Barge Hire - The Best Bits
THE BEST BITS AND THE HI LIGHTS OF A BARGE HIRE HOLIDAY
Booking a barge hire holiday can lead you to some wonderful places and whatever your expectations you will not be disappointed. Cross breathtaking aqueducts or take your barge through a tunnel that's over 3 miles long!
With the help of your crew navigate your barge through the biggest flight of locks on the canal system or be raised in the air by a boat lift. Be prepared to be amazed at the feats of engineering and the spectacular places you will find on your barge holiday.
Although the magnificent sights and the places you may have the opportunity to visit are far to numerous to mention here are a selection of some of our favourites.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct One of the most amazing feats of engineering to be found on the canal system. Opened in 1805 and built by Thomas Telford and William Jessopthe Aqueduct is on the Llangollen Canal and spans 1000 feet over the beautiful Dee Valley. At 125 feet high when you pass over this in your barge you have the feeling of being suspended in mid air. The Pontcysyllte has the worthy accolade of becoming a World Heritage site which puts it on a par with the Great Barrier Reef and Statue of Liberty.
Chirk AqueductThe aqueduct at Chirk, also on the Llangollen canal, is smaller that the mighty Pontcysyllte aqueduct but nether the less still impressive. As you pass over in your barge you will be in the shadows of the Chirk Railway Viaduct that runs along side.
Anderton Boat LiftSituated on the banks of the River Weaver in Cheshire and built by Edwin Clarke in 1875 this Lift is known as the cathedral of the canals. After complete restoration it was re opened in 2002 and now lifts barges 50 feet from the Trent and Mersey canal to the River Weaver and vice versa.
The Falkirk WheelA magnificent structure and achievement in engineering and connects the Forth and Clyde to the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel lifts barges for an amazing 115 feet! from one canal to the other.
The Harecastle Tunnel Situated on the Trent and Mersey Canal take your barge through here if you dare! At only one and a half miles long the tunnel has a reputation not for the longest, deepest or widest but for being the most haunted. It is thought to be haunted by a young woman whose headless corpse was found here.
Standedge Tunnel At 3.5 miles long and on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal this tunnel is the longest of them all. As it burrows its way through the Pennines it can also claims to be the highest and the deepest.
Saltersford Tunnel A kink in this tunnel is the result of the builders or “navvies” not quite meeting in the middle. At 1,3000 long this tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal is also reputed to be haunted. Boatmen of old who knew of the legend would not take their barges through the tunnel alone and would rather make a long detour.
Tardebigge Locks A challenge for you and your crew as you navigate your barge through the longest flight of on the canal system. On the Worcester and Birmingham canal the30 locks raise the canal for over 220 feet and are spread over 2 miles.
Foxton Flight Set on the Grand Union Canal this is a popular tourist attraction and is always busy with visitors who sit and watch the colourful barges pass by. Take your barge through the ten locks of this staircase locks and pass as you go the Foxton Inclined Plane.
Hatton Locks Known as the Stairway to Heaven theses locks are on the Grand Union Canal and are a challenge to any barge crew. The 21 locks at Hatton are set in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside with Warwick Castle only a stones throw away.
Tuel Lock Located on the newly restored Rochdale Canal this lock is the deepest lock in the UK. With a fall of 19 feet and 8 ½ inches the locks have a complicated system and therefore there is a lock keeper nearby assist your passage.
Stoke Bruerne Reputed to be the prettiest canal village in Britain and not to be missed if you are cruising on the Grand Union Canal.
Birmingham Moor up with the other pretty barges at Gas Street Basin and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Britain's second city. Birmingham is a fantastic place to shop and boasts countless canal side pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy afternoon tea, a pint of real ale or a romantic dinner
Bath Walk in the footsteps of the Romans at the World Heritage Site of Bath. A fascinating city in the beautiful Somerset countryside which is steeped in history. In addition to the Roman Bath House and the Georgian architecture it offers a huge selections of stylish shops, buzzing bars and trendy restaurants.
Worcester The beautiful city of Worcester lies on an idyllic position on the banks of the River Severn. This cathedral city is unique as it mixes a blend of heritage, natural beauty with the cosmopolitan city centre.