MONDAY We depart in the morning and head to Northwich for a ride on the magnificent Anderton Boat Lift. Originally built in 1875, the structure lifts passengers aboard the elegant Edwin Clark boat from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal high above. A visitor centre houses an exhibition focusing on the lift’s history together with its control centre. We also enjoy a lunch of soup and sandwiches here, before transferring to the hotel to be greeted with tea/coffee and Bara Brith.
TUESDAY Today we head to Anglesey where we have time at leisure to explore the quaint, historic streets of Beaumaris, with its stunning waterfront and mountain views, and impressively long pier. In the afternoon we enjoy an hour long cruise around Puffin Island, a bird sanctuary and nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds. Look out for common guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and of course, puffins, with informative and entertaining commentary along the way. (N.B. It is approx a 5 minute walk to Beaumaris Pier for the cruise. Passengers may get wet due to sea spray. In extreme weather if Puffin Island is deemed unnavigable, the Menai Strait cruise will be offered as an alternative, weather permitting)
WEDNESDAY From the pretty town of Llangollen we join the Rheilffordd Llangollen Railway for a nostalgic train ride. Next we take a trip on the Llangollen Canal, the country's biggest navigable aqueduct, known as the "Stream in the Sky".
THURSDAY We pay a visit to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. A marvellously self-contained world where you can still walk around its locks, docks and warehouses and visit its forge, stables and workers cottages. There's so much to explore from the handsome Victorian buildings, which house the museum's fascinating displays, to the locks and moorings, home to colourful historic and visiting narrow boats. In the afternoon we enjoy time at leisure in Chester.
FRIDAY On our return journey we take a break in Buxton, before continuing homeward.