The Four Counties Ring

The Four Counties Ring comprises the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch), the Trent and Mersey Canal, The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal. The total distance is approximately 110 miles with 94 locks and 2 tunnels.

The major feature on this route is the Harecastle Tunnel. The tunnel is under the control of British Waterways and times of passage etc should be checked with them before starting off on this route.

The majority of hirers seem to go anti-clockwise on this route to put "Heartbreak Hill", as it was called by the working boaters, behind them. This section of 22 locks in 6 miles, will certainly improve your locking technique and give you a healthy appetite

The Four Counties can be done in a week but will require some 9 hours a day cruising time.

A rough cruising guide (assuming a Saturday to Saturday) booking would be:-

Saturday:- Handover and cruise down to Middlewich, and depending on time, an overnight stop in Middlewich or continue on and start Heartbreak Hill,

Sunday:- Complete Heartbreak Hill and on up to Harecastle Tunnel North Portal. (18 miles and 24 locks from Aqueduct)

Monday:- Through Harecastle Tunnel and down through Stoke on Trent into Stone.( 16 miles and 12 locks)

Tuesday:- From Stone onto the Staffs and Worcester at Great Haywood. Onto a night stop around Calf Heath.(15 miles and 13 locks)

Wednesday:- Onto the Shropshire Union at Autherley with an overnight stop at Plardiwick Bridge.(19 miles and 2 locks)

Thursday:- On towards Audlem, and the Audlem Flight. (17 miles and 10 locks to the top of the Audlem flight)

Friday:- Finish the Audlem flight and on then towards Barbridge and the Middlewich Branch.

Saturday Morning:- Back to Aqueduct and Home.(15 miles and 19 locks from the top of the Audlem flight)

Of course these timings are only approximate. Depending on progress on the first day and time of arrival at Harecastle it is possible you may be through the tunnel by Sunday evening making the rest of the cruise more relaxing.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us we are here to help .