Cruising Base

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2023 Cruising Base

Posted:  12/03/2023 14:56


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Kings Orchard Marina

Our base for the 2022 and the 2023 seasons is Kings Orchard Marina on the Coventry Canal near Lichfield, close to the historic junction with the Trent & Mersey at Fradley. 

This base offers a wide variety of routes including the Black Country, the Warwickshire Ring and good access to the City of Coventry. You also have the Trent & Mersey (either east or west) or a gentle cruise with few locks along the Ashby Canal.  

For the more experienced crew with 2 weeks to cruise, there’s the East Midlands Ring, a rural route which includes Foxton staircase locks and Fradley Junction.
Kings Orchard Marina,
Broad Lane,
Huddlesford,
Staffordshire
WS13 8SP

Phone: 01543 433608


Directions

The A38 offers the easiest access. Leave the A38 onto the A5192, Cappers Lane turning east (away from Lichfield). Take the first left and follow country lane. Follow country lane over canal bridge and, with The Plough on your right, bear immediately left looking out for brown tourist sign directing you to marina entrance on your left.

For Sat Nav users, we advise you use the postcode for the Plough pub that is a 3 minute drive from the marina: WS13 8PY.

What 3 Words: ///clumped.daydream.yappy

Some Suggested Routes

Note that these routes are based on a seven day hire and cruising for 8 hours a day.

All times are estimates and we often find that the actual time required is longer than the estimates. You are responsible for managing your time while in charge of Savoy Hill

Going North

Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)
Etruria (Stoke-on-Trent)
Congleton Winding Hole (Macclesfield Canal)
Etruria (Stoke-on-Trent)
Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)

  • 92 Miles

  • 48 Locks

  • 6 Days

Going East

Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)
Nottingham
Langley Mill (Top or Erewash Canal) [Optional]
Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)

  • 108 Miles

  • 76 Locks

  • 7 Days

The Birmingham Canal Navigations

Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)
Great Heywood
Wolverhampton
Shortheath
Bloxwich
Dow End Canal
Rushall Locks
Perry Bar
Gravelly Hill
Fazeley
Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)

  • 89 Miles

  • 90 Locks

  • 6 Days

Stratford Upon Avon

Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)
Stratford-upon-Avon
Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)

  • 98 Miles

  • 128 Locks

  • 7 Days

East to Coventry

Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)
Coventry
Snarestone Wharf (Ashby Canal)
Kings Orchard Marina (Litchfield)

  • 95 Miles

  • 4 Locks

  • 5 Days

You can build you plan and see the stimated time with Canal Plan AC