Enjoy the enforced relaxation while drifting along at no more than 4 miles per hour and the cameraderie of meeting other boaters.
Experience the friendliness of the locals when you tie up at the pub for a drink or a meal.

A holiday of contrasts, taken at a slow pace. The variety is endless, city, town, village and country. Every bend in the canal brings forth some new delight, every mile some new feature. You can never see it all, no matter how many times you return.

But why worry? Narrowboat holidays are for relaxation, for unwinding from everyday pressures, for doing what you like, when you like. With us you have the choice of six bases each with their own unique routes to help you discover a little more of this beautiful country.

Canal holidays are fun - whether with a family or friends, you can choose an easy relaxing route or a holiday of adventure and exploration. Remember that canal boats have always been homes. In the days before motorways and railways, they were the main method of transport, with whole families living in boats while earning their living.

Time moves on and, sadly, commercial boats have all but disappeared, but the heritage has been preserved and enhanced by our modern boats which bring you all the comforts of home. We design and build many styles to suit the differing requirements of our customers.

BLACK PRINCE BASES

Falkirk   |   Stoke Prior   |  Stoke on Trent   |   Chirk   |  Acton Bridge   |   Napton

FALKIRK Falkirk, Edinburgh & Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is 115 feet high - the equivalent height of eight double decker buses. It is 115 feet wide and 100 feet long. The wheel will lift loads of 600 tonnes (300 at each end) - the approximate weight of 11 adult African elephants. The structure stands in a 330 feet wide circular basin with moorings for over 20 boats. Before redevelopment, the site was a deep open cast pit left behind by mining, which ended in the early 1980s. Prior to that the site was the home of Scottish Tar, producing various tar-related products. The total project cost was approximately £17 million and work took 22 months. The wheel is designed to last for at least the next 120 years.

The first wheel-based boat lift was proposed by a German engineer at the beginning of the last century, though it was never built. The Falkirk Wheel is the world's first rotating boat lift and the first boat lift to be built in Britain since the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire, which dates from 1875.

Suggested Routes from Falkirk

1. Falkirk to Edinburgh  
68 Miles, 6 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

Cruise out of our base at Falkirk, through the Falkirk Wheel ,passing high above the town as you approach the Falkirk lnterchange and head towards Edinburgh. Travel on the lock free Union Canal, passing over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct. Then on through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho, the home of the Edinburgh Canal Centre. Then retrace your steps back to Falkirk, descending the Wheel back to the start base.

2. Falkirk to Edinburgh& Glasgow  
118 Miles, 14 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

Based at the Falkirk Wheel, mid-way between Glasgow and Edinburgh, our base provides the ideal start point to visit both cities. Heading to Edinburgh, you go up through the Wheel and travel on the lock free Union Canal, passing over the magnificent Almond Aqueduct. Then on through the villages of Linlithgow and Ratho, the home of the Edinburgh Canal Centre. From Edinburgh, you then head back towards Falkirk and Glasgow, descending the Wheel and joining the Forth and Clyde with it's locks and swing bridges. Travel through splendid scenery and villages such as Auchinstarry and Kirkintillock, to Cadder Village and on into Glasgow. Then retrace your steps back to Falkirk.

Falkirk provides countless places of interest to visit. Scotland's Roman heritage is never far away as the Forth & Clyde Canal carries the boats through splendid scenery to Kirkintilloch, then on to Cadder Village and into Glasgow. The arm to Port Dundas affords views over the city and features many historic buildings, including some of those designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

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STOKE PRIOR Worcester & Birmingham Canal        Click here for larger image of cruise routes map (see Opposite)

Situated in a lovely spot, close to both the M5 and M42, Stoke Prior is the base for those who want a more active holiday, being at bottom of the Tardebigge flight of locks. It is a base of contrasts, with routes taking in the rivers Severn and Avon, as well as a number of different canals. Equally it covers beautiful countryside as well as such cities as Birmingham and Worcester. Several rings can be completed from here, with the Stourport Ring being the most popular, as well as a large number of other routes.

