Canals, Steam & Historic Chester

DAY 1

We arrive in Chester where our hotel is conveniently situated opposite the railway station. In the afternoon we can take a stroll to the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens before our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast we travel by train to Ellesmere Port to discover the colourful world of Roses & Castles at the National Waterways Museum. We enjoy a guided tour of the large collection of narrow boats, other canal craft, and recreated workshops and there is time for further exploration at leisure before we return to Chester by train.

DAY 3

We experience one of Robert Aickman’s ‘Seven Wonders of the Canals’ at the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift where, after taking light refreshments of tea/coffee and cake, we trace the history of canal carrying and engineering and take the boat trip to descend the lift and cruise the River Weaver. We return to Chester in the afternoon and enjoy a 30-minute cruise on the River Dee followed by free time at leisure in the city’s charming streets of black-and-white houses, its Roman museum, beautiful Cathedral, and the famous Rows. Walk the towpath below the towering walls, marvel at the massive and ingenious Northgate Staircase Locks, idle away a moment watching the boats in Chester Basin. There’s something to see at every turn in Chester.

DAY 4

Today our private coach takes us to the Llangollen Canal for a breathtaking aerial cruise across another of the 'Seven Wonders', the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Crossing 126ft above the River Dee, it is the highest and longest aqueduct in Britain and a World Heritage site. We continue by road to Llangollen with time to look around the delightful town before a thrilling return steam train ride along the beautiful Dee Valley to Corwen.

DAY 5

We bid farewell to beautiful Cheshire as we make our way homeward.

B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner