Canals, Steam & Historic Chester

DAY 1

We arrive in Chester and make our way to the Mill Hotel & Spa located alongside the canal. In the afternoon we enjoy time to explore our new surroundings and can take a stroll to the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens before our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast today, we experience one of Robert Aickman's 'Seven Wonders of the Canals' at the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift where 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 cruise on the River Dee followed by time at leisure in the city's charming streets of black-and-white houses, Roman museum, beautiful Cathedral, and famous Rows. You can walk below the towering walls, marvel at the ingenious Northgate Staircase Locks, or idle away a moment watching the boats in Chester Basin before reconvening for our evening meal.

DAY 3

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, and we indulge in a sumptuous cream tea on our journey. Afterwards, we continue by road to Llangollen with time to look around the delightful town before a thrilling return train ride along the beautiful Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley to Corwen.

DAY 4

After breakfast, we travel by train to Port Sunlight, the village that William Hesketh Lever built for his Sunlight Soap Factory workers in 1888, where we enjoy free time to explore the many attractions including the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery. After lunch, we continue 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 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to beautiful Cheshire as we make our way homeward.

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