HOLIDAY GUIDE. All you need to know for a perfect boating holiday

Transcription

1 HOLIDAY GUIDE All you need to know for a perfect boating holiday

2 CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 3 What to pack and bring on your holiday 4 Cases and other general items 4 Collection of your narrowboat 5 Return of your narrowboat 5 Items available at the base 6 Welcome pack 6 General 6-7 Where to go and what to do 7 Route availability 8 Eating out 8 Shopping and food 8 Electricity, gas and fuel 9 Toilets 10 Water 10 Television 10 Cruising licences 11 Mooring charges 11 Fishing licences 11 Pets 11 Rubbish disposal 11 Worcester Base Information Rugby Base Information Whitchurch Base Information Gailey Base Information Payment of holiday hire charges 25 Groceries / payment form

3 INTRODUCTION Thank you for booking your holiday with Viking Afloat. We hope you have a wonderful experience exploring some of the beautiful waterways of England and Wales. We realise for crews that have never been on a narrow boat before there is a lot of information to take in, both before and at the start of the holiday. This guide gives details to help you prepare for your holiday before you arrive at the marina and provides experienced boaters with more information about your holiday and our bases. It should be read in conjunction with The Boater s Handbook published by British Waterways to give you hints and tips in preparation for your cruise. Each of our boats also has a manual containing information regarding the boat and its equipment, which is left on the boat to assist you during the holiday. Please can you ensure that you and all of your crew carefully read The Boater s Handbook before you start out on your holiday. It would also be useful if you bring it along with you for reference throughout your trip. Please note that you will be asked to sign and confirm that you have read this for health and safety purposes. Before we hand over the boat to you, our experienced staff will give you instruction on the use of all appliances and equipment and a short trip to familiarize you with your boat and it s controls. They will also be happy to answer any questions on the local canals and cruising routes. We hope that you find your holiday guide useful and that you enjoy your narrowboat holiday experience. 3

4 WHAT TO PACK AND BRING ON YOUR HOLIDAY A canal holiday is very informal so bring casual, comfortable clothes suitable for operating the boat and locks. These will tend to be T-shirts and jeans, or trousers with shorts for hotter days. A good sweater or coat is also useful for cold mornings or evenings, as are gloves when operating locks. Gardening type gloves are ideal. The most important item of clothing for the holiday is a pair of non-slip, flat rubber soled shoes. Plimsolls, trainers, etc are suitable, but not leather or hard soles shoes a shoe with a firm grip will avoid slips around the boat and locks. Other items we recommend you bring are waterproof clothing such as anoraks, sunglasses to avoid glare off the water, a washing bag and nightwear. A pair of Wellington boots can also be useful especially if you want to do any walking. All of our boats have either a radio/cassette or CD and some even a DVD player so you can bring a supply of your favourite tapes, CDs or DVDs with you. Freshly laundered bed linen is provided on all the boats including duvets, duvet covers, bottom sheets, pillows (two per person) and pillow cases. However, you will need to bring your own towels except if you are an overseas visitor. CASES AND OTHER GENERAL ITEMS Whilst our boats have as much storage as possible, please remember that space is confined, so do not bring the kitchen sink! (This is already provided in addition to the comprehensive inventory). For reasons of space it is best to pack your belongings in soft bags, as they are easier to store when empty. Alternatively you may wish to store empty suitcases in your car prior to your departure. Don t forget to bring your camera, binoculars and fishing tackle (if appropriate). Sorry, but no live bait is allowed onboard! A shopping/carrying bag, maps, books, games are also useful. To help you choose the most appropriate guide for you holiday we have provided some suggestions in the base information sections, and these maps/guides can be purchased from the marinas, by visiting our website or by calling the booking office on

5 COLLECTION OF YOUR NARROWBOAT Your boat will be ready at 3pm, but it is not unusual for boats to be ready before this time and we will be happy to receive you a little earlier. We seek your co-operation, however, in not arriving before 1:30pm as there is very little chance that your boat will be ready before this time. If you are unable to arrive until after 4:30pm please telephone the Boatyard (contact numbers are under the Marina Information section) so that we can arrange for a member of staff to show you to your boat. As this collection is likely to be out of hours, there will be a charge of and your demonstration of the boat and its systems will be given the following morning. Under no circumstances can we allow a boat to depart without a demonstration. RETURN OF YOUR NARROWBOAT Your boat must be vacated by 9:30am to allow us to service it for the following holiday. It is very important that boats are not handed back late as the whole turnaround process depends on boats being available at the correct time, so your consideration is appreciated. Therefore, we suggest that you spend the last night near your start base. If you wish to depart on your last night the gates at the boatyard will be locked, but can be opened with the key marked BWB on the set of keys to your boat. For security reasons we would be grateful if you would ensure you lock the gates behind you. Please ask the boatyard staff where the boat keys should be left when you collect your boat. A most important factor in getting the boat ready on time for the next boaters is the state in which it is returned. We ask that the boat is left in a clean and tidy condition with all items back in their original place. Please dispose of all your rubbish in our on-site refuse containers. 5

