The H &H Shopping Guide to the Cut This is an updated version of the famous “H & H Shopping Guide to the Cut”, compiled by the award winning floating hotel company H & H Narrowboat Hotels. As a floating business that prided itself on the quality and variety of it cuisine it needed to source the finest ingredients as they cruised around the Inland Waterways.  H & H was an early green convert and a fan of the slow food movement, therefore always sought local food and produce. Sometimes this involves a taxi ride, but often there is good shopping within walking distance.  Where ever possible we try to use local independent shops, as we find the quality and value for money is better than in the chain supermarkets. We tend to use small village shops for the daily basics such as milk, eggs and newspapers, and do larger shopping in canal side towns, often including a visit to a weekly market and a large supermarket for groceries.   The following is a list of shops we have used over the years, it is broken down by waterway, with appropriate moorings given. If you have suggestions for others to add, please email me. The list is not fully comprehensive and is solely compiled by H & H. The company still continues but no longer directly operates hotelboats. H & H now trades as a consultancy and training company, provide a unique range of services to the Inland Waterways, Marine Tourism, UK Hospitality and Mediation sectors . To find out more please click on this link H & H Training and Consulting Services This list was extensively updated March 2003, with dozens of new entries; including the following new waterways: Rochdale Canal, Staffordshire And Worcestershire Canal and River Weaver. This latest version was updated in August 2007 I have also listed good second hand bookshops as hunting through them for bargains –or canal books- is one of my passions, and other oddities of non food shopping on the sister pages Bibliophile.  Please try to support the local and independent shops found near the Waterways or to coin the IWA phrase, use them or lose them! Please remember to take shopping trolleys back to the relevant shop; they do not swim very well! I hope it will assist you in your holiday route planning. If you print it out it is currently 20 pages long!  The following 34 waterways have entries:  Ashby, Ashton, Avon, Birmingham and Fazeley, Birmingham and Worcester, BCN, Bridgewater, Caldon, Coventry, Gloucester and Sharpness, Grand Union, Huddersfield Broad, Huddersfield Narrow, Lancaster, Lee and Stort, Llangollen, Leeds and Liverpool, Kennet and Avon, Macclesfield, Montgomery and Brecon, Nene, Nottingham, Oxford, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Severn, South Stratford, Shropshire Union, Staffordshire And Worcestershire, Thames, Trent, Trent and Mersey, Weaver and Wey. ASHBY CANAL Hinckley: Moor by Br 16 - 20 minute walk to town centre or bus. Local: Garage shop at Br 17 Trinity Motors.
Independents: Walkers Butcher- excellent famous real Leicestershire pork pies and sausages. Very good Greengrocer in High St.
Supermarkets: Co-op in High St, Somerfield near Station, huge Safeway on outskirts accessible by Taxi.  Stoke Golding: Moor either on visitor moorings Br 27 or opposite Ashby Boats, 10 minutes up hill walk. Local: Two small general stores in the village centre.  Market Bosworth: Moor by Br 42 where there is also a water point. 15 minute uphill walk to town centre. Independents: Good Butcher, small Greengrocer, Newsagent and small Co-op. All in town square.  Don’t miss the fascinating clock shop. A real unspoilt gem of a small market town.  ASHTON  Ashton-under-Lyne: Moor at Dukinfield Junction or at the end of the Peak Forest. Supermarket: Large ASDA close by.  Manchester City Centre: It is possible to moor at Piccadilly Village but better to go down the infamous Rochdale 9 and moor in the Castlefield area on the Bridgewater. Either Potato Wharf or round by the refurbished warehouses. Take care where you moor and lock up boats well! Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is Sainsbury’s 10 minutes walk away in Salford over the River Irwell. Large Marks and Spenser at far end of Deansgate. Local: Grotty newsagent opposite the Space Museum. Trendy Deli beside Deansgate Station Independent: Oddbins on Deansgate, Indoor Market in the Arndale Shopping centre Non-food is excellent and very varied.  