UKvacationsAfloat

04/08/2024

Ahoy there! Summer bargain anyone? We're offering 25% OFF remaining 7 Night holidays in August* to readers of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Cut Both Ways magazine which members will have received this week.
Just find our ad in the magazine, scan the QR code and use the ad page number in a PROMO CODE in the form PAGExx when booking.
Contact Us for further information. Saturday starts from Gailey Wharf, fuel extra.

31/07/2024

***NAVIGATION CLOSURE SHROPSHIRE UNION AT AUDLEM***

***UPDATE Thursday: a crane is required which will be onsite this weekend. Next Canal & River Trust update Saturday AM***

Apparently due to vandalism of Lock 10 in the Audlem flight. Full Canal & River Trust notice here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29051-lock-10-audlem-lock-flight-shropshire-union-canal

24/07/2024

***CLOSURE TOMORROW (THURSDAY July 25th 9-4) Lock 17 Fradley***
This popular spot will be conjested tomorrow for certain. The Black Country Ring route is not affected - the lock is the first AFTER Fradley Junction on the T&M - but expect passage to be slow.

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29002-lock-17-junction-lock-fradley-junction-alrewas-trent-and-mersey-canal

20/07/2024

***CLOSURE Shropshire Union Canal at Lock 13 Tilstone due to a sunken boat***

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28967-lock-13-tilstone-su-034-002-tilstone-shropshire-union-canal

19/07/2024

***Temporary closure at Ebstree Lock 27 on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal on Monday 22nd July, from 10am to 2pm only***

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28962-lock-27-ebstree-lock-staffs-and-worcester-canal

12/07/2024

***Navigation CLOSURE notice***

From Canal & River Trust: “A large tree has come down from the offside of the canal and has completely blocked navigation just below Lapley Wood Bridge 17. Towpath is also closed”

Full notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28899-below-lapley-wood-bridge-17

28/06/2024

In the run-up to the general election next Thursday, I thought it was worth posting the latest edition of the Canal & River Trust Boaters update. 
The canal system plays a key role in environmental conservation, water management and by no means least of all contributes to the positive mental health and well-being of its users and the general public.
The CRT comes in for a huge amount of criticism on many boating forums but I for one would like to trumpet their maintenance efforts and, most recently, rapid response to several infrastructure issues in our local area. This they do with tight financial constraints and minimal support from central government.
Let’s hope on July 5th a new government moves funding for this relatively unsung national resource up the priority list in recognition of its contribution to the nation.


https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/the-boaters-update/boaters-update-28-june-2024

28/06/2024

***LOCK FAILURE - COLWICH***
Affecting the T&M/Staffordshire Ring south of Great Haywood. Canal & River Trust notice here:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28722-colwich-lock-21-trent-and-mersey-canal

24/06/2024

This is great news and a testament to the dedication of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust team and their army of volunteers

We're so excited! We've got planning approval for the Cricket Lane to London Road section of the Lichfield Canal. 🥳👏🏼

Find out all about it and see all the plans on our website! (Link in comments.)

21/06/2024

***CLOSURE TRENT & MERSEY*** at Weston Lock, full Canal & River Trust post here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28656-weston-lock-4-trent-and-mersey-canal

14/06/2024

14/06/2024

Another stoppage south of Kinver - tree down. Details here:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28581-tree-down-between-wolverley-lock-and-wolverely-court-lock-staffs-and-worc-canal

13/06/2024

With the Four Counties Ring seemingly beleaguered with stoppages this Spring, it’s time to consider alternative out-and-back routes.
The Caldon Canal is an arm of the Trent and Mersey Canal linking Etruria with the industrial wharf of Froghall in the Staffordshire moorlands. Take in the Staffordshire china pottery museums, the charming market town of Leek and the Churnet Valley steam railway.
See our detailed blog on this alternative to the for your 2024 canal boat holiday here https://www.ukvacationsafloat.com/the-caldon-canal/
UKvacationsAfloat.com
NEW VIEWS EVERYDAY

11/06/2024

Posting this 2017 photo of my better half Enza Barbieri-Renshaw by way of a thank you to Canal & River Trust for the sterling work repairing and reopening Brick Kiln Lock just north of our home base at Gailey Wharf in such a short time. Also their assistance with keeping traffic flowing during repair further alleviated disruption on this busy section of the Staffs & Worcester.

14/05/2024

Hi - we need your help!

We're about to start funding bids for the next stages of the Lichfield Canal and we need to show the amount of support we have.

We currently have 2,410 Trust members but we have 7,826 Facebook followers. We would love it if every one of our followers became a member of the Trust, it would help us so much!

It's only £15 per year for adults - that's £1.25 a month (and you don't need to volunteer)!

https://lhcrt.org.uk/membership/membership-for-individuals/

14/05/2024

The Staffordshire or Black Country Ring shows off the canal network in both it's brutalist, industrial splendour and it's away from it all, lazy countryside by-water tranquility.
It's the perfect way to spend a summer stay-cay!