Suggested Routes from Stoke Prior

1. Stourport Ring   
83 Miles, 118 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

Leaving Stoke Prior, you encounter the Tardebigge flight, after which there is lock free cruising to Gas Street Basin and the International Convention Centre via the very pleasant University, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. Cutting through Netherton Tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal you encounter some beautiful countryside leading to the Severn at Stourport. At Worcester you leave the Severn, and climb gently back to Stoke Prior through open countryside. An easy week. Top

2. Gloucester and REturn  
84 Miles, 52 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

A leisurely trip southwards to Worcester, where you join the River Severn to Tewkesbury. The River, widening all the time, joins up with the Avon to take you to the old port of Gloucester. Newly restored, the old Victorian dock buildings have been converted to offices and also houses the national Waterways Museum. Beyond Gloucester you can visit the Wildlife and Wetlands Centre at Slimbridge. An interesting and varied trip encompassing rivers and canals, town and country.

3. Avon Ring    
109 Miles, 129 Locks, 2 Week Cruise

Starting up the Tardebigge flight, you join the North Stafford Canal at Kings Norton, and on to the South Stratford Canal, where the canal character changes with split bridges and 'barrel-roofed' cottages. At Stratford you can moor opposite the theatre before joining the River Avon. The Avon, different again, meanders down to Tewkesbury, through Evesham, where you join the River Severn for a short trip up to Worcester, before returning home. Avon licence required. An easy two week trip.

4. Warwickshire Ring   
129 Miles, 189 Locks, 2 Week Cruise

Up the Tardebigge flight to the North Stafford at Kings Norton, you continue to the Grand Union. Traveling south, you progress through the Hatton flight, via Warwick and Leamington Spa to Napton and Braunston. From Braunston, you travel the Oxford & Coventry (perhaps taking in the Ashby or Coventry itself) to Fazely, and then head into the centre of Birmingham via Farmers Bridge locks. Homing down the Worcester and Birmingham via Tardebigge. A more strenuous fortnight.

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STOKE ON TRENT Trent & Mersey    Click here for larger image of cruise routes map (see Opposite)

Situated on the redeveloped National Garden Festival site, home of the industrial potteries, and host to some of the most fabulous scenery on Britain's waterways is what makes this one of the most popular Black Prince starting points.

There is a variety of routes available from this marina, with the Cheshire Ring and the Four Counties Ring being the most popular. You can exchange the contrasting landscapes of the Potteries, Royal Doulton, Cheddleton Mill and Wedgewood industries for the peace and tranquility of the Llangollen Canal. What better way to experience the hidden delights that this unique journey has to offer.

Suggested Routes from Stoke - on - Trent

1. Caldon & Leek Canals   
43 Miles, 34 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

An easy week down on one of the most beautiful and quiet canals of them all. From the junction near the marina, you progress up some locks to the outskirts of Stoke via factories and parks. Here you encounter progressively more picturesque countryside as you enter the Churnet Valley. The Leek branch contains no locks from the junction, whereas the Froghall branch descends to the River Churnet. If time permits a trip down the Trent and Mersey to Stone is well worthwhile.

2. Four Counties Ring   
110 Miles, 94 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

More strenuous, you travel southwards from the Marina past the Wedgewood factory through the canal town of Stone to Great Haywood, where you meet the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Traveling westwards you join the Shropshire Union at Autherley. 'The Shroppie' with its impressive architecture, banks and cuttings, carries you northwards to the Middlewich Arm. At Middlewich you rejoin the Trent and Mersey which carries you back to Stoke through a number of locks and the Harecastle Tunnel.

3. Cheshire Ring   
102 Miles, 93 Locks, 1 Week Cruise

More strenuous at around eight hours per day, the Cheshire Ring is one of contrasts. Traveling northwards over the Bridgewater Canal, lock-free to Manchester, where the city is currently being restored. After this into the Peak District on the Macclesfield Canal, with the small towns built of stone. Just north of Stoke you meet the Trent and Mersey, and travel through the many locks to Middlewich and its history of salt, and home.