RIVER AVON Tewkesbury: Moor on Visitor moorings above the Lock; see LANT lock keeper, and -water point/ rubbish disposal. 5-10 minute walk to High Street. Independents: One local Butcher in High Street, Good Fruit and Veg Market on Saturdays- behind Tesco Supermarkets: Small Tesco, Somerfield, Iceland, large Morrisons on outskirts. Non-food shopping is very good, and make time to see the huge Abbey.  Pershore: Moor on Visitor moorings or below New Bridge: 5-10 minute walk to High Street.                 Independents: Butcher in High Street, several Convenience Stores and off licences.                 Supermarkets: Large Co-op  Pershore is also very good for Second Hand Bookshops and has a very large number of Pubs, see the pub guide.  Evesham: Moor below New Bridge beside landscaped gardens. 5-10 minute walk over the bridge into town.                   Independents: Several chain bakeries, also a few food shops in the High St                   Supermarkets: Iceland and Somerfield.                 Bidford on Avon: Moor on Visitor moorings, 5-10 minute walk over the bridge into village.                   Independents: Butcher and General Grocery, Newsagent. Also numerous fast food stores.  Stratford upon Avon: Moor either in the Basin, the Canal or on the extensive River Moorings. Independents: Couple of Butchers, Greengrocer, and Oddbins. Fruit and Veg Market in Town Sq. on Fridays Supermarkets: Somerfield and Marks and Spencer in Centre. Large Morrisons beside Station 10 minute walk from basin.  Non-food shopping is excellent, but very hectic, with lots of Tourists. Two second hand bookshop opposite each other on High Street, just along from the market square.    BRIDGEWATER  Manchester City Centre: It is possible to moor at Piccadilly Village but better to go down the infamous Rochdale 9 and moor in the Castlefield area on the Bridgewater. Either Potato Wharf or round by the refurbished warehouses. Take care where you moor and lock up boats well! 
 Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is a huge Sainsbury’s 10 minutes walk away in Salford over the River Irwell. Large Marks and Spenser at far end of Deansgate with big foodhall.
 Local: Grotty newsagent opposite the Space Museum. Trendy Deli beside Deansgate Station
 Independent: Oddbins on Deansgate, Indoor Market in the Arndale Shopping centre, new posh deli in Deansgate near moorings.
 Non-food is excellent and very varied. Lymm: Good visitor moorings Supermarket: Somerfield Independent: Greengrocer, butcher  BIRMINGHAM CANAL NAVIGATIONS Birmingham City Centre: Moor at Sherborne Wharf or outside The National Outdoor Arena. Local: Small general Spar corner shop almost beside top lock of Farmers Bridge Flight. Another small shop is near the Sealife Centre Independent: Huge excellent Indoor markets behind the Bull Ring with very good meat, fish and veg- less than 10 minutes walk to moorings, Chinese Supermarket in China Town.                  Supermarket: Large Tesco, at Five Ways about 10 minute walk. Tesco Metro in New Street Very extensive non-food shopping, including several Malls- New Bull Ring is top quality, and Department Stores. Also pedestrianised city centre, walk via ICC. Jewellery Quarter is also worth a visit. We have had no problems mooring here but it is noisy at weekends, avoid mooring outside nightclubs or pubs and make sure the boat is secured before leaving it.  Wolverhampton City Centre: Moor by Broad St Bridge- avoid at weekend- or top of the 21, safe and surprisingly quiet overnight. 5 minute walk to city centre. Independent: Several 1960’s shopping centres containing shops including several good butchers, bakers, a green grocer and good fish monger. Supermarket: Small Sainsbury’s on the upper floor of the shopping centre. Marks and Spenser  Tipton: Moor below Factory Locks on the New Main Line, local shops in Owen St nearby, including Co Op supermarket, butcher and baker in a rather grim shopping precinct. Watch out for statue of the “Tipton Slasher”!  