Canal boat holidays, Attractions in
Cheshire and the Welsh Borderlands

Ellesmere and Return

Ellesmere moorings

30 locks, 55 miles, 9.5 hours per day – 3 nights.

An outstandingly beautiful and peaceful cruise, taking you past the famous Meres to Ellesmere where there are ample moorings to enable you to explore the town. . . . Read more

Chester and Ellesmere Port

Chester & Return – 36 locks, 37 miles, 4 hours per day – 7 nights

Ellesmere Port & Return – 44 locks, 54 miles, 5.5 hrs. per day – 7 nights


A very scenic country route with well spaced locks. Visit the village of Bunbury, with its fine church of St. Boniface or Beeston with its ruined castle and popular market.

Chester moorings . . . Read more

Chester and Return

36 locks, 37 miles, 8.5 hours per day – 3 nights.

Another energetic route taking you to Chester’s city walls, where you can moor at Tower Warf. With your own floating hotel located next to the city center you can visit the attractions at your leisure. The walls encompass the city, providing a circular walk past the ancient buildings, Cathedral and shopping . . . Read more

Cheshire Ring

108 locks, 122 Miles, 8 hours per day – 10 nights.

A more strenuous voyage than the four counties ring, you start the Cheshire ring by turning left onto the Trent and Mersey Canal at Middlewich after first travelling through the Hurleston locks to Barbridge and then onto the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

From Middlewich you will enjoy stunning views . . . Read more

Four Counties Ring

Harcastle Tunnel - Southern end.

102 locks, 114 Miles, 7 hours per day – 10 nights.

This is a circular route of great contrast with plenty to see and do along the way. It is possible to complete the four counties ring in 10 days, however this leaves little time to visit places or to take an extra cruise along the Caldon Canal to Leek and Froghall . . . Read more

Anderton Boat Lift and Return

Middlewich Big Lock

24 locks, 30 miles, 6 hours per day – 3 nights.

A route of much contrast with an abundance of wildlife. The Anderton Boat Lift was re-opened in 2002 after extensive renovation and carries 2 boats at a time to the River Weaver below. A breathtaking look at 19th century engineering at its best.

This route can be taken in one of our . . . Read more

Llangollen and Return

Enjoy a relaxing canal boat cruise on board with Dragonfly Narrowboat Hire

34 locks, 80 miles, 6.5 hours per day – 7 nights.

Cruise to the home of the Welsh Dragon along
the route used by the historic Fly boats.

The Llangollen Canal is one of the most beautiful canals on the whole system; the gentle countryside of Cheshire and Shropshire is in sharp contrast to the dramatic scenery of Wales. There are two . . . Read more

Market Drayton and Return

The famous Shropie Fly pub

52 locks, 33 miles, 8 hours per day – 3 nights.

This is an energetic short break, taking in the historic towns of Nantwich and Audlem, with parts of the canal travelling across valleys on high embankments. Market Drayton still has its 750-year-old market on Wednesdays, many fine pubs, good moorings and is the home of the Gingerbread Man. . . . Read more

Dragonfly Narrowboat Hire
Tel. +44 (0) 1270 524340