The Canal Boat Club

Duration: 7 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 26
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 32 HOURS (5 HOURS IN TOTAL)

Through Fazeley Junction, Atherstone, Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry and back – 7 nights – total locks 26 (13 x 2)

This cruise treads a rural route through nature reserves and pools left behind by industry. The canal winds gently through beautiful countryside, skirting the edges of nearby conurbations. You’ll hear stories of hard work and art work, mining and weaving, and a certain medieval legend.

 

Market Drayton & Return from Kings Orchard Marina

Duration: 7 - 10 Nights TOTAL LOCKS: 38 CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 8.5 OR 6 HOURS (57 TOTAL)

In a parallel world reflecting the evolution of transport, with unforgettable days full of tranquil drama and whimsy, your route will lead you under bridges, over aqueducts and through unusual canal cuttings. It will take you on a richly green tour that skims the distant outskirts of the urban Midlands before bursting into the tranquil haven of Shropshire countryside. 

 

The Birmingham Ring from Kings Orchard Marina

Duration: 7 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 79
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 7.5 HOURS (47 IN TOTAL)

A route with a mix of rural and urban, taking in parts of the Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. This Ring includes three tunnels, several aqueducts, and 79 locks - can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.

Your route swings from lock-free relaxation to energetic lock flights, from rural to urban, and contrasts the winding and straight routes by two of the greatest canal engineers. This is a journey of junctions – Fradley, Great Haywood, Aldersley, Salford, Fazeley - from the sprawling green territory of Cannock Chase to the historic canal basin in Birmingham city centre.

 

The East Midlands Ring from Kings Orchard Marina

Duration: 10 - 14 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 101
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 8 OR 6 HOURS PER DAY (78 HOURS IN TOTAL)

A varied route taking in the Coventry Canal, parts of the Oxford Canal, Grand Union Leicester Line, the River Soar, a short section of the River Trent and part of the Trent & Mersey Canal. This route includes five tunnels, several aqueducts, and 101 locks - can be done in 10 to 14 days depending on experience

 

The Four Counties & Black Country Ring from Kings Orchard Marina

Duration: 14 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 142
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 6 HOURS PER DAY (82 HOURS IN TOTAL)

The Four Counties Ring including The Black Country Ring (also known as the Birmingham Ring)

A mix of two popular cruising rings taking you through rural and urban surroundings, along parts of the Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Middlewich Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. This combination of two Rings includes five tunnels, numerous aqueducts, and 148 locks - can be done in 14 nights.

 

Warwick & return from Kings Orchard Marina

Duration: 7 Nights
TOTAL LOCKS: 102
CRUISING TIME PER DAY: 7.5 HOURS (48 HOURS IN TOTAL)

A cruise that sneaks past the surroundings of Birmingham, the capital of the canals, with the junctions of Fazeley, Salford, Bordesley offering a glimpse of the Industrial Revolution and ‘canal mania’. Energetic lock flights contrast with the peace and quiet of sweeping countryside and stunning views. This is a journey of trade, heritage and railways, with medieval tales and the resilience of nature.