6 ITEMS AVAILABLE AT THE BASE These are a number of items available at the base as follows: For sale: books, maps, guides and souvenirs. We also have The Boater s Video and DVD which is an informative film that follows the adventures of two real-life families. It shows how quickly it is to learn to navigate safely through locks, bridges and tunnels, and enjoy the waterways safely. For loan: buoyancy aids and/or lifejackets, extra blankets and cotsides. Lifejackets come in five sizes from small child to large adult, and will be individually fitted before you set out. Please request these on your arrival at the marina. WELCOME PACK To enable you to enjoy your holiday to the full, we will also provide a welcome pack consisting of some washing up liquid, bin liner, cleaning cloth, a box of matches, a cleaning agent, a toilet roll and a detailed boat manual. GENERAL There are a few general points that need to be taken into consideration when on a narrow boat holiday: 1. No person under the age of 18 years should operate the boat unless an adult is at the young person s side. 2. You are not permitted to cruise after dark. The boat is not fitted with navigation lights and the insurance becomes invalid. 3. The maximum speed allowed on the canals is 4 mph. This helps to protect the environment by stopping bank erosion and reducing exhaust emissions. If the wash from the boat creates a wave along the bank your speed is too high. 4. The canals are a 200 year old, man-made navigation system and you should always bear in mind that minor things can go wrong from time to time! Delays can occur for any number of reasons and so you should consider setting out on each leg of your journey in good time to avoid any problems towards the end of the day. 6

7 5. The waterways are a resource to be enjoyed by everyone and we would ask you to respect other users. Please slow down when going past other boats, particularly when they are moored, otherwise you may pull out their mooring pins or cause the occupants to have an accident. 6. Fishermen generally prefer you to slow down when going past them, but it is important to try to stay in the centre of the canal where the water is deepest. By all means smile and wave hello to them, but they may not reciprocate! Fellow boaters on the other hand will nearly always respond cheerfully and if you get into difficulties, don t be too proud to ask for advice. WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO There is a great temptation to undertake long circular cruises or rings only to discover that it is all proving to be much harder work than you first thought. We always recommend out and return routes for beginners many experienced boaters also prefer these. Working through the locks does take some effort and whilst this activity is part of the enjoyment of a canal cruise, you do not want to make it a chore. A cruising day of about 8 hours is the most that you should plan for, and remember that you might want some time to do other things as well. Our brochure and website list a selection of possible cruising routes from each of our marinas and also give an indication of the amount of effort involved. Guide books for all the canals and navigable rivers are available in our marina shops or via our booking office if you want to study the route in advance. Places of interest and the facilities you may need are listed and described alongside the maps, so you will always know in advance what is to be found around the next bend. 7

8 ROUTE AVAILABILITY For up-to-date information on route availability for British Waterways navigations please telephone Canalphone North & Midlands on and/or Canalphone South & Midlands on or WAP mobile Alternatively the British Waterways website contains a lot of useful information or you can ring their customer services on The marina will also provide you with any route information when you collect your boat. EATING OUT One of the great attractions of this type of holiday is the complete freedom it offers. You can choose to eat out in pubs and restaurants, or eat on aboard. You can moor up in towns and villages, or out in the middle of nowhere. Many of the delightful canalside pubs provide meals, but you would be well advised to telephone in advance to book a table as they are very popular with motorists as well as boaters. We have some phone numbers for certain recommended pubs on our website as you may wish to call ahead to ensure that they are serving food at the times you require. There may also be days on which they do not serve food at all! SHOPPING AND FOOD Your boat is fully equipped with all the utensils, cooker, oven, fridge, etc. to enable you to cook, if you wish, to the same standards you would at home. There is hot and cold running water in the galley and adequate room. You will be able to replenish the larder at some canalside towns and villages which you will pass and many boatyards operate a small grocery shop. It is becoming more common for supermarkets to be built near to the canals which often have cashpoints so you can stock up your wallet as well as your larder! 8

