Town of Nantwich
Nantwich Canal Boat Hire & Narrowboat Holidays
Enjoy a relaxing short-break canal holiday to the historic market town of Nantwich. Cruise the Shropshire Union Canal through the heart of the Cheshire countryside.
A Majestic Mini Cruise
Route at a Glance
14 (Return) Locks
Open-Air Cruising
3-4 Night Route
Featured Discovery
Nantwich Museum on Pillory Street.
Nantwich
If you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway, this lock-light journey to the medieval town of Nantwich offers an idyllic blend of relaxing cruising and rewarding sightseeing.
Leaving Middlewich by way of the tranquil Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal, your journey begins instantly immersed in nature. Designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, this rumbustious stretch of canal provides an elevated vantage point over the winding River Weaver, offering sweeping panoramic views that stretch all the way to Delamere Forest and the Peckforton Hills.
Before long, you will be gently meandering through an area full of Cheshire's famous 'black and white cows', which can often be seen grazing peacefully right up to the water's edge, until you reach the main line of the canal at Barbridge Junction.
Cruising to a Tudor Treasure
Arriving at Barbridge, a famously busy historic crossroads for canal traffic, you turn south along a beautifully wide and completely lock-free stretch of water. The octagonal tower of St Mary's church can soon be glimpsed across the rooftops from the high canal embankment, guiding you towards the famous 'black and white buildings' of Nantwich.
The charming market town offers excellent visitor moorings right in the canal basin. Once moored up, the canal provides a pretty green corridor to go for a gentle walk and spot the local wildlife, including heron, kingfishers, and returning swans. Walking into the town centre from the basin, the canal's aqueduct acts as a grand, historic gateway to welcome you into the town.
Stepping off the towpath, you will discover a beautifully preserved historic market hall and a high concentration of magnificent black-and-white half-timbered buildings, second only to Chester in the entire county. In medieval times, Nantwich was the chief salt-producing town in Cheshire, and its historic wealth is proudly reflected in its architecture.
Culture, Cricket & Cold War Secrets
Nantwich isn't just a museum piece; it is a thriving, vibrant community with fantastic boutique shops, traditional pubs like the 17th-century Black Lion, and highly-rated restaurants (including the spectacular 16th-century Churche's Mansion) waiting to be explored by hungry boaters. Throughout the year, it also plays host to internationally renowned events, such as the Jazz and Blues Festival and the mouth-watering Nantwich Food and Drink Festival.
If you fancy a short walk across the fields near Bridge 93 to the village of Acton, you can visit the gravestone of A. N. Hornby, the English cricket captain whose 1882 defeat to Australia birthed the sporting legend of 'The Ashes'.
For those fascinated by more recent history, a short cruise just a couple of miles south of Nantwich brings you to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. This formerly classified, 35,000-square-foot underground complex was built to survive a Cold War nuclear strike and now serves as a vast, immersive museum. After a day of exploring, you can return to the peace of your narrowboat, ready for a rejuvenating cruise back to Middlewich.
Nantwich Holiday Highlights:
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Historic Tudor Architecture: Explore one of the highest concentrations of magnificent black-and-white half-timbered buildings in the county.
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Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker: Step into the Cold War at this formerly classified underground bunker, located just a short cruise south of the town.
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The Aqueduct Portcullis: Moor in the historic canal basin and walk beneath the aqueduct directly into the medieval town centre.
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Birthplace of 'The Ashes': Take a short towpath walk to Acton to visit the grave of cricket captain A.N. Hornby.
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Vibrant Festivals: Time your trip to experience the world-class Jazz and Blues Festival or the renowned Nantwich Food Festival.
Cruising Time
3-night short break average cruising time per day:
Nantwich: 6 hours
Explore More Canal Routes
Looking for a different direction? See where else you can travel from Middlewich.
Important Route Updates
While our Middlewich base offers incredible access to the network, please note the following updates to some of our famous routes.
Great news, there is still an abundance to explore! Even when a 'Ring' is temporarily closed, you can enjoy magnificent out-and-back journeys along the open sections. The UK canal network is over 200 years old, so occasional maintenance 'hiccups' are to be expected. Please contact us for expert advice on tailoring an amazing adventure around them!
The Cheshire Ring
Expected to open again as a full ring next year. However, much of the route remains open and makes for a wonderful out-and-back holiday.
The Llangollen Canal
Currently closed due to a major breach, as seen in the national news. It is expected to reopen as a route next year and cannot be explored past the breach.
Planning Your Trip
The journey to Nantwich is a deeply relaxing short break out-and-back return route, allowing you to choose your own pace. But if you feel a little more energetic for your next holiday, we can suggest some 'rings' where you travel around a circular route to arrive back with us: the Cheshire Ring or the Four Counties Ring.
Please Remember: If you're planning to spend a day out and about off your boat (such as attending the Jazz and Blues Festival, exploring the Secret Nuclear Bunker, or walking to Acton), please make sure you factor this into your plans when working out the amount of cruising hours required to complete your holiday route.
Choosing Your Perfect Pace
We want you to love every moment of your journey. While our route guides provide suggested times based on a steady pace and ideal conditions, we always encourage you to plan your trip around your crew's unique comfort and abilities.
Since everyone's energy levels are different, you may find that choosing a longer duration, such as 14 nights instead of 7, allows you to reach your goals while keeping the adventure inclusive, relaxed, and truly enjoyable for everyone on board. For more detailed advice on planning a journey that is safe and inclusive for everyone, please visit our Accessibility Statement.
Captain's Note: Your holiday should always feel like a break, never a task! If you are unsure about the best route and duration for your specific crew, please get in touch for friendly, honest advice.
Download Your Digital Map
We suggest downloading the free Open Canal Map while you plan. It is a fantastic interactive tool for exploring routes, finding visitor moorings, water points, and local pubs along the towpath.
Boatyard Bonus: It's incredibly helpful for pinpointing your exact location on the canal network. If you ever need to call our team for advice or assistance during your holiday, you can tell us exactly where you are!
* Disclaimer: Open Canal Map is a third-party application. It is not affiliated with Andersen Boats and is downloaded and used entirely at your own discretion.
Pearson's Canal Companions
For the ultimate captain's preparation, we highly recommend picking up a copy of Pearson's Canal Companions. These legendary guides are the gold standard for boaters, packed with beautifully illustrated mile-by-mile maps, fascinating local history, and invaluable reviews of towpath pubs and eateries.
Four Counties & Cheshire Rings
Perfect for navigating the Cheshire Ring, Four Counties Ring, and our local Trent & Mersey routes.
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Welsh Waters (featuring the Llangollen Canal)
The essential guide for anyone heading down the Llangollen Canal or exploring the Shropshire Union.
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