See our blog post https://www.ukvacationsafloat.com/cruising-the-staffordshire-black-country-ring/ for details on how you can spend a week or more cruising the canals of the English Midlands.
UKvacationsAfloat.com
NEW VIEWS EVERYDAY

10/05/2024

***PLANNED NAVIGATION CLOSURE LOWER SHROPPIE***

Significant repair work required at Tyrley impacting navigation...

29/03/2024

🐣LOOKING TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS THIS EASTER? We’ve got space for 2 families starting this weekend from £1450 for 7 nights.

Contact Us or use EASTERDEAL at checkout and the only bored they’ll be is ONBOARD!🥙⚓️
UKvacationsAfloat.com
NEW VIEWS EVERYDAY

09/03/2024

On our way to Christleton this weekend. Sorry we won't make it all the way to Ellesmere Port but time is against us. What we miss will be covered by van towards the end of the week. Any orders please text 07491 149149 or flag us down as we approach.

11/02/2024

Lots of fun to be had, and for a great cause…

Get your tickets for our quiz night! Very loosely, and I do mean loosely, based on Monopoly.

https://www.facebook.com/share/CX96LS1wJxBSKotj/

https://lhcrt.org.uk/event/manic-monopoly-quiz-night/

09/02/2024

***Navigation Closure***
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Cnl
Location: Bridge 81, Otherton Lane Bridge, Staffs & Worcester Canal

Thursday 8 February 2024 09:00 until further notice

We've had to close the navigation and towpath at Bridge 81, Otherton Lane Bridge, on the Staffs & Worcester Canal as there has been a bridge strike. There is a significant amount of bricks and debris in the canal, which needs to be removed before we open navigation again. We will arrange for contractors to remove the debris from the canal.

CRT will update on Monday 12th February.

03/11/2023

22/09/2023

***THIS WEEKEND AT Huddlesford Heritage Gathering: 23-24 September 2023 LICHFIELD***

A great chance to see a collection of heritage narrowboats and canal boat traders all in one beautiful spot.

In support of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust

02/08/2023

***Ongoing problems with the Elsan at Gailey Wharf***
Check this link for updates

https://mandrillapp.com/track/click/10513099/canalrivertrust.org.uk?p=eyJzIjoidC00b2F1bzdDdHR2OHZnOS14ZTVUQ1dEeUJZIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjoxMDUxMzA5OSxcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2NhbmFscml2ZXJ0cnVzdC5vcmcudWtcXFwvbm90aWNlXFxcLzI1ODI0XFxcL2dhaWxleS1lbHNhblwiLFwiaWRcIjpcIjBiOWNhZTk3ZmQ1OTQ4OTI5NGVlMThjNTY2NTEwNDYxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiMDZiODNhZWUyNzUxYTY4N2VlMTMzNWEyZjJlYWJhN2M3YjU2NjZhNFwiXX0ifQ

31/07/2023

Although nowhere near us, I love a steam railway and these guys social media game is full on.
If you’re touring the UK this summer, Swanage is a beautiful part of the country with a rich railway enthusiast heritage.
Check out their page. All aboard!

☀️Service update - Monday 31st of July☀️

We have a large pre booked group travelling on the 12:10 Steam departure from Norden to Swanage. We expect this service to be busy with less availability than our other departures for the rest of the day.

The good news is that we will be running a two train service during the day and throughout the summer. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays we will be running a steam service as well as our heritage mainline DMU all the way to Wareham Station. On Mondays, Fridays and Sundays we will be running a steam service alongside a heritage diesel service using one of our resident class 33 diesels between Swanage and Norden.

This means there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of our Kids for a Quid offer which is running all summer long until the 3rd of September!

To find out more about our events and offers or to book tickets, visit our website - https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk

26/07/2023

This may be the worst kept secret, but we're so excited to finally formally tell you that another essential element in the restoration of the Lichfield Canal will be built and paid for by Persimmon Homes.

We're talking about the bridge at Cricket Lane, which will link Borrowcop Locks Canal Park with Gallows Reach.

This will be the third bridge that Persimmon has provided, following on from the two at St John's Grange.

Huge thanks to Persimmon! 🙏

More info: https://lhcrt.org.uk/2023/07/24/developers-help-with-lichfield-canal-bridge/

12/07/2023

11/07/2023

11/07/2023

***CLOSURE NORTH OF GAILEY WHARF*** Thursday and Friday July 13/14

From CRT: "We are having to restrict navigation at Otherton Lock on the Staffs & Worcester Canal. The bottom end gate has broken and requires a repair.

We will be manning the lock until 3pm today (11/07/23) We will also be manning the lock from 9am to 12noon tomorrow (12/07/23) manually letting boats through.

A full closure is then required on Thursday 13th July & Friday 14th July, so our Reactive Response team can complete the emergency repair. The closure notice for this can be found here:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/25679-lock-36-otherton-lock-staffordshire-and-worcester-canal

06/06/2023

Trial changes to increase availability of visitor mooring in Central Birmingham to begin July 3rd

We're trialing changes to the moorings in Birmingham city centre.