Chester

This relaxed and varied hire-boat route takes you from Swanley Marina directly onto the Shropshire Union Canal, heading north towards the historic city of Chester. It’s a great choice for a long weekend or week-long holiday, combining countryside cruising, impressive canal engineering, and vibrant destinations.

Leaving Swanley Marina, you’ll immediately head for the Hurleston Flight, descending the four Hurleston Locks from Swanley onto the Shropshire Union Canal main line. Once through the locks, the canal opens out into classic “Shroppie” cruising — long, straight embankments and cuttings with wide views across the surrounding countryside.

Cruising north, the route passes through quiet rural stretches and attractive villages before reaching Chester, where visitor moorings are conveniently located close to the city centre. Chester is rich in history, with its Roman walls, cathedral, shops, pubs, cafés, and riverside walks — a highlight of any canal holiday.

The journey to Chester makes it ideal for hire crews who want plenty of relaxed cruising without lots of lock work. Most crews complete the trip in 3–4 days, with time to enjoy stops along the way.

– Optional Extension: Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

For an easy and worthwhile extra journey, continue beyond Chester to Ellesmere Port on the Shropshire Union Canal. This lock-free stretch of around 12 miles is perfect for a gentle cruising day and leads directly to the National Waterways Museum.

Moorings are available at the museum itself, allowing you to step straight into one of the UK’s most important canal heritage sites, with historic boats, docks, exhibitions, and cafés — a memorable addition to your boating holiday.