9 ELECTRICITY, GAS AND FUEL ELECTRICITY - The boats electrical systems are supplied by heavy duty batteries which are recharged by the propulsion engine. All essential boat equipment including the TV operates on a 12 volt DC supply. There is, however, a 240 volt supply point for electric shavers only and a 12 volt car cigar lighter socket suitable for charging mobile phones and camcorder batteries, for which you will need to bring a suitable 12 volt lead with you. Please note that if you use your own household appliances you do so at your own risk. Whilst recharging any item please ensure the boat engine is running, otherwise you will drain the boat s batteries very quickly. You must run the engine for at least 5 hours each day to recharge the batteries but our staff will advise you on this when you collect your boat. GAS - Two or more gas cylinders are carried on board the boat. Providing it is used wisely you will have sufficient supply for at least one week in the coldest part of the season and plenty for two weeks in the spring and summer. However, if you leave windows and doors open, or it is exceptionally cold and you need the heating on constantly your supply will be used more quickly and could run out at a place when you cannot easily obtain replacement cylinders. For safety and legislation reasons no other portable gas appliances such as barbecues may be carried or stored on the boat. FUEL Your fuel tank will be full with about 50 gallons, or 225 litres of diesel fuel when you start your holiday and this will normally last more than 2 weeks. The average fuel consumption is between 10 and 20 gallons per week. If you plan to cruise for over 100 hours ask about refuelling procedures at the start of your holiday. 9

10 TOILETS All of our boats are equipped with fresh water flushing toilets designed to need emptying only once a week with average use. Should the toilet tank need emptying during the holiday it is a chargeable service that is provided by most boatyards. Having been emptied during the turnaround, the toilet should be entirely trouble free providing it is used correctly. Only human waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet. Any other items (including sanitary articles, nappies, wet wipes, kitchen towels and quilted toilet paper) should not go down the toilet, but be disposed of separately in a suitable bin. A blockage may delay your progress if an engineer has to be called. If a blockage is found to have been caused due to ignoring these instructions a charge may be made for the engineer s time. If you do need a pump-out it is advisable to avoid weekends if at all possible because many marinas which operate a hire fleet will be busy servicing their own boats at this time. WATER All of our boats carry around 100 gallons or 450 litres of water which is delivered to the taps by an automatic electric pump. You are advised to refill your water tank every day. This reduces the filling time, which can be lengthy at some taps and avoids the risk of running out at an inconvenient place or time. There are many water points along your route and all will be shown in the various canal cruising guides. Nearly all boatyards have water points but do remember to ask first as there are no special rights or agreements for hire boats. TELEVISION All of our boats are fitted with 12 volt colour television sets as a permanent feature. Reception quality is not always good on the canals because the aerial is generally not high enough. Some boats in our fleet also have a DVD player for watching your own DVDs. 10

11 CRUISING LICENCES Our boats are licenced for all the canals and rivers governed by British Waterways, but not for a few other waterways. This means that if you plan to cruise the Rivers Avon, Nene or Thames you will need to pay for a short term visitor s licence. We will be pleased to advise you when you collect your boat on current procedures and costs. MOORING CHARGES Most moorings on canals and rivers governed by British Waterways are free of charge. You are permitted to moor anywhere on the towpath side of the canal free of charge so long as you are not causing an obstruction. However, at certain sites there may be a fee, usually between 3 and 8 for overnight mooring. Again the marina can advise you on this when you collect your boat. FISHING LICENCES Most of the waterways you can reach can be fished, providing you hold a national licence available from UK Post Offices. You must also purchase a day ticket from the owners of the fishing rights either in advance or from the bailiff for the water in question. For reasons of hygiene we cannot allow you to keep live bait on the boat, and please note that fishing is not allowed on rivers from 15th March to 15th June inclusive. PETS You may bring your pets with you, but we reserve the right to limit the number of pets per boat. There is no additional charge, but we would ask you keep them well under control and away from bedding and soft furnishings. If the boat is left damaged or dirty/untidy there may be an extra charge for cleaning or repair. RUBBISH DISPOSAL There are a number of disposal points along the waterways which are shown in the canal guides so please use them. Most boatyards will provide facilities if you cannot locate a British Waterways disposal point although they may make a small charge for this service. 11

12 WORCESTER MARINA INFORMATION ADDRESS: Lowesmoor Wharf TEL: Lowesmoor FAX: Worcester WR1 2RS DIRECTIONS: BY ROAD: If approaching from the South via the M5 motorway exit at junction 7 take the A44 to Worcester City Centre (Whittington Road then London Road). At the traffic lights in Sidbury (opposite Skellerns Motorcycle shop) turn right into City Walls Road (signposted A38 Bromsgrove). At the first roundabout take the second exit. After 100 metres you will come to a second roundabout where you will need to take the first exit into Pheasant Street. Drive along this road until you reach a set of traffic lights where you need to turn left into Lowesmoor. Immediately on your right is the entrance to Lowesmoor Wharf sign posted Viking Afloat. Drive in and follow the road round to the left and you will see Viking Afloat at the end of the road. A38 River Seven B4550 B4206 A443 Pheasant St Worcester Shrub Hill A449 A44 A44 A44 A38 Worcester and A38 Birmingham Canal A449 A38 A449 A38 6 A44 WORCESTER A4538 A422 A4440 A38 M5 7 A4103 A449 A44 12

