Bases

2009 - 2010: Heritage Marina, Macclesfield Canal

(The following information is from Ownerships. Further details will be added in the Owners' Area as they become available).

Address: The Marina, Kent Green, Scholar Green, Cheshire, Via Stoke On Trent ST7 3JZ

Telephone: 01782 785700

Travel

Situated on the Maccelsfield, near the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal, Heritage Narrowboats is easy to find, once you find the turning off the A34! On your map look for the A34 between Congleton and Kidsgrove, just north of Stoke.

If you are heading north, stay on the A34 keeping an eye out for an interesting looking thatched pub called The Bleeding Wolf on your left-hand side. After passing this pub, a short distance along the road is another pub on the left called The Travellers Rest. Once you pass this pub, keep a look out on your right for a small shop called The Village Store.

On the brow of the next rise is a turning to the right, sign-posted 'Mow Cop one and three quarter miles'. Turn right here into Station Road.Stay on this road for approx. half a mile, past The Rising Sun and cross the Macclesfield Canal. Take the next turning left, by Wharf Plumbing. The entrance to Heritage is about 100m on your left. Keep an eye out for some
blue gates.

(At the time of typing I do not really have a landmark for the turn off coming south, you might like to try the above or....)

Coming from the north on the A34 keep an eye open on your left for a car dealership with a restaurant located just after it, turn left immediately after this restaurant. Once on this road keep straight ahead for around 2 miles, the road will then enter a series of bends and cross the canal. Once across the canal there is a sign indicating a level crossing at a turn to your left, DO NOT TURN HERE, but keep an eye out for some blue gates soon after it on your right, this is Heritage Narrowboats.

Rail: The nearest station is Kidsgrove (2 miles).

Bus: Not straightforward, visit Transport Direct for more information.

Taxi:

Map, Heritage

2007 - 2009: Norbury Junction - Shropshire Union Canal

Address Norbury Wharf Ltd, The Wharf, Norbury Junction, Stafford, ST20 0PN

Telephone 01785 284 292

Travel

Rail: The nearest stations are Stafford (10 miles) and Telford (15 miles).

Bus: Not straightforward, visit Transport Direct for more information.

Taxi:

Stafford
Stafford is a major station with taxis usually available on a rank. Advance booking is not normally necessary or even possible, unless arriving early in the morning or late at night. Operators who may accept bookings include:

  • Aerobright: 01785 244444
  • Anthonys: 01785 252255
  • Evans: 01785 255155

Telford
Telford Central has a taxi rank - or a cab office - within 100 metres. Check availability before travelling, and pre-book if necessary. Consider using the following local operators:

  • Oakengates: 01952 616161
  • Telford: 01952 610808
  • Central Cars: 01952 501050

Food and drink

Junction Arms, Norbury Junction, Staffordshire, ST20 0PN. Next to the canal at Norbury Junction. Tel: 01785 284288

Accommodation

Wharf Cottage and narrowboat b&b. At Norbury Junction.

The Royal Victoria Hotel. St Mary's Street, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7AB (6 miles)

Goldstone Hall. Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2NA (12 miles)

Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel. Stafford, ST16 1JJ (12 miles)

2005 - 2007: Stockton Top Marina, Grand Union Canal

Address Stockton Top Marina, Rugby Road, Stockton, CV47 8HN

Travel

Rail: The nearest stations are Rugby (10 miles), Leamington Spa (10.5 miles), Warwick (14.8 miles) and Banbury (17.1 miles).

Bus: It appears that Stagecoach Midland Red run routes 63 and 64 from Rugby to Stockton. We have not tried this method of getting to the marina so we don't know if they will stop by the Boat Inn. If you have tried this route please let us know.

Update Comment from one of Rufford's owners:- It is only the buses that call at Stockton village that pass the marina. Those going via Long Itchington and Birdingbury do not. Also the nearest registered bus stop is in the village itself which I guess is nearly a mile away. Unlikely that a bus would stop for you to get on at the pub, and apparently it is very much down to the driver as to whether he will agree to let you alight there.

Update 2, August 2005 There is now a Stagecoach bus stop sign on a post outside the Boat Inn which is for buses in both directions; this would suggest buses now stop outside the pub.

Warwickshire County Council bus maps and timetables.

County Map

Rugby bus map

63/64 Timetable

Taxi: No personal knowledge or use of local taxis to the marina yet but the following companies were found on the internet. There is also a taxi rank at Rugby Station. Feedback or suggestions are welcome.

  • Rugby Cab Co, Rugby - Tel: 01788 546 666
  • People Express, Rugby - Tel: 01788 565 888
  • Executive Cars, Southam - Tel: 01926 817 878
  • Century Cardalls, Southam - Tel: 01926 812 145

Air: The nearest airport is Coventry (10.8 miles).

Food and drink

The Boat Inn, Stockton - Next to the A426 bridge over the canal next to Stockton Top Marina. 100yds. Tel: 01926 812349

The Blue Lias, Stockton - Near the bottom of the Stockton flight of the Grand Union, towards Birmingham. 0.5 mile. Tel: 01926 812249

 

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