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Duke No3
Hotel Narrowboats Ltd
2027 Cruise Guide
Cruise 1 - Northwich to Whaley Bridge
Date - 11th - 18th April
Route Details:
Miles - 66
Locks - 48
Canals/Rivers:
River Weaver (subject to Anderton Boat)
Trent and Mersey Canal
Macclesfield Canal
Peak Forest Canal
Highlights:
Anderton Boat Lift (if operating)
Bosley Locks
Harecastle Tunnel
Middleport Pottery
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Our starting point depends on the status of the Anderton Boat Lift, which is currently undergoing repairs scheduled for completion at the end of 2026. If the lift is operational, we will begin on the River Weaver and ascend to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Otherwise, we will start at the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Center.
We will follow the Trent & Mersey to Middlewich, where we begin our ascent up the "Cheshire Locks," commonly known as Heartbreak Hill. Before joining the Macclesfield Canal, we intend to continue to Middleport, passing through the Harecastle Tunnel. Here, guests may explore Middleport Pottery before we turn around and pass back through the tunnel.
We will then join the Macclesfield Canal heading north. For the next 27 miles, we will remain on this scenic canal, passing through charming villages and climbing the Bosley Locks. Please keep an eye out for the historic "snake bridges" along the way.
Upon reaching Marple Junction, we will turn right onto the Peak Forest Canal. For the remainder of the cruise, we will enjoy uninterrupted countryside views until we arrive at Bugsworth Basin.
Cruise 2 - Whaley Bridge to Stoke on Trent - Via Caldon Canal (Flint Mill)
Date - 20th - 27th April
Route Details:
70 Miles
45 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Peak Forest Canal
Macclesfield Canal
Trent and Mersey Canal
Caldon Canal
Highlights:
Bosley Locks
Bugsworth Basin
Harecastle Tunnel
Caldon Canal
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - After leaving Bugsworth Basin, we will continue along the Peak Forest Canal to Marple Junction. From there, we join the Macclesfield Canal to begin our journey south. This is a stunning stretch of water passing through several lovely villages; be sure to look out for the iconic "snake bridges" along the way.
We will then join the Trent and Mersey Canal at Hardings Wood Junction, located just before the entrance to the supposedly haunted Harecastle Tunnel. After passing through the tunnel, we continue toward Stoke-on-Trent and Etruria Junction, where you can see the statue of James Brindley and the Etruscan Bone and Flint Mill.
Upon joining the Caldon Canal, we will ascend a staircase lock and follow the contour of the land to the Stockton Brook Locks. After passing the junction for the Leek branch, we will continue a few more miles to Flint Mill. Due to the dimensions of the Duke No. 3, we will turn around at this point.
We will then retrace our route through the countryside back to Stoke-on-Trent. Depending on the remaining time, we may have the opportunity to cruise a small section of the Leek branch before concluding our journey at Festival Park Marina.
Cruise 3 - Stoke On Trent to Loughborough via National Arboretum
Date - 29th Apr - 6th May
Route Details:
69 Miles
49 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Trent and Mersey Canal
River Trent
River Soar
Highlights:
Etruria Junction
Tixel Wide
National Arboretum
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - After joining Duke No. 3 at Festival Park Marina, we will set off toward Etruria Junction, where you can see the statue of James Brindley. At our first locks, we begin our descent surrounded by historic canal buildings, including the Etruscan Bone and Flint Mill.
Leaving the city for the countryside, we pass the famous Wedgwood Pottery factory as we head toward Stone. This historic town served as the original headquarters for the Trent and Mersey Canal Co. Along the way, we also pass The Plume of Feathers, a pub owned by Neil Morrissey.
Returning to the countryside, we continue to Great Haywood and take a slight detour to see Tixall Wide. Back on the Trent and Mersey, we pass Rugeley and Armitage to reach Fradley Junction, where we meet the Coventry Canal.
Continuing our descent toward Alrewas, guests will have the opportunity to visit the National Memorial Arboretum. We then join a short section of the river reaching Barton-under-Needwood, followed by Burton-upon-Trent and Willington.
This scenic stretch offers plenty of countryside to enjoy before we join a section of the River Trent, eventually reaching the River Soar at Trent Lock. We will continue along the river until our journey concludes in Loughborough.
Cruise 4 - Loughborough to Warwick
Date - 5th - 13th May
Route Details:
85 Miles
77 Locks.
Canals/Rivers:
River Soar
River Trent
Trent and Mersey Canal
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Grand Union Canal
Highlights:
Shardlow Port
Burton on Trent
Fradley and Fazeley Junctions
Hatton Locks
Duration - 8 Nights
Cruise Details - Our journey begins at Loughborough Basin, where we will head north along the River Soar. Please be aware that the river is prone to flooding in inclement weather, so we will pass through several flood gates during this portion of the trip.
