Barging Around Cheshire
Discovering the network of waterways that developed in Cheshire during the industrial revolution - a rich legacy of delightful waterside settings, historic boats and magnificent architecture.
Discovering the network of waterways that developed in Cheshire during the industrial revolution - a rich legacy of delightful waterside settings, historic boats and magnificent architecture.
“Canals changed the map of Britain; they were the motorways of their age” – so considered by TV’s John Sergeant. Built in the fire of world changing industrial events yet set within gorgeous scenery they are bursting with undiscovered history. This interesting tour covers the network of waterways that developed in Cheshire during the industrial revolution. As a consequence the region has been bequeathed a rich legacy of heritage attractions, delightful waterside settings, flotillas of historic boats and magnificent Victorian architecture.
ITINERARY
Monday - Morning departure from Dorset to arrive Chester in time for dinner. Porterage is included.
Tuesday - Begin your day in charming Chester with a 30 minute sightseeing cruise on the River Dee. Discover fascinating facts and enjoy the views with a skippers commentary of the sights. Later this morning take time stroll the pretty medieval streets and city walls. After lunch we travel north to the Wirral Peninsula for a guided tour of the award winning Ness Botanic Gardens, founded in 1898 by Arthur Kilpin Bulley, a cotton merchant with a passion for plant collecting.
Wednesday - A scenic drive into Wales, through Ruthin and over the spectacular Horseshoe Pass with stunning views as you snake towards its highest point. Stop in Llangollen on the banks of the River Dee as it bubbles from Snowdon. Later drive to Froncysyllte where we join a canal cruise on a colourful narrowboat which includes a crossing of the Pontcysllte Aqueduct - "the Stream in the Sky" - 18 stone arches that carry the viaduct 126 feet high over the Dee Valley.
Thursday - Morning drive to Northwich where we visit the spectacular Anderton Boat Lift - built in 1875 it lifts boats from the River Weaver 50 feet up to the Trent & Mersey Canal. It is a Victorian engineering marvel and we shall get to ride a boat cruise through the lift. This afternoon we shall call into the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port - a dynamic landscape of preserved Victorian buildings, docks, locks and historic boats where the story of Britain's canals and inland waterways is preserved.
Friday - Homewards bound with a stop at Sandwell Valley Park near West Bromwich - heritage centre, gardens, café. Resume that afternoon to arrive back in Dorset early evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Mercure Abbots Well Hotel, Chester
A superb modern 4 star hotel located within landscaped gardens just 2 miles from Chester city centre. Bedrooms are comfortable and provide private bathroom, hairdryer, television, phone, tea tray and free wifi - all bedrooms are ground or first floor (no lift). Public areas are bright and attractive places to relax and socialise and the restaurant provides a variety of quality meals with personal service. There is a fully equipped leisure club with indoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
TOUR PRICE: £550.00 Per Person
Single Room Supplement: £120.00
Price Includes: All coach travel, 4 night hotel accommodation, Half board meals, River Dee Cruise, Entry to Ness Gardens, Pontcysllte Aqueduct cruise, Anderton boat lift cruise, Entry to Waterways museum, Entry to Sandwell Valley.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Other Points in Dorset | Phone us to discuss a convenient pick up. |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | St Nicholas Church, Buxton Road, Weymouth |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
| From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
|---|
