Four Counties Ring Route Guide

The Four Counties Ring is one of the classic circular narrowboat routes in England, combining rural cruising, historic canal engineering, busy towns and peaceful village moorings. It is a rewarding journey for crews who want variety without retracing their steps.

This Four Counties Ring route guide explains what to expect, where the route goes, how long to allow, key highlights and practical tips for a smoother cruise.

What Is the Four Counties Ring?

The Four Counties Ring is a circular canal route that usually includes sections of the Trent & Mersey Canal, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, the Shropshire Union Canal and the Middlewich Branch. It takes its name from the counties it traditionally passes through: Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands area.

The route is popular because it offers a strong mix of scenery and navigation. You will pass through pottery towns, wooded cuttings, long embankments, open countryside, canal junctions, aqueducts, lock flights and one of the best-known tunnels on the network.

It is often described as a suitable route for a week-long active holiday, although a more relaxed cruise is much easier if you allow longer. The ring is not technically difficult for competent beginners, but there are enough locks and tunnel sections to make preparation worthwhile.

How Long Does the Four Counties Ring Take?

Many crews aim to complete the Four Counties Ring in 7 days, but this requires steady daily cruising and an organised approach to locks. If you prefer later starts, pub lunches, sightseeing and shorter days, 10 to 14 days will feel more comfortable.

Before setting off, check current stoppage notices and tunnel operating information from the navigation authority. Lock closures, low water, tunnel restrictions and maintenance work can affect timings, especially outside the main summer season.

As a general planning rule, allow more time than you think you need. A canal holiday is far more enjoyable when you are not chasing the clock every afternoon.

Which Direction Should You Travel?

The Four Counties Ring can be cruised clockwise or anti-clockwise. There is no single best direction, and the choice often depends on your hire base, crew preference and any scheduled tunnel passages.

Clockwise from the Middlewich or Nantwich area, you would typically travel down the Trent & Mersey, through Harecastle Tunnel, towards Stoke-on-Trent and Stone, then on to Great Haywood, Autherley Junction, the Shropshire Union Canal, Nantwich and back via the Middlewich Branch.

Anti-clockwise simply reverses this pattern. Some crews prefer to tackle the lock-heavy sections early while energy is high. Others like to ease in with a quieter rural stretch first.

• Clockwise: useful if you want to reach Harecastle Tunnel earlier in the journey from some bases.
• Anti-clockwise: can be appealing if you want the Shropshire Union Canal early in the holiday.
• Best approach: check stoppages, tunnel times and hire boat handover times before deciding.

Main Canals on the Four Counties Ring

Trent & Mersey Canal

The Trent & Mersey Canal is one of the backbone waterways of the route. It includes busy boating areas, historic industrial landscapes, attractive countryside and the famous Harecastle Tunnel near Kidsgrove.

Expect lock flights around the Cheshire and Staffordshire sections, along with plenty of canal heritage. The stretch through Stoke-on-Trent offers a very different feel from the rural sections, but it is an important part of the story of the canal network.

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

This canal joins the Trent & Mersey at Great Haywood Junction and heads south towards Autherley Junction. It is an attractive and often leafy section, with village stops, gentle bends and pleasant moorings.

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is a highlight for many boaters because it feels calm and traditional. It is also a good place to settle into a steady cruising rhythm.

Shropshire Union Canal

The Shropshire Union Canal, often called the Shroppie, is known for its deep cuttings, high embankments, straight stretches and fine rural views. It feels quite different from the older contour canals, with long, purposeful lines through the landscape.

Popular stops include Brewood, Wheaton Aston, Norbury Junction, Market Drayton, Audlem and Nantwich. There are some memorable lock flights, but there are also long pounds where you can enjoy easy cruising.

Middlewich Branch

The Middlewich Branch links the Shropshire Union Canal with the Trent & Mersey Canal. It is a shorter but important part of the ring, passing through pleasant countryside and providing a quieter contrast to some of the busier sections.

It is worth treating this branch as more than just a connector. Allow time for unhurried cruising, careful bridge holes and relaxed mooring if your schedule allows.

Suggested Route Highlights

Every crew will have its own favourite stretch, but the Four Counties Ring includes several places that are worth noting during your planning.

• Harecastle Tunnel: a memorable tunnel passage with controlled entry. Check current operating procedures before arrival.
• Stoke-on-Trent: an urban canal section with strong links to pottery and industrial heritage.
• Stone: a useful and attractive stopping point with shops, food options and canal character.
• Great Haywood Junction: a well-known junction close to Shugborough Estate and pleasant walking routes.
• Autherley Junction: where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire meets the Shropshire Union Canal.
• Norbury Junction: a popular canal location with services and classic Shroppie scenery nearby.
• Market Drayton: a practical stop with shops and a good position before or after nearby locks.
• Audlem: a charming canal village with a notable lock flight and useful facilities.
• Nantwich: a handsome town with good access from the canal and plenty for visiting crews.

Locks, Tunnels and Navigation

The Four Counties Ring includes a good number of locks, so it helps to have at least two willing crew members. Single-handing is possible for experienced boaters, but it can make for long days on this route.