Upon reaching Trent Lock, a major junction, we will turn west onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. Our first stop is Shardlow, a historic inland port that remains largely unchanged. We may visit the small museum there if it is open. The remainder of our time on the Trent and Mersey Canal will feature a variety of built-up towns and small villages. You will also notice the influence of the railways as we cruise alongside the main line toward Fradley Junction.
At Fradley Junction, we will head south on the Coventry Canal before joining the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Fazeley Junction. This stretch begins with the Drayton Brick Bridge, a unique structure perfect for photographs. Over the next few miles, we will ascend through several locks, including the Curdworth flight.
As we reach the outskirts of Birmingham, the countryside will transition into an industrial landscape. We will catch a glimpse of the famous Spaghetti Junction as we join the Grand Union Canal. This industrial section offers a fascinating perspective before we reach Solihull. The scenery returns to open countryside once we arrive at Catherine-de-Barnes.
Next, we will navigate the Knowle Locks. These are the first modernised locks on the Grand Union Canal and represent a perfectly maintained flight with a rich history. Finally, we will tackle the Hatton Locks—a flight of 21 consecutive locks and a must-see for canal enthusiasts. We will arrive at the Saltisford Canal Trust shortly after completing the Hatton flight.
Cruise 5 - Warwick to Milton Keynes
Date - 21st - 28th June
Route Details:
65 Miles
60 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Grand Union Canal
Highlights:
Stockton Locks
Braunston Tunnel
Watford Locks
Blisworth Tunnel
Stoke Bruerne
Iron Trunk Aqueduct
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving the stunning Saltisford Canal Trust, we join the Grand Union Canal toward Leamington Spa. This lovely and varied stretch of the canal is sure to be enjoyable. We will remain on the Grand Union Canal—a popular route between Birmingham and London—for the duration of the cruise.
After crossing the Oxford Canal junctions, we arrive at Braunston, a historic destination and one of the most popular locations on the network. Leaving Braunston, we enter the Braunston Tunnel, notable for the fact that subsistence prevents you from seeing the light at the other end.
At Norton Junction, we will take a detour north to Crick. This journey includes transiting the stunning Watford Locks, a set of seven locks featuring a staircase. After turning around at Crick, we return to Norton Junction to begin our descent through Buckby Locks. Buckby is the village that gave its name to the iconic watering cans carried by boaters.
Next is Weedon Bec, a historic location once home to barracks due to its position as the furthest point from the coast. We continue south at Gayton Junction until we reach Blisworth Tunnel, one of the largest navigable tunnels on the network with a fascinating restoration history.
At the end of the tunnel, we arrive in Stoke Bruerne, a beautiful village where we can visit the canal museum if it is open. After passing the final lock at Cosgrove, we cross the River Ouse via the Great Ouse Aqueduct, also known as the Iron Trunk Aqueduct. Our journey concludes a few miles later as we arrive in Milton Keynes.
Cruise 6 - Milton Keynes to Peterborough
Date - 30th June - 7th July
Route Details:
85 Miles
62 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Grand Union Canal
Northampton Arm - Grand Union Canal
River Nene
Highlights:
Stoke Bruerne
Blisworth Tunnel
Northampton Arm
River Nene
Guillotine Locks
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Milton Keynes, we will head north and cross the River Ouse via the Great Ouse Aqueduct, also known as the Iron Trunk Aqueduct. Shortly after, we will reach Stoke Bruerne, where we can visit the local museum if it is open.
Our journey continues through the Blisworth Tunnel, one of the longest navigable tunnels, which has a fascinating restoration history. We will then contour through the countryside to Gayton Junction, where we will turn onto the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal and descend 14 locks toward Northampton.
At Northampton, we will transition from the Canal and River Trust waterways to Environment Agency waters as we venture on to the River Nene. This is new territory for the Duke No. 3, making it an exciting adventure for everyone. We are looking forward to exploring this river with you and experiencing its unique guillotine-style locks for the first time.
As we travel, we will pass many historic mills that have been converted into apartments. Our route will take us through Wellingborough, Wadenhoe, and Stibbington, finally concluding in Peterborough.
Cruise 7 - Peterborough to Wellingborough
Date - 8th - 16th July
Route Details:
48+ Miles
24+ Locks
Canals/Rivers:
River Nene
Fenland Waterways
Highlights:
Fenland Waterways
Duration - 8 Nights
Cruise Details - This is going to be an exciting cruise for everyone as we venture onto the Fenland Waterways. Since Duke No3 has never visited this area, we look forward to exploring these new waters together.
