Here's our "Best of the Best" selection!
No other holiday lets you see so much, so leisurely. Each stretch of water has its own character, from rich heritage to breathtaking outlooks. One minute you are cruising 127ft in the air, the next looking at old slate wharves. Every once in a while, we sit on the deck of our boat, wondering “is THIS the best mooring spot ever…” And the same with villages, and pubs. But we thought, why not put together some of our favorites among the favorites. So here, in no particular order, are some of the best of the best. Do you agree?
GnossalA beautiful spot on the Shropshire Union Canal.Especially if you can tuck in between Bridges 34 and 35.There are always lots of ducks around the boat, well manicured gardens flowing down to the towpath, and two fine pubs to visit.And, it’s not too far into the town of Gnossal, with the world’s friendliest butcher not too far away. 
Llangollen.What can you say that hasn’t already been said about the wonderful Llangollen CanalPerched high over this beautiful Llangollen village, it has everything you could require in a mooring spot. With the new mariner opening up recently, you have a much better chance of securing a top spot. If you can grab one with the spectacular outlook across the vale, you will not want to move.When we were there last May, (2009) we were just about the only boat moored on the towpath! Facilities have been improved with water, power and lights right by your boat.Access to the town is easy from the towpath moorings and, and it is a pleasant walk up to the source of the canal, Horseshoe Falls.And of course, Llangollen has one of our favorite pubs, the Corn Mill, one of the best Llangollen Canal pubs. Audlem
Just below the bottom lock (15)on the
Shropshire Union Canal
by the Aquaduct over the River Weaver, there are mooring spots offering views right across the newly created wetlands by Moss Hall.There is always an interesting collection of birdlife here, and the spot is ideal for walks into Audlem. Audlem has one of the systems most famous pubs, the Shroppie Fly, which we have always enjoyed, plus the newly renovated Bridge, both right on the canal. Another good spot at Audlem is up between locks 2 and 3. This spot offers fine views over the Cheshire countryside. But, get closer to lock 2 than 3, as getting right by the bank is difficult down by lock 3. Braunston
The canal town of Braunston, on the
Oxford
and
Grand Union Canal
junction has much to offer the canal traveler.Its delightful main street, the Old Plough, the mariner, and lots of good mooring spots.The best spot we reckon is tucked in between bridge 2 and the mariner entrance. From here one can watch the comings and goings at the mariner, wander down to the Mill House pub by bride 91, or cross the Bridge and walk into town. Great Haywood
The moorings at Great Haywood have been assisted by the opening of the mariner nearby. The spot we like is overlooking Shugbborough Hall, just below lock 13.A really lovely outlook, and close to the village of Great Heywood, and the walks around Cannock Chase.The attractive village is easilly reaches accross bridge 73, and its a pleasant experience experience with a 2 good general stores,abutcher and 2 excellent pubs. Hampton BankWe very rarely moor too far away from a pub, but every now and then, it happens!Once, after not liking the look of any moorings of our planned stop at Prees Junction, we found ourselves at Hampton Bank, just near Bridge 50, opposite Fern Bank. This is a lovely spot, with vies to the North over the Welsh Hills. There were lots of friendly folk walking their dogs around Fern Wood. Further on, as one gets closer to Ellesmere, there are some top mooring spots by Blake Mere and Cole Mere. Napton
Ah….the sunsets at Napton!The most beautiful sunsets imaginable are at Napton, on the Oxford Canal. We moored here once above the second lock. Luckily it was a quiet time, and we were the only boat there.From this spot we had panoramic views over the countyside with the windmill looking down on us. An idyllic spot, it’s an easy stroll to the Folly pub, one of the most popular Oxford canal Pubs or head up to Napton on the Hill. Foxton Locks
Between bridge 59 and 60, where one has as good a view over the countryside as anywhere on the canal. There is then lovely village of Gumley close by. Two pubs, the Foxton locks Inn, which we tried a couple of times and really liked, and just opposite, the Bridge 61. Hopwas. Despite the warning signs on the opposite bank warning us of a firing range, we moored between School Bridge and Wood Bridge with a delightful view across the River Tame.Here it was quiet and peaceful, close to the town of Hopwas, with two friendly pubs, the Tame Otter, and the Red lion, both offering outside facilities overlooking the Coventry Canal. Hopwas.Despite the warning signs on the opposite bank warning us of a firing range, we moored between School Bridge and Wood Bridge with a delightful view across the River Tame.Here it was quiet and peaceful, close to the town of Hopwas, with two friendly pubs, the Tame Otter, and the Red lion, both offering outside facilities overlooking the Coventry Canal.Some of our FavouritePlaces
NantwichThis picturesque ex salt town is a brief pleasant walk from the canal, perched high above. The town is easy to get around, has a good variety of shops, especially along Pepper Street. Lots of interesting historic buildings, flowers and a market on Thusdays and Saturdays, which is a lot of fun.One of the highlights of the Shropshire Union Canal. 