4. East Midlands Ring
230 Miles, 151 Locks, 2 Week Cruise

South from the base through Stone and Great Haywood and the canalised River Soar to Leicester. After Leicester you encounter the famous Foxton Flight and pass through undulating countryside to Norton and Braunston Junctions. Turning northwards towards Rugby and Coventry, the canal takes a more direct route with cuttings and embankments to Fazeley and Fradley and home. Most of this route is very rural and quiet.

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CHIRK North Wales & Llangollen Canal Click here for larger image of cruise routes map (see Opposite)

Based on the breathtaking canal in North Wales, our lovely marina is situated on the site of the new Chirk Golf & Country Club (where all customers become automatic members). The Llangollen Canal unarguable has a lot to offer both first time and regular holidaymakers. It meanders gracefully through the beautiful countryside where the world famous "stream in the sky" - the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct spans the Dee Valley, such a feat of engineering is sure to snatch your breath away!

Perhaps you would like to visit the walled City of Chester. Another first that Black Prince Holidays are proud to announce is the opportunity to cruise the Montgomery Canal from the national canal network, very recently reopened to boats for the first time in over fifty years, a one and a half mile length of canal has now been restored, and has been officially opened, giving you the chance to be one of the first to cruise this once dormant sleepy waterway.

Suggested Routes from Chirk

1. Llangollen and Whitchurch   
57 Miles, 4 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
A very pleasant and easy route. Traveling first to Llangollen you cross the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 120 feet above the River Dee. After this the canal perches on the side of the lovely Dee Valley up to Llangollen itself. Retracing your steps you encounter the more robust Chirk Aqueduct and through to the lovely small town of Ellesmere after encountering the only two locks on your trip. After Ellesmere you travel through the Shropshire Lake District with its meres to the market town of Whitchurch.

2. Llangollen Canal   
88 Miles, 42 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
About 40 hours. A trip along the full length of this lovely canal. Traveling towards Hurleston you cross the Chirk Aqueduct and down the first two locks. After passing Ellesmere and its lakes, you come to the less hilly Whixall Moss to Whitchurch. After this, undulating countryside sprinkled with locks takes you down to Hurleston with its reservoir, which provides water for Chester. Retracing your steps cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, and up the Dee Valley to Llangollen. A delightful week.

3. Chester and Return   
115 Miles, 70 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
An arduous route, you should not be disappointed if you do not reach Chester. Traveling down the canal you go through the towns of Ellesmere and Whitchurch to Grindley Brook with its three locks in a staircase. From here the locks become more frequent taking you down through lovely country to the Shropshire Union at Hurleston. The rural atmosphere continues through to Chester. You should remember that the Llangollen flows so it will take longer to return, and a visit to Llangollen itself is also well worthwhile.

4. Four Counties Ring   
188 Miles, 136 Locks, 2 Week Cruise
For the more experienced crew. Travel down the Llangollen to Hurleston where you join the Shropshire Union and travel southwards through small towns and villages to join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire. This is a more meandering canal still traveling through pretty countryside up to Great Haywood. Here you join the Trent and Mersey and travel towards the more built up area of Stoke. Continuing up to Middlewich through a series of locks, you take the Middlewich Arm to Barbridge, and back via Llangollen.

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ACTION BRIDGE Canals of North West England     Click here for larger image of cruise routes map (see Opposite)

Based near Northwich, Acton Bridge is a good starting point for a number of routes. Travelling north, you meet the canal where it all started - the Bridgewater canal, which takes you lock free to Manchester. From there you can travel to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, or continue on the Cheshire Ring via the Peak Forest and Macclesfield. Apart from Manchester itself, currently being cleaned up, this is a beautiful route with constantly changing scenery. South of base you can travel the Four Counties Ring, or meander up to Chester and beyond to the Ellesmere Port boat museum.

Suggested Routes from Action Bridge

1. Wigan & Return   
84 Miles, 6 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
A very pleasant and easy run with many miles of lock free cruising. Leaving the base you travel onto the first British canal built by the Duke of Bridgewater to transport coal to Manchester. On this you can see some mine entrances, together with the later Barton Swing Bridgeover the Manchester Ship Canal, where the whole canal is swung to let large ships through. At Wigan the Pier Museum, and the Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine (the world's largest) are well worth a visit.