After a few days on the Fens, we will head back to Peterborough to join the River Nene. Traveling west along the river, we will eventually arrive at Wellingborough. This itinerary offers a wonderful mix of Fenlands and rivers, providing a great opportunity to explore unfamiliar territory.
As we don't know the area we're unsure of the walking opertunity, please be aware of this if you like to stroll along with the boat.
Cruise 8 - Wellingborough to Banbury
Date - 17th to 24th Jul
Route Details:
62 Miles
65 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
River Nene
Northampton Arm - Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal
Oxford South Canal
Highlights:
River Nene
Braunston
Oxford Canal Summit
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - We will depart Wellingborough on the River Nene and head toward Northampton. Along this stretch, you will experience unique guillotine locks and see many historic abandoned mills, most of which have been converted into luxury apartments.
At Northampton, we enter Canal and River Trust waters to join the Grand Union Canal. After rising through 14 locks, we reach the main line at Gayton Junction and turn right. We soon arrive at Weedon Bec, an interesting village featuring old barracks built in this location specifically because it was the town furthest from the coast.
Continuing through the Buckby Locks and the village of Buckby—the namesake of the water cans boaters carry on their roofs—we reach Norton Junction. Staying on the main line, we head toward Braunston and enter the Braunston Tunnel. Due to ground subsidence, the tunnel is misaligned, meaning you cannot see the light at the other end as you enter. We then pass the historic village of Braunston, a favorite for many boaters.
Five miles later, we reach the start of the South Oxford Canal at Napton; look for the windmill on the hill as we contour around it. We will rise 11 locks to the summit, passing buffalo with Napton behind us. The summit offers many miles of beautiful contouring canal where it occasionally feels as though the route doubles back on itself. While HS2 activity impacts one section, the scale of the engineering is impressive although currently an eye sore.
We will pass through the "tunnel that isn’t a tunnel" at Fenny Compton before beginning our descent toward Banbury. Prior to arriving in Banbury, we will travel through Cropredy, famous for the Fairport Convention festival.
Cruise 9 - Banbury to Stratford upon Avon
Date - 24th - 31st Aug
Route Details:
57 Miles
102 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Oxford South Canal
Grand Union Canal
Stratford South Canal
Hightlights:
Cropredy
Oxford South Canal Summit
Hatton Locks
Edstone Aqueduct
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - Setting off from Banbury by narrowboat and not a 'cock-horse' like the fine lady, our first destination is Cropredy, world-famous for the Fairport Convention festival and home to the moored Duke No. 1. From there, we ascend the Claydon Locks to the summit and continue toward Fenny Compton. We will pass through the "tunnel that is no longer a tunnel" before entering the stretch to Napton. This section is arguably the most winding contour canal in the network, offering miles of stunning views. While the HS2 crossing is a notable interruption to the countryside, the scale of the engineering is impressive.
After reaching the top of the Napton Locks, we begin our descent with Napton village in the distance. At the bottom lock, we continue around Napton Hill, where you can spot the windmill on the horizon. At Napton Junction, we join the Grand Union Canal for several days, passing through various villages, crossing the River Avon, and traveling through Leamington Spa before reaching Warwick.
From Cape Locks, we begin our ascent toward Kingswood Junction via the Hatton Locks. This flight of 21 locks was famously known by working boaters as the "stairway to heaven." At Kingswood Junction, we turn south onto the Stratford Canal. This picturesque route features unique "dome houses" and remains of its history under the National Trust, marked by plaques along the way. We will point out these unique features as we cruise toward our destination.
Before arriving in Stratford, we will cross the Edstone Aqueduct, England’s longest cast-iron aqueduct, and pass Wilmcote, the home of William Shakespeare’s mother. Finally, as we enter Bancroft Basin, expect a lively atmosphere filled with tourists and the legacy of William Shakespeare.
Cruise 10 - Stratford upon Avon to Stourbridge
Date - 2nd - 9th Sept
Route Details:
56 Miles
84 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Stratford South Canal
Stratford North Canal
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Dudley Canal
Stourbridge Canal
Highlights:
Edstone Aqueduct
Lapworth Locks
Gas Street Basin
Black Country Museum
Netherton Tunnel
Delph Locks
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - It is time to leave Stratford-upon-Avon behind as we head north on the Stratford Canal towards Birmingham. This is one of the prettiest routes on the network, featuring unique bridge styles, barrel-roofed cottages, and historic ironmongery. We will cross the Edstone Aqueduct, the longest cast-iron aqueduct in England, before ascending the 18 locks at Lapworth. This section has a rich restoration history that we will explore together on board.
