Here's our "Best of the Best" Selection from our Canal Boat Holidays!

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 narrowboat, wondering “is THIS the best mooring spot ever…”

And the same with canal 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?

Gnossal

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 wonderfulLlangollen Canal. Perched 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

There is always an interesting collection of birdlife here, and the spot is ideal for walks into Audlem.

Audlem has one of the canal systems most famous pubs, the Shroppie Fly, which we have always enjoyed, plus the newly renovated Bridge, both right on the canal.

Another good mooring spot at Audlem is between locks 2 and 3. This spot offers fine views over the Cheshire countryside.

But,get closer to lock 2 rather than lock 3, as getting right by the bank is difficult down by lock 3. Audlem itself is a great place to explore, with a fine butcher, fish shop, and large Co-Op with auto teller. There is quite a bit of new development going on at Audlem, but it ia all being done quite tastefully.

Braunston

Its delightful main street, the Old Plough, the mariner, and lots of good mooring spots, make this a favourite canal holiday spot

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 reached accross bridge 73, and it's a pleasant experience with a 2 good general stores,a butcher and 2 excellent pubs.

On many a canal boat holiday, we visit Great Haywood, and never tire of it.

Hampton Bank

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 views 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

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. (Although we have recently heard the folly has closed)

Foxton Locks

There is the 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.

And the museum there gives the canal boat holiday traveller an insight in to the workings of the early lifts once employed there to speed up traffic.

Hopwas.

Some of our FavouritePlaces

Nantwich

This 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.

Brewood

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 canal system.

Ellesmere

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 Bruerne

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 canal boats glide by!

Audlem

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 At Audlem, to quote Pearsons Companion, “shopping is just as much a social event as a retail experience”

We wouldn’t disagree.

Froncysyllte, Llangollen Canal

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 the tracks under the aqueduct, you really appreciate the size of the 18 stone piers, supporting the iron trough 100 feet above you!

.....and some of our Favourite pubs

Red Lion, Hopwas

We spent a few relaxing hours here sampling a Bombadiers or two on the lawn, watching the canal boat owners polishing brass and spring cleaning.

More on this lovely canal pub, here.

Corn Mill, Llangollen

As one might have guessed, it is one of out fave pubs in just about our favorite place.

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, Penkridge

With a nice open fire,this old boaters pub, has no piped music, just a nice unspoiled English atmosphere.

And the Bass is pretty good as well.

The Narrowboat, Llangollen Canal

Nicely decorated, comfy seats and cosy booths with a front lawn on the canal. Mooring is limited,because of the narrowboat hire fleet next door

We first visited here on our 2001 canal boat holiday , and then again in 2002.

And, in 2002, the landlord remembered our order from 2001!

We were impressed! If you want to discover more of the finer pubs to visit on your canal boat holiday there is a great book out from the Cool Canal Group, titled, of course "Pub Days Out". Its a great read, and I highly recomend it. So, when you are next on a canal boat holiday, just ask if THIS little village is the best you have visited, or maybe you have moored at one of the nicest mooring spots ever......then drop us a line and let us know!

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!