|
NARROWBOATS
WHY ARE NARROWBOATS NARROW & OTHER FACTS ON BARGING IN THE UK
There are 2,000 miles of canals in the UK, a system originally created for the transport of coal and other goods. Narrowboats were first horse-drawn or occasionally steam-powered, then were given diesel engines. When railways came into use, the canal system declined because trains were quicker. Now canals are being restored and boats are being used for canal holidays.
Traditional narrowboats, "trad" for short, have a cabin design that follows that of the old commercial canal boats. The rear deck is short, and the helmsperson stands there while steering. Sometimes there is a back cabin. The advantage of a trad-style narrowboat is that the helmsperson has a protected position against wet or cold weather and the heat from the engine warms his legs. Friends sit on the roof or in the bow. These are historical vessels with great character and give a feeling of ties to the past.
A cruiser-style narrowboat has a large flat rear deck which does not give as much protection, but is large enough for several people to sit together at the rear, a useful feature for families. A semi-traditional narrowboat has a large cruiser-style stern deck enclosed by cabin sides and doors.
Why are narrowboats narrow? Because the bulk of the canal locks in Great Britain were built just 7 ft. wide and 70 ft. long -- so that is the widest and longest the narrowboats can be. Newer canal locks were built 14 ft. wide, which allows wider boats or two narrowboats side by side.
How are narrowboats different from barges? Barges are wider than narrowboats. Narrowboats are typically from 40 to 70 ft. long and accommodate from 2 to 12 people. Some companies build bigger boats for fewer people so that two people could hire a 35 ft. two-berth narrowboat or a more expensive 55 ft. two-berth narrowboat. Be sure to make your choice clear when you book. Large groups can hire more than one boat and travel in tandem.
Narrowboats have private cabins, showers, and a fully equipped galley. They are heated, have diesel engines, and are easy to run. You do not need a captain's license, and you are given instructions, maps and notes on shoreside points of interest.
Boats can be hired for three, four or six nights. Prices typically include fuel and gas, so you just need to buy food. Sometimes there is a discount for extra weeks or if you are flexible on itinerary. Sometimes pets are allowed.
There are three main factors to consider in choosing your itinerary. Do you want a lot of sightseeing on shore or a maximum amount of time cruising? Do you want lots of 'locking' or not so much? Do you prefer a rural route or one passing through towns and cities? As you plan your route, estimate 15 minutes per mile and 15 minutes per lock.
POPULAR BOATS:
USK, DEE, ARUN, NENE, TRENT, TYNE, CALDER, AVON, HAMBLE, MEDINA, MEDWAY, DART, DERWENT, RIBBLE, SEVERN, ARROW, CLYDE
These are boats of the Viking-Afloat fleet with several bases throughout England, each with options of canals to explore. There are 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10-berth vessels.
MAPLE, WILLOW, OAK, HOLLY, POPLAR, SYCAMORE
These are part of the fleet of Middlewich Narrowboats, traditional boats that are 47 to 70 ft. long and include 6, 8, and 12-berth accommodations. They travel in the Middlewich area, along the Trent and Mersey Canal, Staffs and Worcs Canal, Caldon Canal, Chester Canal, Shropshire Union Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Ashton Canal, Rochdale Canal, Bridgewater Canal, among others.
DUKE & DUCHESS, HIND & HART, ROSE & CASTLE
These are hotel boats with crew that carry 9-11 passengers. They travel in pairs and travel together in the Midlands around Coventry, Milton Keynes and Warwick, on the Avon, Severn, Soar, Stort, Lee, Thames and Trent. Sometimes there are theme cruises on palaces and gardens, Shakespeare, architecture, battlefields, wine and ale.
POPULAR ITINERARIES:
The Four Counties Ring
A first day south along the Trent and Mersey Canal with 31 locks before you reach Kidsgrove and plunge into the 1 3/4 mile long Harecastle Tunnel. You pass the remains of old canalside potteries, down the Trent valley to Great Haywood. Visit can be made to the canalside Wedgwood Pottery. The route turns on to the meandering narrow Staffs and Worcs Canal, then on to Telford's Shropshire Union Canal, passing through villages, each with its own pub, then the Middlewich Branch and home.
Caldon Canal
Go to Etruria, then turn on to the Caldon Canal, climb the Stockton Brook locks. Past Hazelhurst Junction the canal becomes progressively narrower along the Churnet Valley. Superb scenery, stop at the little settlement of Consall Forge where there is a pub with no public road access. Do the 3 mile quiet, wooded and secluded Leek arm.
Chester and Ellesmere Port
Go to Barbridge, then on to the Chester Canal trough sheep-dotted, rolling countryside from Bunbury to Bates Mill dominated by the 13th Century Beeston Castle, then towards Chester, where you can moor under the Roman walls and within a stone's throw of the city. You continue past Chester Zoo and on to the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port.
Llangollen
Travel west along the quiet Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal to Barbridge Junction (4 1/2 hrs), then up Hurleston locks to Ellesmere, a market town surrounded by pretty lakes. After this the route starts to get increasingly hilly as you approach the Chirk Aqueduct and tunnel, reaching its climax in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 150 ft above the River Dee. Llangollen with many tourist attractions is shallow, narrow, scenic. Probably the most popular route in the country; be prepared for queues at holiday period.
Cheshire Ring
To Kidsgrove, then to the Macclesfield Canal. After climbing the Bosley Locks, the canal skirts the southern Pennines with views over the Cheshire Plain. At Marple a 4 hour diversion can be made to Whaley Bridge, or continue down the lock flight and over an aqueduct to the wooded Peak Forest Canal. The Ashton Canal (and industrial Manchester) starts at Dukinfield, down 16 locks and into the city centre where the Rochdale Canal goes through it. Leaving on the Bridgewater Canal, if time allows divert at Stretford to visit the Barton Swing Aqueduct and the original Worsley mines (4 hrs). Otherwise continue through the suburbs along wide lock-free waterway to Preston Brook and re-enter the Trent and Mersey Canal. On through rolling countryside, two more tunnels, past wooded valleys to Middlewich.
Leeds and Liverpool
To Stretford, then over the Barton Swing Aqueduct and past the Worsley mines. There is open countryside until Leigh where industry and the Leeds and Liverpool canal are met. After Wigan comes the wooded Douglas valley, then farmland. At Burscough the Rufford Branch leads off to the Mayor's Boatyard at Tarleton. Straight on leads to the City of Liverpool - a long trip for the enthusiast.
Minimum Lock Cruise
Designed for the less energetic boater, this is from Middlewich toward Manchester, to Nantwich, and return.
Other itineraries are on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, the Rivers Severn, Avon, and Thames. Itineraries can be matched to special interests such as palaces, gardens, literary, architecture, battlefields, ales, photography, wildlife.
To reserve a narrowboat in England or Wales, click here NARROWBOAT
|
|