From there, we join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, passing Bournville and the Cadbury factory. Arriving in Birmingham by boat is a unique experience, and you may be surprised by the beauty of the city's waterways. After passing Gas Street Basin, we will cruise through a landscape of old and new toward the Black Country Living Museum, where you will have time for a visit.
Our journey continues through the Netherton Tunnel—one of the newest tunnels on the system—onto the Dudley Canal. This area is famous for its chain-making heritage and derelict canalside warehouses. We will then navigate the unique Delph Locks; keep an eye out for the remains of the original locks in the undergrowth, a result of historic ground subsidence. Finally, we will pass old glass factories and kilns before reaching the Stourbridge Arm, where our journey concludes.
Cruise 11 - Stourbridg to Birmingham via Worcester and Tardebigge
Date - 11th - 18th Sept
Route Details:
58 Miles
80 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Stourbridge Canal
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal
River Severn
Worcester to Birmingham Canal
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Hightlights:
Stourport on Severn Basin
Worcester
Tardebigge Locks
Wast Hill Tunnel
Cadbury Factory
Duration - 7 Nights
Cruise Details - We will depart from Stourbridge Arm and briefly join the main line before reaching the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal at Stourton Locks. This beautiful waterway is one of James Brindley’s original "Grand Cross" canals and is home to diverse wildlife. A unique feature of this route is the sandstone through which much of the canal was cut; you will even see caves where boaters likely sought shelter in the past.
We will pass the charming villages of Kinver and Cookley before arriving in Kidderminster. While famous for its carpets, the town also features a stunning church that towers over the canal. Continuing back into the countryside, we will reach Stourport-on-Severn. This historic inland port, now a marina, connects the canal to the River Severn.
Here, we will descend onto the river via two sets of staircase locks and head downstream toward Worcester. We will pass through four large river locks and enjoy views of Worcester Cathedral before joining the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.
The journey to Birmingham involves a steady climb, which means navigating many locks and tunnels. After passing the Droitwich Canal junction, we will reach Tardebigge to tackle a flight of 31 consecutive locks. Once we reach the summit and our final lock, we will continue through the Tardebigge, Shortwood, and Wast Hill tunnels. Finally, we will pass the Cadbury Factory as we arrive in Birmingham.
Cruise 12 - Birmingham to Warwick
Date - 20th - 28th Sept
Route Details:
79 Miles
80 Locks
Canals/Rivers:
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Coventry Canal
Oxford North Canal
Grand Union Canal
Highlights:
Farmers Locks
Spaghetti Junction
Fradley and Fazeley Junctions
Oxford North Canal
Hawkesbury Junction
Braunston
Duration - 8 Nights
Cruise Details - Leaving Birmingham, we begin by descending Farmers Bridge Locks, where it is fascinating to see how the city is built over and around the canal. Continuing our route, we descend the Aston Locks before reaching Salford Junction. Here, you will see Spaghetti Junction to our left as we join the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. While the route remains industrial for a short period, it soon opens into beautiful countryside.
We will pass through Curdworth Locks and a few sporadic locks before reaching Fazeley Junction. At this point, we join the Coventry Canal and begin our ascent. The cruise follows the canal contours gently toward Atherstone, where we will rise through 11 locks to reach the summit.
Our journey continues to Hawkesbury Junction (also known as Sutton Stop), where we pass through a stop lock to join the North Oxford Canal. This canal is a real treat and leads us all the way to Braunston. Interestingly, this section was later straightened to speed up traffic due to competition, saving nearly 17 miles of travel. After passing Rugby, we will ascend three more locks at Hillmorton; these are particularly fascinating, and we will share more about their history on board. As we navigate these straight sections, you will see various remnants of the railways that eventually superseded the canals.
Upon reaching Braunston, we turn right onto the Grand Union Canal toward Warwick. After five miles of beautiful scenery, we reach our final junction at Napton. Having risen through many locks, it is now time to descend, beginning with the Calcutt Locks. On board, we will discuss the modernisation of this specific stretch of the canal.
Further locks follow at Stockton and Bascote, where we will experience a staircase lock. We continue through the lovely countryside until we reach Leamington Spa. Before Leamington Spa we will get a glimpse of HS2 where the new line will cross the canal. After a short stretch through this built-up area, we cover our final few miles toward Warwick, crossing over the River Avon. After completing the final two Cape Locks, we arrive at our destination, the Saltisford Canal Centre.