely extended cruise. That determines to an extent what flexibility you have over mooring.

 

Audlem is good for mooring above locks 14, 13 and 12. Market Drayton is the next mooring with facilities and several nice places to eat. Brewood is good, with either the pub by the bridge or, slightly more upmarket, the Staffordshire Grill. Mooring at Autherley, just onto the Staffs & Worcs, is fine. There is a Morrisons within walking distance.

 

Seriously recommend mooring at Tixall Wide if your itinerary allows - one of my favourite places to stop.

 

Alec

We've got a fortnight. So leisurely cruise it is. 👍😊

[cornishdave]

Depending how your timings work out, try not to be at Red Bull lock on a sunny Sunday afternoon, pub is right at the edge of the lock so a good audience drastically increasing the chances of stuffing something up 😂

[Victor Vectis]

IMHO the Blue Bell, nearer the junction, is a much nicer pub.

[Kingdom Isambard Brunel]

1 hour ago, Victor Vectis said:

IMHO the Blue Bell, nearer the junction, is a much nicer pub.

And its a Robinsons house, so decent ales.  The food there is good too.

[IanD]

2 hours ago, Kingdom Isambard Brunel said:

And its a Robinsons house, so decent ales.  The food there is good too.

IIRC the Blue Bell is a free house, mostly local microbrewery beers -- didn't have any Robbos last time I was there, or food...

 

Are you thinking of the Red Bull?

Edited June 4 by IanD

[Philip]

Neither direction is easier or harder than the other; Cheshire locks perhaps easier going downhill, but likewise the Shropshire Union locks are maybe easier going downhill because you can just power past the by-washes, without having to concentrate on the lock approach.

 

It's better to decide based on where you'd like to be on particular days.

[Annie cariad]

Took a month first time we did this soo enjoyable done it in both directions no preference it's a great ring ENJOY

[Lister68]

Are the restrictions off on Heartbreak Hill? 

[Rob-M]

Nothing currently showing on CRT stoppages.

[Alway Swilby]

On 08/06/2025 at 13:53, Lister68 said:

Are the restrictions off on Heartbreak Hill? 

The Cheshire Locks? Yes. No restrictions at the moment.

[junior]

Try and factor into you journey times/overnight stops, the Kings Lock Chippy in Middlewich for the best fish and chips on the 4CR, and the bakery in Penkridge who's name escapes me now. 

 

I used to work the fuel boat around the 4CR and have been round it more times than I care to remember. 

 

Overnight moorings to avoid are anywhere in Stoke other than Westport Lake or Festival Park at a push, and anywhere half a mile either side of Autherley Junction. Other than that I would consider anywhere fair game for moorings. Obviously there's places that are not desirabile for practically reasons.

 

If you like mooring in peaceful isolated places where you'll have no noise or light intrusions I can give you a couple of recommendations, or if you like to moor in civilization there's options for almost every night. 

[agg221]

27 minutes ago, junior said:

Try and factor into you journey times/overnight stops, the Kings Lock Chippy in Middlewich for the best fish and chips on the 4CR, and the bakery in Penkridge who's name escapes me now. 

 

I used to work the fuel boat around the 4CR and have been round it more times than I care to remember. 

 

Overnight moorings to avoid are anywhere in Stoke other than Westport Lake or Festival Park at a push, and anywhere half a mile either side of Autherley Junction. Other than that I would consider anywhere fair game for moorings. Obviously there's places that are not desirabile for practically reasons.

 

If you like mooring in peaceful isolated places where you'll have no noise or light intrusions I can give you a couple of recommendations, or if you like to moor in civilization there's options for almost every night. 

We moor overnight quite regularly at Autherley Junction itself and have never had any problems and it always seems reasonably popular to moor there - have we just been lucky or is it just away from the junction you regard as a problem? I wouldn't want to go up from it though, until you get to Wolverhampton Boat Club (which iis fine) but actually once we've got that far we always feel we might as well go up to Brewood which is quiet, very pleasant and has a range of options for pubs, including food. On the upmarket side but we really like The Staffordshire Grill - serves food much later than most places these days.

 

In Stoke on Trent, given that you have a fortnight, if you are making good progress and feel so inclined then with a fortnight you have plenty of time to take in the Caldon too, or at least as much of it as is open. It's one of my favourite canals. We have moored in Hanley Park twice - very quiet at night, contrary to our expectations - and at Hazelhurst Junction and walked down to The Holly Bush. The run up to Leek doesn't take long from there.

 

Alec

Edited Monday at 20:51 by agg221