Lock flights are best approached calmly. Set a routine for paddles, gates, ropes and communication before the first busy flight. If you are hiring, make sure everyone understands the handover instructions and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Harecastle Tunnel is the major tunnel on the ring and should be treated with respect. Passage is normally controlled, and boats may be checked before entering. Make sure your headlight works, keep crew inside the profile of the boat, and follow the instructions given on the day.

Other tunnels and narrow sections may also require care. Slow down, sound your horn where appropriate, and be ready for oncoming boats at bridge holes and bends.

Where to Moor on the Four Counties Ring

Mooring opportunities vary across the route. Some stretches offer quiet rural banks, while town sections may have visitor moorings with time limits. In popular locations, it is wise to stop earlier in the afternoon if you want a specific mooring.

When choosing an overnight spot, look for piling, rings or bollards where available. Avoid mooring on lock landings, water points, bridge approaches, bends, winding holes and signed private moorings.

Good overnight candidates often include canal villages and towns such as Stone, Great Haywood, Penkridge, Brewood, Norbury, Market Drayton, Audlem and Nantwich. Conditions change, so always check signage and local advice.

Facilities and Supplies

The Four Counties Ring has a practical spread of facilities, but you should not assume every service point will be available when you arrive. Water points, elsan disposal, rubbish disposal, fuel and pump-out facilities may be spaced apart, and opening hours can vary.

Top up with water regularly rather than waiting until the tank is low. The same applies to fuel and toilet facilities. If you are on a hire boat, ask the hire base where they recommend stopping for essential services.

• Keep a note of water points along your planned route.
• Carry basic food supplies for at least a couple of meals.
• Use canalside shops when available, but do not rely on them being open late.
• Plan rubbish disposal responsibly and never leave waste beside bins that are full.
• Check whether your boat uses pump-out or cassette toilets before setting off.

Practical Planning Tips

A successful Four Counties Ring cruise depends less on rushing and more on steady planning. The route rewards crews who start at a sensible time, share jobs and keep an eye on progress without making the holiday feel like a timetable.

• Check stoppages before departure: look for planned works, emergency closures and tunnel notices.
• Plan around Harecastle Tunnel: do not leave your arrival too late in the day.
• Start locks early: morning lock flights are often calmer than late afternoon.
• Keep waterproofs handy: UK canal weather can change quickly.
• Use a canal guide or navigation app: they help with bridges, services, moorings and junctions.
• Share the workload: rotate steering, lock wheeling, rope handling and tea making.
• Allow buffer time: queues, low pounds, weather and slow traffic can all affect progress.

If you are hiring a narrowboat, check your handover and return times carefully. A route that looks easy on paper may become stressful if you lose half a day at either end.

Is the Four Counties Ring Suitable for Beginners?

The Four Counties Ring can suit confident beginners, especially with a capable crew and a sensible schedule. It is not usually recommended for anyone who wants a very gentle first boating holiday with minimal locks.

New crews should spend time practising steering, stopping, mooring and lock work before the route becomes busy. Take your time at junctions, communicate clearly and do not be pressured by other boats. Most canal users are patient when they can see you are acting safely.

If you are unsure, consider choosing a longer holiday duration or completing only part of the ring as an out-and-back cruise. There is no rule that says you must complete the full circuit on your first trip.

What to Pack for the Route

Packing well makes life aboard easier. Space is limited on a narrowboat, so soft bags are usually better than hard suitcases. Bring practical layers rather than bulky clothing.

• Waterproof coat and trousers.
• Non-slip footwear for lock sides and decks.
• Gloves for ropes and locks.
• Torch or head torch for evenings.
• Phone charger and power bank.
• Canal guide, map or offline navigation app.
• Basic first aid items and any regular medication.
• Reusable shopping bags for food stops.

In summer, also pack sun cream and a hat. In colder months, bring warm layers for early mornings and tunnel approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need for the Four Counties Ring?

A week is possible for active crews who are happy with regular cruising days. For a more relaxed pace, 10 to 14 days is better, especially if you want time to explore towns, pubs and walking routes along the way.

Is Harecastle Tunnel difficult?

Harecastle Tunnel is not difficult if you follow the instructions given by the tunnel staff and steer steadily. It is long, narrow and controlled, so check operating times, make sure your headlight works and keep everyone safely inside the boat profile.

Can you do the Four Counties Ring in either direction?

Yes, the ring can be cruised clockwise or anti-clockwise. Your choice should depend on your start point, tunnel timings, stoppage notices and how you prefer to organise the lock-heavy parts of the route.

Are there plenty of places to shop and eat?

There are several useful towns and villages around the route, including Stone, Penkridge, Market Drayton, Audlem and Nantwich. Even so, it is sensible to keep basic food on board and top up supplies when opportunities arise.

Is the Four Counties Ring good for a first narrowboat holiday?

It can be a good first ring for confident beginners with enough time and an active crew. If you want a very easy introduction, consider allowing extra days or choosing a shorter route before tackling the full circuit.

The Four Counties Ring remains a favourite because it captures so much of what makes narrowboating special: changing scenery, historic waterways, satisfying locks, friendly stopping places and the simple pleasure of travelling at canal pace.