13 If approaching from the North via the M5 motorway exit at junction 6 take the A449 to Worcester. Follow the signs to Worcester City Centre. Follow the one-way system to the left (Sansome Walk, sign posted A38). This brings you to the traffic lights at the junction of City Walls Road and Lowesmoor. Go straight over these lights and carry on to the first roundabout where you take the first exit. After 100 metres you will come to a second roundabout where you need to take the first exit into Pheasant Street. Drive along this road until you reach a set of traffic lights where you need to turn left into Lowesmoor. Immediately on your right is the entrance to Lowesmoor Wharf sign posted Viking Afloat. Drive in and follow the road around to the left and you will see Viking Afloat at the end of the road. BY RAIL: If you are approaching from Worcester Shrub Hill Railway Station which is the main line station, turn right out of the station and go down Shrub Hill Road. Then go left and walk to the mini-roundabout and follow it round to the left. Cross Pheasant Street via the pedestrian crossing and turn right. Crossing Lowesmoor will bring the entrance to Lowesmoor Wharf directly in front of you. Enter and follow the road around to the left and you will see Viking Afloat at the end of the road. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to FROM AIRPORTS: From Birmingham International Airport: There are trains from Birmingham Airport to New Street Station in Birmingham City Centre. From here catch a train to Worcester Shrub Hill train station and follow the directions above. For further information on travel from and to Birmingham Airport go to From Bristol: There is an express coach link between Bristol International Airport and Bristol railway station (Temple Meads) and bus station. Please see for details on national coach travel. Take a train from Bristol to Worcester Shrub Hill train station. You can buy rail tickets on-line at www. thetrainline.com or 13

14 LOCAL ACCOMMODATION: The White House Hotel Foregate Road Worcester Worcestershire WR1 1EA Telephone: Abbeydore Guest House 34 Barbourne Rd Worcester Worcestershire WR1 1HU Telephone: LOCAL TAXI COMPANY: Anns Coaches Telephone: Cathedral Cars Telephone: GROCERY STORES: Town Centre: Sainsbury Telephone Marks and Spencers Telephone Outskirts: Tescos (3 miles Warndon) Telephone

15 CRUISING ROUTES FROM WORCESTER These cruising routes are intended as brief guides only, and more information can be found on our website at or by asking marina staff when you collect your boat. However, we recommend that you use these notes in conjunction with Pearson s Guide, Canal Companion - Stourport Ring or Nicholson s Guide, Severn, Avon and Birmingham. Copies of all maps and guides can be purchased from our booking office on , from our website at or at the hire base on your arrival. 3 night short break on the Worcester Birmingham Canal: To undertake this trip it is essential that you use lighter evenings (May to September) and that you are able to make an early start. It is 6 miles and 12 locks to Tibberton. From Tibberton you go to Stoke Prior which is 8 miles and 7 locks. From here you turn around to Hanbury Wharf which is 4 miles and 7 locks. On day 3 go from Hanbury Wharf to Tibberton and then onto Lowesmoor Wharf, which is 9 miles and 12 locks. A midweek 4 day break through Worcestershire: Start from Lowesmoor Wharf to Bevere which is 4 miles and 4 locks. Day 2 will take you from Bevere to the Stourport Basin then onto Kidderminster. This is 11 miles in total and takes in 10 locks. From Kidderminster you will go to the Stourport Junction and turn around, then continue back to Wolverly. This is 12 miles and 12 locks. The final day will take you from Wolverly to Stourport Basin and then onto Diglis Basin via the River Severn, finishing at Lowesmoor Wharf. This is 20 miles and 15 locks. One week trip out and back through Worcestershire and Staffordshire: From Lowesmoor Wharf to Diglis Basin and onto Bevere; 5 miles and 4 locks. On day 2 you will go from Bevere to Stourport Basin and onto Kidderminster, which is 11 miles and 10 locks. Day 3 will take you from Kidderminster to Kinver and then onto Greensforge Lock. This is 9 miles and takes in 10 locks. The next day will take you from Greensforge Lock onto Wightwick Lock via Bratch and then onto Coven; 13 miles and 15 locks. From Coven you will go to Wighton Lock and then Swindon Village, which is 12 miles and 13 locks. Day 6 will go from Swindon Village to Wolverley (9 miles and 8 locks) and then the final day from Wolverley back to Lowesmoor Wharf which is 20 miles and 16 locks. Alternatively you could cruise the Stourport Ring, which is a more energetic run that takes you up the River Severn to join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, then to Birmingham through the City Centre to meet up with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. This canal brings you past Bournville (Cadbury World) and finally down the Tardebigge flight of locks to Worcester. 15

