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Rent a canal boat holiday marinas & locations.

A GUIDE TO USING LOCKS

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Cruising the Canal Boat.

The National Sea Life Centre
The Sea Life Centre - Visit from Alvechurch or Worcester Marina.

Chirk Aqueduct on the Llangollen
The Chirk Aqueduct - Visit from Blackwater Meadow Marina.

We have 8 marinas located throughout the United Kingdom. Our choice of marinas means you can select the holiday destination to suit you:-

Aldermaston Wharf on the Kennet and Avon canal in Berkshire (Map)

Alvechurch Marina on the Worcester and Birmingham canal in Worcestershire (Map)

From Alvechurch you can visit the Black Country Museum,Cadbury's world,Warwick castle,Drayton Manor Theme Park and the Tamworth Snowdome.

Anderton Marina on the Trent and Mersey canal in Cheshire (Map)

From Anderton travel on the 60ft Anderton Boat Lift to the Trent and Mersey Canal, tour the city of Chester with a Roman or shop in the heart of Manchester.

Blackwater Meadow on the Llangollen canal in Shropshire (Map)

Cruise in the spectacular countryside of the Dee Valley, marvel at two aqueducts the Chirk and the magnificent Pontcysyllte. Visit Llangollen home to the world famous Eisteddfod.

Gayton Marina on the Grand Union canal in Northamptonshire (Map)

Set in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside close to The Upper Nene Valley cruise the Grand Union Canal all the way to London.

Hilperton Marina on the Kennet and Avon canal in Wiltshire (Map)

Visit Bath for The Roman Baths and Pump Rooms, cruise to Bradford on Avon for its wealth of antique shops, travel over the River Avon on the Dundas Aqueduct.

Union Wharf on the Grand Union canal in Leicestershire (Map)

Cruise down the Grand Union which meanders through some peaceful and rural countryside. pass through the Foxton Locks and visit Leicester for the National Space Centre.

Worcester Marina on the Worcester and Birmingham canal in Worcestershire (Map)

Lying on the banks of the beautiful River Severn, visit the ancient City and it's Cathedral, take a tour of the Royal Worcester Porcelain Visitor Centre.

If you have never been on a canal boat before and are concerned about operating the locks don't worry your trainer will explain it all to you. Locks are part of the canal boat holiday that the whole family can be involved in, especially the kids.

What are locks? They are used to raise or lower canal boats from one level to another.

Where are locks found? Almost all UK canals have locks of some sort, some are single and are spaced out some are close together and are known as flights or staircases.

How do locks work? They have two sets of gates one at the top and one at the bottom with a chamber in between. Locks have openings known as sluice gates and it is by opening these that allow the water into or out of the chamber, this will then raise or lower the water level.

Going up - Open the lock gates and take your boat in the chamber and close the gate behind you. Open the sluice gate using your windlass, a special tool or key, which will allow water to flow in and the water level will rise. When the water level is the same in the chamber as in the canal ahead open the gates and take the boat out. Close both the sluice gates and lock gate behind you.

Going down - Open the lock gates and take your boat in the chamber then close the gate behind you. Open the sluice gate using your windlass, a special tool or key, which will allow water to flow out and the water level will fall. When the water level is the same in the chamber as in the canal ahead open the gates and take the boat out. Close both the sluice gates and lock gate behind you.

How long does it take? Passing through a lock will take approximately 15 minutes

Is there any general rules to remember? Water flows downhill and the lock gates will be closed against the pressure of the water they will not open until the level is equal on both sides.

Be considerate of others if the lock is set in favour of another boat let them through first this also will save water.

Enjoy yourselves as once you get to grips with them locks are all part of the fun of a canal boat holiday.

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