Barton Marina on the Trent and Mersey Canal in the peaceful and beautiful surroundings of rural East Staffordshire, near Barton under Needwood.

FROM PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPES TO KEY TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Whether you’re a nature lover seeking beautiful scenery and wildlife encounters, an adventure enthusiast looking for exciting tourist destinations and activities, or simply someone who enjoys cruising through charming towns and cities, Barton Marina has you covered.

With a near endless choice in cruising routes including some of Britain’s most popular and picturesque waterways, if you love exploring the network, Barton Marina is the place to moor your boat.

Keep reading to find out some of our best recommended places to stop along the way when you’re cruising from Barton Marina, including pubs, cafes, landmarks and interesting things to spot, as well as multiple day options for those who want to extend their cruising experience.

 

 

 

 

THE FOUR COUNTIES RING

A popular canal ring which offers a variety of scenery and cruising for a narrowboat holiday, taking in the four counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands.

From Barton, enjoy a day or two travelling to Great Haywood Junction where you’ll begin your Journey on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal heading towards Autherly Junction. You’ll then enter the Shopshire Union Canal, heading north towards Barbridge Junction and making a right turn onto the Middlewich arm of the Shropshire Union. Once you reach Middlewich it’s another right turn onto the Trent and Mersey Canal, which returns you to Great Haywood Junction via the Potteries.

FOR THINGS TO DO

Our favourite cruising routes through cities and attractions.

Heading south on the Trent and Mersey will take you onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) into the bustling city of Birmingham and experience Little Venice.

Families love taking a few days cruise on the Trent and Mersey Canal from Great Haywood to Fazeley. From there it’s just a short walk into Tamworth, where you will find a bowling alley, cinema, one of the largest indoor Snow Dome attractions in the UK and Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Heading north on the Trent & Mersey will take you to The Potteries is the world capital of ceremics, an industrial area which is now the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Here you’ll find factory tours, museums and pottery workshops giving an insight into the history and tradition of this craft.

Lichfield is an awe-inspiring city that’s well worth a visit, with mismatched architectural styles detailing a long and rich history, and its famous three-spired cathedral – the only one in the country.

PLAN YOUR VISIT: For a long weekend or midweek adventure.

Fradley Junction via the Trent and Mersey Canal – Taking just under 11 miles there and back, Fradley Junction is well worth a visit. From Barton Marina, travel southwest on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 5 miles, 3¾ furlongs and 7 locks to Fradley Junction.

 

Penkridge on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal – About a 55 mile round trip, this makes a lovely leisurely cruise through the week. Travel southwest from Barton Marina on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 5 miles, 3¾ furlongs and 7 locks to Fradley Junction, then travel northwest on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 12 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 5 locks to Great Haywood Junction. Travel southwest from Great Haywood Junction on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal for 10 miles, 1 furlong and 6 locks to Penkridge.

 

Stone via the Trent and Mersey Canal – About a 54 mile round journey, a visit to the old market town of Stafford is a great way to spend a leisurely weekend. From Barton Marina travel southwest on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 5 miles, 3¾ furlongs and 7 locks to Fradley Junction, then travel northwest on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 12 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 5 locks to Great Haywood Junction. From Great Haywood, travel northwest on the Trent and Mersey Canal for 9 miles, 7¾ furlongs to Stone.

If you’d like to break up your journey, why not stay at Great Haywood Marina’s visitor moorings? Annual moorers at Barton Marina get to visit for free!

 

Barton Marina offers canal boaters an ideal location to moor their boat, whether that’s short-term, long-term, or residential.

At the heart of the UK canal network, Barton Marina is home to over 300 boats, all of which enjoy secure electric gates on the jetties and mains water, changing facilities, toilets and showers, docking-repair and boatyard services, and the friendly The Marina Café. For more details see here

The Marina is also home to a host of restaurants, cafés, independent retailers and grocers, so you have everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay. For more details see here

Visitors, coming via land or water, can also experience shopping at a range of small, quality independent shops, enjoy a meal at the Waterfront or a stroll around the lakeside walks.

Bus:       TBC

Train:    TBC

 

Other attractions in the area: Please see bottom of page

 

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