16 RUGBY MARINA INFORMATION ADDRESS: Rugby Wharf TEL: Consul Road FAX: Rugby CV21 1PB DIRECTIONS: BY ROAD: If you are approaching from the Southeast or Northwest via the M6 motorway exit at junction 1. Take the A426 towards Rugby. Go straight across the firstfourroundabouts passing under a disused railway viaduct. Then go right around the roundabout and come back towards the viaduct. Consul Road is the first left by the Peugeot garage. The boatyard entrance is 200 yards on the right. If you are approaching from the North via the M1 motorway exit junction 20. Take the A427 towards Lutterworth/Rugby. Turn left at the traffic lights onto A426 Rugby for 4 miles. At the junction of the A426 and M6 motorway follow instructions as above. If you are approaching from the South via the A426 you will come through the village of Dunchurch. Take all signs that direct you to the M6 North. Follow the road towards Rugby town centre (A426) and still keep following all the signs to M6 North. This will eventually Oxford Canal A426 to A5, M1, M6 Motorways Link LUTTERWORTH A Tesco Superstore M6 A426 Consul Rd 1 19 Eleven Arch Viaduct Avon Mill Roundabout Newbold Rd A426 to Rugby A426 RUGBY M DUNCHURCH M

17 bring you to Avon Mill Roundabout. Turn right at this roundabout and travel up the dual carriageway, turning left just past the viaduct onto Consul Road. The boatyard entrance is 200 yards on the right. BY RAIL: You can either take a taxi to the marina from Rugby train station or walk, although it is 40 minutes. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to FROM AIRPORTS: From Birmingham, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Nottingham, Coventry or East Midlands use either the train or National Express to get to the centre of Rugby then get a taxi to the base. Please see for details on national coach travel. LOCAL ACCOMMODATION: The Carlton Hotel 130 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HE Telephone: Arnold Villas B & B 4 Arnold Villas Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3AX Telephone: Website currently under construction LOCAL TAXI: Rugby Roma Cars Telephone: /2 (have 7 & 8 seater vehicles available) Call A Car Telephone: GROCERY STORES: The most convenient store is Tesco which is next door to the base telephone , and Sainsburys that is 2.7 miles away telephone , There is also a Co-op Store, McDonalds, KFC and service station 5 minutes from the base. 17

18 CRUISING ROUTES FROM RUGBY These cruising routes are intended as brief guides only, and more information can be found on our website at or by asking marina staff when you collect your boat. However, we recommend that you use these notes in conjunction with Pearson s Guide, Canal Companion - Oxford and Grand Union or Canal Companion - South Midlands and Warwickshire Ring or the Nicholson s Guide, Birmingham and The Heart of England or Grand Union, Oxford and the South East. Copies of these can be purchased from our booking office on , from our website at or at the hire base on your arrival. 3 night short break The Windmill Cruise: This cruise departs from the Rugby Wharf and goes to Hillmorton junction. This is 5 miles and 3 locks. Next you head to Birdingbury Wharf via Braunston and Napton junction, which is 15 miles and takes in 3 locks. On day 3 you will turn the boat around and head back through Calcutt Locks, onto Napton and Braunston junction then finishing at Newbold Village. This is 21 miles and 6 locks. On day 4 you will need to start at 8.15am to return to the Rugby Wharf for the handover of the boat. A midweek 4 day break Stoke Bruerne and the Museum: From Rugby Wharf you will travel to Braunston which is 10 miles and 3 locks, and then on day 2 you will cruise to Stoke Bruerne via Weedon. This is 19 miles and has 13 locks. On day 3 you will travel back to Weedon, but you may want to visit The Waterways Museum before you begin cruising. This will take 10 hours, but doesn t have any locks. From Weedon you will travel to Newbold which is 18 miles and has 16 locks. This will leave you ready first thing on day 5 to travel back to the base. One week trip towards Oxford and return: Departing from Rugby you will travel to Hillmorton (5 miles and 3 locks) on the first day. Then you will go to Fenny Compton via Braunston and Napton junction. This is 22 miles and has 9 locks. On day 3 you will travel from Fenny Compton to Cropredy and then onto Banbury; 13 miles and 12 locks. Since Banbury has a wealth of options for the visitor, including the opportunity to catch a train to nearby Oxford, many customers choose to spend a day here before embarking on the return trip. However, if you wish to continue on day 4 you will travel onto Aynho Wharf which is 7 miles and has 4 locks, and then back to Banbury which is another 7 miles and 4 locks. The rest of the journey involves retracing your outward journey, which means on day 5 you will travel from Banbury to Cropredy to Fenny Compton and then from Braunston to Newbold on Avon. We recommend that you cruise past the entrance to the Rugby Wharf to Newbold Village and go through Newbold Tunnel and turn the boat at Falls Bridge. You can then go back through Newbold Tunnel and moor up, ready to return to the base the next morning. Alternatively you could cruise the Warwickshire Ring in a week. You set off up the Grand Union Canal and then reach Birmingham. From the International Convention Centre you branch off down the Birmingham Fazeley Canal, which takes you out under Spaghetti Junction to the Coventry Canal, where you turn back to Rugby. 18

