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Day

From/To

Miles

Time

Locks

  

Day 1.

Viking Afloat
(Whitchurch)

To
Platt Lane

Viking Afloat

To

Platt Lane

 

4

 

1.5 hrs

 

0 locks

The first afternoon involves a gentle cruise through the Shropshire countryside, passing under a few lift bridges. Your first night is spent at Bridge 43 (Platt Lane).

There is pub just down the lane. The Waggoners Inn (01948 880259)

Day 2.

Platt Lane

To

Chirk

Platt Lane

To
Ellesmere

to
Chirk

 

9

 

9

 

3 hrs

 

4 hrs

 

0 locks


2 locks

Just past your overnight mooring is a shop The Barn, which sells cakes and quiches as well as few groceries etc. It is open May - September (except Saturdays). The canal winds its peaceful way past Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses Nature Reserve, which is owned by English Nature. Lunch stop is Ellesmere, where you can also find a good range of shops. Moor up on the main canal rather than venture down the town's short arm. In the afternoon you continue past Frankton Junction (Montgomery Canal), via Hindford to Chirk. This leg of the trip takes you through the two locks at New Marton. Chirk has a wealth of pubs and restaurants, including an excellent Indian. The Chirk Tandoori (01691 774421). Chirk Castle is about a mile from the north end of Chirk Tunnel. (01691 777701).

Day 3

Chirk

To
Trevor

To
Hindford

Chirk

to
Trevor

To
Chirk

To
Hindford

 

4

4

3

 

2 hrs

2 hrs

2 hrs

 

0 locks

0 locks

2 locks

An early start will give you a bit of time at the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, but first you have Chirk's own substantial aqueduct to cross followed by a 450 metre tunnel! If it is busy at Pontcysyllte, you can turn round just before the aqueduct and take a walk across it to Trevor, but if you have time, take the boat over. Because of the need to return on time, you need to turn here and set out back ,via Chirk and New Marton Locks, to Hindford (Bridge 10). The pub here does excellent food and is well worth a visit! Jack Mytton (01691 679861)

Day 4.

Hindford

To

Viking Afloat
(Whitchurch)

Hindford

To

Viking Afloat

(Whitchurch)

 

 

19

 

 

6.5 hrs

 

 

0 locks

Last day so you need to continue the journey back to Whitchurch. Again Ellesmere can make a nice lunch stop. Many of our customers choose to cruise past the hire base and on down to Grindley Brook, where there is a flight of locks. Turn just before the locks and head back to the boatyard. You also have the opportunity if you still have any time, to venture down the Whitchurch Arm. There is a turning point in the arm! Finally you end up back where it all started and for your last evening you can stroll into Whitchurch town and sample any one of a dozen fine pubs and restaurants. The Horse & Jockey (01948 662723)

Day 5.

Viking Afloat
(Whitchurch)

Finish

 

 

 

Whatever you decide to do on the last night, you do have to be back at the boatyard by 9.00 am and to vacate the boat by 9.30 am.