2000 Miles of Interconnected Man-Made Canals in the UK

Wandering Duck

The Canals

- 2000 miles of interconnected man-made Canals in the UK

- The original transport network for cargo before the railways

- More boats on the canal now than the Industrial Revolution days

- “Locks” were built as steps to take the boats up and down hill through a series of chambers. Locks were used where aqueducts or tunnels were not viable.

About Wandering Duck

- 2 Year old business

- Husband and Wife team: Mark & Ruth met whilst travelling around the world

- 2 & 3 Night canal boat tours for individuals

- Wandering Duck is the only canal boat tour catering for budget travellers

The Boat

- 21m long x 2m wide traditional Narrowboat: A type of barge only found in the UK

- Maximum of 8 guests in 2x 4-berth bunk cabins

- 2 bathrooms with good hot showers

- Central heating

- Comfortable lounge and kitchen

- Outdoor decks front and back; enough space for everyone to be outside

Other Facilities

- Guitar

- Ipod dock and stereo system in lounge

- Books and games

- Canadian Canoe (3 person)

- Honesty Bar and real ale hand pump! Help yourself to wine or pull your own pint from the beer pump (local real ale) and pay us at the end of the tour.

What We Do

- Have a go at steering the 69ft long narrowboat, navigating locks and narrow bridges - Learn how to work the 200 year old locks and work as a team to set the locks ready for the boat’s passage.

- Unique opportunity to interact with the locals, many of whom live on their boats.

- Optional activities include walks, canoeing (extra £6 per person), course fishing

Where Are We?

- All tours start either in or close to the centre of Manchester

- Great way to get to the Peak District National Park

- All our tours are one-way and are 2 or 3 nights in duration

- Manchester is a popular UK gateway, but also only 2 hours by train from London

- All tours start and finish within walking distance of local train stations

Staff Discount – Sales Staff receive 50% discount on all 2 & 3 Night Wandering Duck Tours

Canal Boat Adventure: 43 Locks/ 2 Tunnels/ 1 Aqueduct

3 Nights:

Start: Manchester City Centre

Finish: Whaley Bridge -> Train 40 mins to Manchester

- Active trip: Around 2-5 hours a day working locks as a team

- Mix of Scenery: countryside/ urban/ industrial/ city

Departs: Various Tuesdays April to October

Need different dates? “Adventure Weekender” is a non-brochured Fri-Sun shortened version

Canal Boat Escape: 12 Locks/ 1 Aqueduct

2 Nights:

Start: Marple -> Train 25 mins from Manchester

Finish: Congleton -> Train 45 mins to Manchester

- Beautiful open Cheshire countryside

- More time for walks and canoeing Departs: Various Tuesdays April to October

Need different dates? “Escape Weekender” is a non-brochured Fri-Sun version

All Tours Include:

- Most meals including 2 course evening meal, all home cooked.

- Hot drinks; fairtrade tea & ground coffee and hot choc with marshamallows

- Homemade cake

- Fruit

- Some soft drinks

All Tours Exclude:

- One meal in a local pub

- Drinks from the on board honesty bar

Tours available to book on FREESELL and will run with a minimum of only 2 PAX