2. Chester & Return   
96 Miles, 42 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
A slightly more vigorous route, but still easily manageable at about five hours per day, this trip includes varying canals and countryside. Traveling southwards past the old salt mines to Middlewich you turn onto the Middlewich Arm to join up with the shropshire Union. The trip up to the medieval City of Chester is particularly pleasant with the canal built next to the old city walls. You should also have time to visit the boat museum at Ellesmere Port.

3. Cheshire Ring   
102 Miles, 93 Locks, 1 Week Cruise
More strenuous at around eight hours per day, the Cheshire Ring is one of contrasts. Traveling northwards over the Bridgewater Canal, lock-free to Manchester, where the city is currently being restored. After this into the Peak District on the Macclesfield Canal, with the small towns built of stone. Just north of Stoke you meet the Trent and Mersey, and travel through the many locks to Middlewich and its history of salt, and home. .

4. Four Counties Ring   
150 Miles, 119 Locks, 2 Week Cruise
A relaxing fortnight, you travel southwards to Stoke on Trent via Middlewich. Passing through the red-watered Harecastle Tunnel ( the result of local iron workings), and continuing down past the Wedgewood Factory to Stone and Great Haywood, you join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Just north of Wolverhampton, you meet the Shropshire Union with its extravagant cuttings and embankments, which carries you up to Barbridge and the Middlewich Arm. If time permits a diversion along the Caldon is well worthwhile.

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NAPTON North Oxford Canal   Click here for larger image of cruise routes map (see Opposite)

Ideally situated at the head of the North Oxford Canal, Napton is an ideal base for a large number of interesting routes. The circular route if the Warwickshire Ring is ideal for the more energetic and has the contrasts of beautiful countryside around Warwick, then industry near Birmingham and Spaghetti Junction. Out and back trips of beauty and interest can also be achieved, including Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford, Snarestone, or a visit to the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, depending on the number of locks you wish to negotiate Top

Suggested Routes from Napton

1. Snarestone and Return
102 Miles, 8 Locks, 1 Week Cruise   

An easy route for the first timer with only a few locks through rural England. Leaving the broad Grand Union Canal at the busy canal junction of Braunston, you turn up the North Oxford Canal into narrow locks by Rugby at Hilmorton, where the British Waterways Architectural Unit is based.

At Hawkesbury you encounter the lock with the smallest lift on the system at 6 inches. The lock free Ashby is a very quiet rural canal which is extremely peaceful with few boats to disturb you.

2. Stoke Bruerne and Northampton
66 Miles, 58 Locks, 1 Week Cruise   

Another pleasant and easy route cruising on the broad Grand Union Canal where the locks are 14 feet wide, allowing you to share the work with another boat. The start of this trip contains no locks until you get to Braunston Junction - a hive of activity.

Cruising onwards you encounter more locks and turnings to Northampton before entering the 3,056 yards Blisworth Tunnel which opens out into the canal village of Stoke Bruerne with its Waterways Museum.

3. Oxford and Return
98 Miles, 76 Locks, 1 Week Cruise  

A busier week of 9 hours cruising a day. Down the meandering Oxford canal which is one of the oldest in the country and follows the contours of the land, which makes you wonder whether you are getting anywhere. The only town on the way is Banbury, but there are some lovely villages mainly towards the bottom end, such as Thrupp, Lower Heyford and Shipton-on-Cherwell, with stone built houses, cosy pubs, ancient churches and village greens.

4. Warwickshire Ring
103 Miles, 118 Locks, 2 Week Cruise   
Sometimes known as the Midlands Ring, this is a route of contrasts. Starting on the wide locks of the Grand Union, through various locks to the Hatton Flight, you can either divert up the North Stratford to the centre of Birmingham, or carry on up the Grand Union to rejoin near the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Heading out on the narrow canals to Fazeley, you return southwards past Coventry. Diversions into Coventry, Stratford, or up the Ashby should be considered. Don't forget to allow extra time for this.