Which way out of Barton Turns Marina

[FiFiW]

Hi all, we are off again on our travels 1st week of June with Aqua boats this time all adults.  We like to cruise early 5-6 hrs a day and moor up early/mid afternoon and explore local villages and enjoy a few meals in canal or village pubs.  My question is which route is best for this - head towards Great Haywood, possibly onto Tixall or head towards Shardlow maybe on to where the T&M meets the Trent?  I look forward to any route suggestions, villages, places of interest, pubs etc.  I’ve been up and down this route many times as a kid with my parents but that was a very long time ago.  

[matty40s]

I would go down to Shardlow and maybe Beeston if the river is nice. Day in Nottingham and then head back.

[Rob-M]

I agree, head to Nottingham if the Trent is ok.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

2 hours ago, Rob-M said:

I agree, head to Nottingham if the Trent is ok.

If the Trent is not OK, head for Shardlow anyway, as the river section at Alrewas will be in flood too and you can get much further going to Shardlow. 

[FiFiW]

Ok Thank you.  My instinct was telling me Great Heywood but I think its just because I know it very well.  Has anyone tried AI for route stuff on canals - it’s scary impressive.  It also suggested Shardlow as being the better route for our plans but definitely thought I’d check here before planning it. I hadn’t considered Nottingham that’s a really great shout.  Nottingham was one of our childhood canal favourite places with others such as Market Drayton - outdoor pool, Great Haywood paddling in the river (when it wasn’t signposted not to), Nottingham - the castle before they closed it off but I believe has recently been renovated. It is nice to take a trip down memory lane whilst on our travels.