19 WHITCHURCH MARINA INFORMATION ADDRESS: Wrexham Road TEL: Whitchurch FAX: Shropshire SY13 3AA DIRECTIONS: BY ROAD: If you are approaching from the North via the A41 or A49, you need to follow signs for Wrexham (A525) as you get nearer to Whitchurch. This will take you on a new bypass to the West of Whitchurch. When you reach the roundabout junction with the A525, take the Wrexham (last) exit. The entrance to Viking Afloat is only 50 yards on the right. If you are approaching from the East on the A525, you need to follow signs for Wrexham (A525) as you get nearer to Whitchurch. This will take you on a new bypass to the south, and then West of Whitchurch. When you reach the roundabout junction with the A525, take the Wrexham (first) exit. The entrance to Viking Afloat is only 50 yards on the right. If you are travelling from the South on the A41 (A449) as you approach Whitchurch turn left at the roundabout following signs for Wrexham (A525). Go straight across the next roundabout still following signs for Wrexham (A525). At the A525 junction turn left at the roundabout and Viking Afloat is 50 yards along on the right. Chester A41 A49 Tarporley Northwich Warrington Llangollen Canal B5395 WHITCHURCH Oswestry Wexham B5398 B5395 A41 B5476 A525 A41 A49 A41 Wem A525 WHITCHURCH A525 A495 A41 19

20 If you are approaching Whitchurch from the West (A525), approximately 1 mile after the junction with the A495 (Oswestry), the road is carried over the canal and you will find the entrance to Viking Afloat 100 yards past the canal bridge, on the left just 50 yards before the roundabout joining the Whitchurch bypass. BY RAIL: The nearest train station is Whitchurch, Shropshire and you will need to get a taxi from here to the base. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to FROM AIRPORTS: Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham airports are all 1 hour away. You will need to take the train to Crewe or Shrewsbury and then change at Whitchurch. There is no direct National Express coach to Whitchurch so you will need to take the coach to Nantwich (9.7 miles away) or Crewe (13 miles away) and then take the train. Please see for details on national coach travel. LOCAL ACCOMMODATION: Dodington Lodge Hall Dodington Whitchurch Telephone: Sedgeford House Sedgeford Whitchurch Telephone: LOCAL TAXIS: Halls Taxis telephone Telephone: Jacks Taxis Telephone: GROCERY STORES: The local Tesco Store is Whitelion Meadow telephone , 2.53 miles from marina, and there is a Sainsburys in Nantwich telephone , 20

21 CRUISING ROUTES FROM WHITCHURCH These cruising routes are intended as brief guides only, and more information can be found on our website at or by asking marina staff when you collect your boat. We recommend that you use these notes in conjunction with the Pearson s Guide, Canal Companion Welsh Waters or Nicholson s Guide, Four Counties and the Welsh Canals. Copies can be purchased from our booking office on , from our website or at the hire base on your arrival. 3 night weekend break along the Llangollen Canal and back: The start of the break involves a gentle cruise from the Whitchurch base to bridge 43 Platt Lane, which is 4 miles and has no locks. Then on the next day you will go to Chirk via Ellesmere, turning the boat round at Chirk. From Chirk you will head back to Hindford. This is 21 miles and has 2 locks. On the final day you cruise from Hindford back to the Whitchurch base. This will allow you to spend the evening in Whitchurch and sample one of the local pubs or restaurants before returning to the base in the morning. A midweek 4 night break: As with the 3 night break you will cruise from the base to Platt Lane on day 1, then through to Chirk on day 2. This is 18 miles and takes in 2 locks. On day 3 you will go from Chirk back up to Hindford. If you make an early start on day 3 you will be able to cross the Chirk aqueduct and have a bit more time at the magnificent Pontcysyllte aqueduct. This is 11 miles and has 2 locks. On the final day you will return from Hindford to the base at Whitchurch. One week trip through the Shropshire countryside: This is a relaxing week and follows the same route as the midweek break up to day 2. On day 3 you will cruise from Hindford to Trevor, with Chirk being the recommended lunch stop. This is 7.5 miles and has 2 locks. The next day you will go from Trevor to Llangollen, which is a simple day of 5 miles and no locks. This will give you a chance to visit and explore Llangollen itself. On day 5 it is time to head back to Whitchurch. You will travel back across Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts to Chirk and then onto Hindford. This is 12 miles and has two locks. Day 6 will allow you to cruise from Hindford to Frankton Junction and then onto Ellesmere, taking you 5 hours with no locks. The final day will see you travelling from Ellesmere past the boat base and on down to Grindley Brook where there is a flight of locks. Turn just before the locks and head back to the boat base ready to return the boat the next day. 21

