April Cruises
Caldon Canal Hireboat
01782 634699
 info@aprilcruises.co.uk 		Canal Cruising with April Cruisers

A wide choice of cruising routes.
The Caldon Canal, The Cheshire Ring, The Four Counties Ring, The Black Country Ring.

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From her mooring on the Caldon Canal the ‘April’ is within easy cruising distance of the towns of Cheddleton and Leek on the edge of the Peak District, passing through beautiful countryside towards the terminal end of the Caldon Canal at Frogall. For those who enjoy walking, this part of the canal offers many opportunities to explore the countryside on paths that provide stunning scenery. In addition the journey along the Caldon takes you past the traditional ‘watering holes’ of the Holybush and the Boat Inn where supplies of real ales, good food and friendly atmospheres provide an ideal respite to your days cruising.

In contrast the ‘April’ offers access to the historical industrial centre of the Potteries as the Caldon heads toward Etruria junction. Within a short cruising time the Caldon meets with the Trent and Mersey canal providing access to the Four Counties and the Cheshire Rings. This part of the canal gives a sense of bygone days when British canal systems were used as a means of industrial transport. There is a wide choice of historical towns and buildings including museums and factory shops to visit, the most famous being Wedgwood’s where you can buy items from the factory shop or take a tour of the factory itself. All in all the history of ’the potteries’ is everywhere.

Sleeping aboard the ‘April’ is a pleasure in itself, waking up in the morning to the sound of busy wildlife and the water lapping against the hull of the boat. You may be worried about manoeuvring a lengthy narrowboat but you needn’t be, our boat is easy to handle. Before you set out on your own you will receive as much tuition as you need and by the end of your holiday you and your family will be experts.
Your holiday starts at our rendezvous point, The Foaming Quart in Norton Green, Stoke on Trent. The Foaming Quart is owned by Philip Evans and is just minutes away from the ‘April's’ mooring on the Caldon Canal. Philip and his staff will be more than willing to provide a friendly welcome to you after your journey and offers a place where you can freshen up, enjoy some refreshment and have a bar meal if required, before boarding the ’April’ and the start your holiday in full.

Whilst at the Foaming Quart you will be met and welcomed by representatives from April Cruises. When fully refreshed you will be taken to the ‘April’ where you will receive all the instruction you need to prepare you for your holiday.

Parking facilities for up to two vehicles is available and there is a purpose built landing stage from which you can safely transfer your belongings and crew on to the ’April’.

At this time you will be introduced to the facilities the ’April’ has to offer and full instruction in terms of mechanical and electrical equipment will be given.

Before departure you will be asked to sign a handover check sheet which ensures that you have received, and are happy with, the facilities available and the instruction given.

For those who have little or no experience of our canal system, a member of April Cruises will travel with you for a short distance in order to give full steering and lock experience and re-enforce how simple cruising the canals can be.

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