BrewoodAlso on the Shropshire Union, Brewood took us a bit by surprise. Lovely winding streets, friendly, very helpful locals, The Admiral Rodney Hotel, (one of the top pubs we have been in) and the friendliest hairdresser for miles. There are a great range of shops, grocer, post office, baker, and newsagent overlooking the old square.Gracious well kept buildings make Brewood as nice a spot as you will find on the system.
EllesmereThere is more to Ellesmere than first appears when you tie up in the basin. Walking up past the old dairy (now a Tesco store) it is a pleasant surprise walking out into the old square, surrounded by a variety of interesting buildings. There are banks, the marvelous Vermeulens deli, several pubs, an interesting newsagency and very good butcher.If you are there in cricket season, you can enjoy watching a game on the ground adjacent to the basin. And of course, there is the lovely walk down to the Mere, where ducks, swan, squirrels and a variety of other wildlife congregate. 
Stoke BruerneSmall but a lot to see here. Moor between the tunnel and the winding hole and wander down to the museum shop. Then talk a leisurely walk through the little village with its honey colored brick buildings and straggling streets. And just to finish up a perfect day, quench your thirst at the Boat Inn, right on the lock, then duck down to the very friendly navigation, sit out on the lawns, and watch the the boats glide by!
AudlemOne of the spots we seem to keep coming back to. Audlem has a couple of really good mooring spots, and is a great little town to visit. Easily accessed from the canal, lovely winding streets, three very good pubs, (The Bridge and the Lord Combermere have both had a facelift recently) plus a good variety store make the town a pleasant one for shopping. And, right on the canal by the Shroppie fly, is the Audlem Mill Canal Shop, a canal where, to quote Pearsons Companion “shopping is just as much a social event as a retail experience” We wouldn’t disagree. Froncysyllte, Llangollen CanalJust around the bend after Whitehouses Tunnel, (after bridge 27) heading towards Trevor, the canal narrows.On the right there are some excellent mooring spots before the bridge 28. Here you will be rewarded with views over the Welsh countryside. From here it’s a short, but spectacular walk over the Pontcyyslite Aqueduct to Trevor. Here, Anglo Welsh have one of their busy Narrow Boat Hire Bases, so mooring in the basin here can be a bit crowded, but we have done it a couple of times. At Trevor there is a Canal Museum, an interesting sculpture made from items found in the Llangollen, plus the The Telford Hotel. And if that’s not enough to keep you amused, try walking tracks under the aqueduct, you really appreciate the size of the 18stone piers, supporting the iron trough 100 feet above you! .....and some of our Favourite pubs
Red Lion, HopwasWith an exquisite garden overlooking the Coventry Canal.Pleasant, relaxing bars, good food and nicely decorated.We spent a few relaxing hours here sampling a Bombadiers or two on the lawn, watching the boaters polishing brass and spring cleaning. More on this lovely pub, here. 
Corn Mill, LlangollenWith its mill wheel still turning, this unique pub stands with its decks built out over the river Dee.As one might have guessed, it is one of out fave pubs in just about our favorite places. The outlook to the medieval bridge, the steam trains opposite, and a pint of Boddingtons is hard to beat. We have had several meals there as well, and the food is excellent. Read more about this great pub
here.
Cross Keyes, PenkridgeRight on the Staff and Worsc. Canal, where there are particularly pleasant moorings. With a nice open fire,this old boaters pub, had no piped music, just a nice unspoiled English pub. And the Bass is pretty good as well. 
The Narrowboat, Llangollen CanalJust past Frankton Junction and bridge 5 is the Narrowboat. Not an old English pub, but the landlord makes up for it. A mad hocky player, and cricket fan, he will make you feel welcome no matter the time or weather.We first visited here in 2001, and then again in 2002.And, in 2002, the landlord remembered our order from 2001!If you want to discover more of the finer pubs on the canals, there is a book out from the Cool Canal Group, titled, of course "Pub Days Out". Its a great read, and I highly recomend it.
Cool Canals Pub Days Out (Britain) (Cool Canals Guide) Don't YOU have a favorite?Do you have a favorite mooring spot, favorite bit of Canal, or fond memory of a particular Village? Share your story here!
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