Trevor Hotels

Black Prince Narrowboat Holidays: Float Across

Obviously the best way to experience the canal is on a canal boat. And canal boats are like floating mobile homes. Canal boats have always been homes. In the old days, whole families lived aboard boats while earning their living by transporting goods (before the days of reasonable roads).

The Black Prince company has a headquarters in Chirk. This would be the best place to experience the canal. We couldn't do it because we only had a long weekend which wasn't long enough to get to the aqueduct and back to the headquarters, plus Chirk was too far away from our daughter's home.

We had a comfortable weekend at another location on a similar boat.

Unique Quality: They say that all of their boats have quiet water cooled engines, full central heating, airing cupboards, showers or small baths, modern flushing macerator toilets, cookers fridges, colour TV, radio, CD players, and interchangeable beds allowing either two single or one double bed. The double beds are normally 6' 3" by 4' 0" and the singles 6' 3" by 2' 0". All have interior sprung mattresses.

A narrowboat that sleeps 4 is £965 to 1,150 for a week in July.

From the Black Prince website - some suggested routes:

1. LLANGOLLEN AND WHITCHURCH
57 Miles, 4 Locks, 1 Week Cruise (GREEN ROUTE)
A very pleasant and easy route. Traveling first to Llangollen you cross the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct 120 feet above the River Dee. After this the canal perches on the side of the lovely Dee Valley up to Llangollen itself. Retracing your steps you encounter the more robust Chirk Aqueduct and through to the lovely small town of Ellesmere after encountering the only two locks on your trip. After Ellesmere you travel through the Shropshire Lake District with its meres to the market town of Whitchurch.

2. LLANGOLLEN CANAL
88 Miles, 42 Locks, 1 Week Cruise (RED ROUTE)
About 40 hours. A trip along the full length of this lovely canal. Traveling towards Hurleston you cross the Chirk Aqueduct and down the first two locks. After passing Ellesmere and its lakes, you come to the less hilly Whixall Moss to Whitchurch. After this, undulating countryside sprinkled with locks takes you down to Hurleston with its reservoir, which provides water for Chester. Retracing your steps cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, and up the Dee Valley to Llangollen. A delightful week.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Phone: 01527 575115 (booking)
• Website: http://www.black-prince.com/
• Related to: Eco-Tourism, Architecture, Historical Travel
• Written November 25, 2005

Boat basin in Trevor

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