22 GAILEY MARINA INFORMATION ADDRESS: Gailey Wharf TEL: Gailey FAX: ST19 5PR DIRECTIONS: BY ROAD: If you are approaching by the M6 motorway or from the east, exit the M6 at junction 12. Take the A5 westbound, heading towards Telford. After ½ mile you will pass a lay-by on the left followed by a speed camera. The boatyard entrance is on the left immediately after the speed camera road markings. If you miss it, continue ½ mile to the roundabout and backtrack. If you are approaching from the West take the A5 heading eastbound towards the M6 from the Gailey roundabout (the A449/A5 junction). After ½ mile you ll pass a petrol station on your left, look right for a round tower house. The boatyard entrance is on the right immediately after the canal bridge. BY RAIL: The nearest main line rail stations Staffs & Worcester Canal M6 13 are Wolverhampton (from the South) or Stafford (from the North). Both have taxi ranks and the boatyard is about A449 A5 Gailey Wharf 12 A449 M6 8 miles distance. The village of Penkridge has a local branch line rail station with infrequent connections from either Wolverhampton or Stafford, but there is no taxi rank. A5 A M6 A5 11A 11 There is a taxi service in the village centre. The boatyard is 3 miles distance. For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to 2 M A 22

23 FROM AIRPORTS: From Birmingham International and East Midlands take a National Express coach or train to either Stafford or Wolverhampton then taxi the last 7 miles to the Marina. Taxis should be waiting outside stations / coach depot. Please see www. nationalexpress.com for details on national coach travel. LOCAL ACCOMMODATION: Roman Way Corus Hotel Watling Street Hatherton Cannock Staffordshire WS11 1SH Telephone: Quality Hotel Stafford Pinfold Lane Penkridge Stafford Staffordshire ST19 5QP Telephone: LOCAL TAXI: Penkridge Cabs Telephone: GROCERY STORES: There are a number of stores based in nearby Cannock as follows: Kwik Save Stores Telephone: Sainsbury s Supermarkets Telephone: Tesco Telephone:

24 CRUISING ROUTES FROM GAILEY These cruising routes are intended as brief guides only, and more information can be found on our website at or by asking marina staff when you collect your boat. We recommend that you use these notes in conjunction with the Pearson s Guide, Canal Companion Stourport Ring or Nicholsons Guide, Severn, Avon & Birmingham, which are ideal for the week long trip from Gailey outlined or Pearson s Guide, Canal Companion Four Counties Ring or Nicholson s Guide, Four Counties and the Welsh Canals, which are ideal for the short break option. Copies of these guides can be purchased from our booking office on , from our website or at the hire base upon your arrival. 3 night short weekend break in Staffordshire: The start of the break gives you a straightforward lock free run to the village of Coven, which is 5 miles. On day 2 you go from Coven to Autherley Junction and then onto Norbury Junction. Here you turn round and go back to Gnosall Heath. This is 22 miles and has 2 locks. The next day you will go from Gnosall Heath back to Gailey where you may want to moore at the Hatherton Junction so that you can make the 40 minute trip back to the base in the morning. This part of the route is 19 miles long and has 2 locks. A midweek 4 night break: Again you would begin the route from Gailey and travel to Coven (5 miles and no locks). From Coven you will travel to the Norbury Junction on day 2, which is 19 miles and has 2 locks. On day 3 you go from Norbury Junction to Tyrley Wharf (Market Drayton) and then onto Gnosall. This is 25 miles and if you turn at Tyrley Wharf you will not need to descend down the flight of 5 locks at this junction. This will allow you to head back up to Gailey on day 4 via the Autherley and Hatherton Junction, mooring at Hatherton Junction so you can return to Gailey on day 5. One week trip from the Gailey base, down to Stourport and back: From Gailey you will travel to Coven on day 1 (5 miles and no locks), then on day 2 you will go to Swindon Village via Bratch Locks. This is 11 miles and has 13 locks. On day 3 you will cruise from Swindon Village to Kinver and then onto Wolverley. You will find moorings above and below the lock here. This is 9 miles and has 8 locks. The next day you will travel from Wolverley to Kidderminster where you may want to stop and explore. This is 3 miles and has 2 locks. From here it is only around 3 hours cruising to the Inland Port of Stourport on Severn and the Stourport Basin. There are 4 locks on the way. On day 5 you will continue from Stourport back to Kidderminster and then onto Kinver, which is 10 miles and has 9 locks. The next day will give you more locks than previously (13 locks) and will take you through to Wightwick. Our suggestion for day 7 is to cruise back past our base at Gailey and head for the town of Penkridge. You can turn round just after Filance Lock and take a stroll around the town. Then head back up to Gailey and either moor just below the final lock or near the base. This will allow for a leisurely hand over of the boat the next morning. 24

