Loughborough to Rugeley

 

 

Loughborough Basin to Rugeley Visitor Moorings is a trip of 45 miles and 29 locks.

 

Having spent a couple of days in Loughborough basin, ‘Ellis’ will be ready to embark on the penultimate trip of the 2025 cruising season… the days will be getting shorter and with the Autumn tingle in the air, the fire will no doubt be lit daily.

 

As usual, we’ll expect guests to come aboard around  1.30pm on day 1 and when we’ve  had a glass of something fizzy – (not to forget the introductory blah blah) we’ll  cast off and continue our journey . As has been the norm for this year, we’ll make it up as we go along and try not to be too regimented about mooring spots.

 

Much of this journey is on a river navigation – The river Soar which can be a bit frisky on occasions… let’s just hope we DON’T end up needing to tie up to the Safety Dolphins (you read that right) which form part of the ‘flood mooring scheme’ if levels rise during transit.

 

Roughly speaking, we’ll need to cover around 4-5 hours chugging each day in order to reach Rugeley  by mid afternoon on our final full day – some days will be longer than others if necessary for water/fuel and refuse stops.

 

All being well, once at Trent lock, we’ll chuck a left and head to the safety of the Trent and Mersey Canal at Shardlow.  Hopefully there’ll be opportunity to visit a few pubs and explore various towns and villages along the way… we’ll pass through/by:  Normanton on Soar, Kegworth, Trentlock, Shardlow, Weston on Trent, Willington (Mercia Marina) Burton Upon Trent, Alrewas and Fradley Junction before  arriving in Rugeley, where guests will depart after breakfast on the final morning.

 

 

 

Given the nature of River navigations – there is no guarantee Ellis will be able to achieve her final destination within the dates so guests are reminded  they need to factor in the potential of a different disembarkation point than planned.