Trent & Mersey Canal
Trent & Mersey Canal boat hire, direct from owners
Cheshire salt country, the Anderton Boat Lift and the long climb over Harecastle. Narrowboats booked straight from their owners.
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Where to cruise on the Trent & Mersey
Anderton Boat Lift
A working Victorian lift that drops boats 50 feet to the River Weaver. Book a passage well ahead in summer.
Middlewich to Northwich
Flashes, wide skies and easy locks. A comfortable weekend out and back with time to stop.
Harecastle Tunnel
2,926 yards, one way at a time, with tunnel keepers controlling entry. Low headroom, so mind the chimney.
Fradley Junction
A classic canal crossroads with a lock flight, a nature reserve and a good place to turn for home.
The Trent & Mersey is managed by the Canal & River Trust.
Trent & Mersey hire, the practical bits
Do I need a licence to hire a boat?
No. The owner holds the boat's licence and the hire endorsement that lets it be hired out. You just turn up and cruise.
Do I need experience?
No. Every owner runs a hands-on handover before you set off, covering steering, mooring, locks and the safety kit on board.
How is BoatStays different from a hire fleet?
You book the owner's own boat and deal with them directly. They know the water, the moorings and the good pubs, and you get their number for the whole trip.
Do I need to book tunnels and lifts?
Harecastle is convoy-controlled by keepers on the day. The Anderton Boat Lift needs booking in advance, and your owner can help you plan the timing.
Headroom is tight in places on this canal. Your owner will tell you what your boat clears before you go.