25 PAYMENT OF HOLIDAY HIRE CHARGES The final balance of holiday payment is due 8 weeks prior to the start date of the holiday. Please send any payment made by post to the booking office at the address shown on the back of this holiday guide. Payment may be made in pounds sterling only by any of the following methods: BY CHEQUE: Please make cheques payable to Viking Afloat and write the following details on the reverse of the cheque: the booking reference number, the start date of the holiday and the class of the boat. (Also include the name the booking was made in if it is not the same as that shown on the cheque). BY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD: Payments may be made by Switch or Delta debit cards, or by Visa or Mastercard. Fill in the payment slip overleaf, including the card holder s signature, and send it to the booking office. A surcharge of 1% of the payment made will be applied if a credit card is used. BY DIRECT TRANSFER FROM YOUR BANK: Your bank will advise you how to do this ensure that the bank quotes the booking number on correspondence. Our bank details are as follows: The Royal Bank of Scotland, Birmingham, Colmore Row Branch 79/83 Colmore Row Birmingham Account number: B3 2AP Sort code: It will help us to identify your payment if you notify us by post, fax or that you have used this payment method. NOTE: in some cases charges may be applied by your bank for this method of payment for which you will be responsible. NOTES ON PAYMENT FROM OVERSEAS All payments are required in Sterling. Payment in any other currency and/or in a non-uk bank incurs bank charges, for which you will be responsible. The best exchange rates are probably obtained by using a debit or credit card, for which you can use the payment form. Alternatively, your bank will be able to make a payment by direct transfer, as above. 25

26 GROCERIES/ PAYMENT FORM You may want to complete your holiday grocery shopping on the internet at the below sites: Sainsbury Tesco You must specify when ordering that you need your groceries delivering to your start base between and 2pm on your holiday start date and call the booking office to notify them. If you are unable to order or purchase provisions before you arrive at the base you may wish to purchase a starter pack containing a selection of items for breakfast on your first morning (except at the Rugby base who have a Tesco store next door to the marina). Your request for a starter pack must reach us at least 14 days prior to the start of your holiday. The order will then be waiting for you at the base on your arrival. You will be asked to pay for these when you get to the boatyard in sterling. 2-4 people 6-8 people Cereal 1 box or 1 variety pack 2 boxes or 2 variety packs Butter 250 grams 500 grams Cheese 250 grams 500 grams Eggs 6 12 Tea bags Coffee (instant) 100 grams 100 grams Orange juice 1 litre 2 litres Sugar 1 kg 1 kg Milk (semi-skimmed) 1 litre 2 litres Jam (strawberry) 1 1 Marmalade 1 1 Bread 1 2 Bacon 250 grams 500 grams Cost (approximately) (approximately) Prices are charged at the rates relevant at the time of departure. 26

27 PAYMENT/GROCERY ORDER FORM Booking Number: GROCERIES - Please indicate which pack(s) you require (payment on arrival). 2-4 people 6-8 people None BALANCE OF HOLIDAY PAYMENT TO MY CARD: (Please tick type of card) DELTA SWITCH MASTERCARD VISA Card Number Expiry Date Issue No. (Switch) MY BOOKING IS ON: Boat Class Commencing Date AMOUNT TO BE CHARGED CARDHOLDER DETAILS Name Address Signature Please detach and return to: Viking Afloat, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester, WR1 2RS 27

28 Viking Afloat Lowesmoor Wharf Lowesmoor Worcester WR1 2RS Telephone: Fax: Website: