Empress Holidays Canal Holidays & Vacations Nantwich Cheshire

With some of the best and most varied canal routes Empress Holidays is the ideal starting place for your holiday. Based in Nantwich Cheshire we can offer cruises into North Wales, North West England and the Midlands on numerous canal routes. Choose one of our popular routes or you can even customise your own route to suit. See our route map for more details. You are free to cruise where you wish and no decision has to be made on booking. Our popular routes are :

Llangollen Canal Renowned as the most beautiful canal of the system, the canal passes through quaint villages and by churches dating back 700 years. Wrenbury Lift Bridge attracts many visitors and Ellesmere is a popular mooring place for its inns and church with a Norman nave. On the Welsh borders the canal passes through the beautiful Ceiroq Valley, over Chirk Aqueduct and through Chirk Tunnel. A stop in Chirk with it's interesting castle is worthwhile. Soon the absolute must for all travellers comes into view; the breathtaking Pontcysyllte Aqueduct sails 121ft (40m) above the River Dee and if you're brave enough to peek, you're looking straight down!. A day shopping in the tourist town of Llangollen where the International Eisteddfod is held each summer is something to look forward to before the return trip on this magnificent waterway

Whaley Bridge This trip is the same route as the Cheshire Ring as far as Marple where a right turn takes you onto the Upper Peak Forest Canal which has been cut along the side of the Goyt Valley. The canal flows near the little village of Strines where there are the usual shops and inns. Again there are many interesting historical features in this area. The Peak Forest Canal terminates at Whaley Bridge, near Chapel-en-le-Frith. The natural beauty all around this area is well worth excursions.

Cheshire Ring This route requires more effort but is packed with interest, a mix of quiet country scenery, industry and history. Don't miss a stop in the heart of Manchester to shop, maybe at the impressive Trafford Centre, visit the recently opened Lowry Art Centre and enjoy the many canal side restaurants. Other interesting stops on this route include the famous Anderton Boat Lift, Norton Priory Museum and Little Moreton Hall.

Budenberg Haus Projekte, Altrincham. Brand new apartments designed by Lord Foster for Urban Splash.

Four Counties From the Middlewich Branch join the Trent and Mersey near Sandbach. Travel south through rolling hills and meadows to the famous Harecastle tunnel, more than a mile in length and cut by Thomas Telford in 1827. The town of Hanley is suggested for shopping and the selection of nightlife. Stoke on Trent has an excellent pottery museum and at Barleston the Wedgewood pottery factory is well worth the visit. Pause a while in the ancient town of Stone before enjoying the splendid views of the Trent Valley. Penkridge just south of Stafford is a good place to moor before rejoining the "Shroppie" and heading north. Plenty of interest here with the Cowley Tunnel and Tyreley Locks lowering the canal into a remarkable sandstone cutting arched with overhanging trees. The old town of Market Drayton is a worthwhile stop before heading towards Audlem and Nantwich.

Chester Opened in 1774, this section of the "Shroppie" overflows with interest. Bunbury Church contains the tomb of Sir George Beeston; Admiral of the Fleet who commanded Dreadnought against the Spanish Armada aged 89 and died aged 102 in 1601. Beeston Castle is also worth a walk and climb. Moor under the most complete Roman Wall in Britain at Chester and find interest for all the family. The Rows (two tier shops), Cathedral, guided toursthe famous Chester Zoo. Roman Britain. A few minutes walk to the station gives you a day trip to Liverpool for the Maritime Museum, Tate Gallery or Beatles Tour. The canal terminates at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. This route has so many possibilities it can be extended from 3 days to a week.

Montgomery Canal This peaceful canal is now well under restoration. Turning off the Llangollen canal at Frankton it is open for about 3 miles over the Perry Aqueduct through to the winding holes at Queens head.

Longer Cruises Think about a trip to Stratford on Avon, cruising several canals, the River Severn and Avon. Return by a different route, perhaps a circular trip back. this holiday covers beautiful countryside with many places of interest and excellent mooring places. Or combine two of the above weekly cruises. if you prefer not to return on the same canal, combine the Cheshire Ring and Four Counties routes.

Short Break Cruises We offer short break cruises for 2,3 or 4 days. Depending on the number of days we suggest : Chester - Market Drayton - Kidsgrove - Preston Brook. View our short break price list. Weatherwise Breaks If you are unsure about trying a week or two how about a unique impulse holiday that gives you the best deal ever in narrowboat hire. Try our Weatherwise Breaks available in early and late season. It couldn't be easier, just phone to check availability, quote your credit card number and turn up, even the same day! You only book for a minimum of 2 days, no expensive gamble on the weather. If you are enjoying yourself you can stay away as long as you wish within the offer periods - just pay for the extra days when you return, and the prices are too good to miss (Autumn to Spring seasons only). See our Weatherwise price list. Corporate Cruises Cruising from Nantwich on the Shropshire Union Canal, corporate customers have a choice of routes for a challenging day with a difference. Fitted with central heating, tv / vcr, fridge and cooking facilities. Ideal for team building and breaks during training weeks, various challenges can be set in addition to teamwork in boat handling and lock passage. Our base is within easy reach of businesses and corporate venues in N.Wales, Chester, Warrington, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.