Black Country Museum: Safe moorings for ½ dozen boats inside the museum- controlled by the Dudley Tunnel Trust- local shops in Owen St ten minutes away near Tipton Station, including a Co Op supermarket, butcher and baker in a rather grim shopping precinct. Small newsagent and chip shop outside. Smethwick: Moor on either New or Old Main Line near Brasshouse Lane Bridge. Do not leave boat unattended! Access to shops in Smethwick High St via the footbridge.  Oldbury: Moor at Whimsey Bridge on the Old Main Line. Supermarket: Savacentre in Oldbury town centre. DUDLEY CANALS Windmill End: moor at Windmill End by visitor centre- water point. Supermarket: In Cole Street.  Brierley Hill: Moor on the Delph Flight between locks 1 & 2, for local shops. Merry Hill: extensive free safe moorings- can be noisy at weekends- beside Greens Bridge, close to the huge shopping complex- known locally as Merry Hell- that includes a Sainsbury’s supermarket. STOURBRIDGE ARM Stourbridge: After the hard work of the Stourbridge 16, turn onto the shallow Stourbridge Arm-which is full of shopping trolleys so take care-visitor moorings close to the Basin. Reasonable shopping in the town centre a few minutes walk away. WALSALL CANAL Walsall: safe moorings in the basin behind the new museum, you are at the top of a long High St, with all the usual outlets. Independent: Several bakeries, off licence. Supermarket: Poor Tesco in the High St. Marks and Spenser.  Ryder’s Green: Moor between Locks 7 & 8, but do not leave boat unattended! Supermarket: Large ASDA: Watch out for numerous shopping trolleys with guest whose name on them! WYRLEY AND ESSINGTON Brownhills: Moor at Brownhills Wharf. Supermarket: Sainsbury’s is very close-last time we attempted this could not get close to the bank due to submerged obstacles- dont be fooled by the tempting mooring rings! Wednesfield Junction: Good moorings beside what used to be the Bentley Canal. Supermarket: Large new supermarket is part of the retail park complex. 10 Screen Cinema and various fast food outlets.  BIRMINGHAM AND FAZELEY  Curdworth: Moor near the tunnel, north portal, 5-minute walk. You have to do a “road runner” type crossing of the busy main road- probably easier if you were born on the other side! Local: Small village Post Office for basic supplies.  BIRMINGHAM AND WORCESTER  Worcester: Moor by Lock 4 on the Commandery Visitor Moorings, 5 minutes to the main shopping street. Independent: Excellent butcher, T Hackworth for Lamb and sausages right by Br 4, with adjacent good greengrocer Nick’s Fruiters, both only 2 minutes walk. Several other butchers in town.  Branch of Oddbins. Supermarket: Small Sainsbury’s in nearby shopping centre, Marks and Spencer in the High St. Non-food, very extensive range of shops. Royal Worcester has a large factory outlet shop.  Selly Oak: Moor by Bristol Road Bridge, 5 minutes to Sainsbury’s. Supermarket: Sainsbury’s  CALDON CANAL Stoke on Trent: Moor by the Black Prince Marina, 10- 15 minute walk into Hanley where the shopping is good.                         Supermarket:  Large Sainsbury’s and a huge Morrisons on near by shopping estates. Non-Food: Most of the Potteries have factory outlet shops and there is a special bus to link them, large shops on the estate behind the Marina.  Cheddleton: Moor by the Flint Mill, small general store and Newsagent 5 minute walk.  Leek: Moor as close as you can, long walk into town.                     Independent: Butcher                     Supermarket: Large Morrisons  COVENTRY CANAL  Coventry: Moor on the excellent and safe visitor moorings in the Canal Basin, 5 -10 walk over footbridge to town . Independent: Very good Indoor Market, lots of Fruit and Veg stalls, wonderful Fish Market. Excellent tiny butchers in Spon St - Terry Rowland- behind the Co-op car park.                         Supermarket: Large Co-Op in city centre- may have become an IKEA!. Small Sainsbury’s next to the bus station. Non-food shopping is excellent, including several Malls and big Department Stores. Don’t leave without visiting the very moving Cathedral and the extensive Museum of British Road Transport  Atherstone: Moor by Br 41, 5 minutes walk.                         Independent: Several Butchers and a Greengrocer in the High St.                         Supermarket: Co-op in the High St.  Polesworth: Moor by Br 52. Small Spar general store, 10-minute walk.  Armington: Moor by Br 62, One Stop Shop in Woodhouse Lane open till 10pm, Also Chip Shop in Sharp St  Whittington: Moor by Br 79, Small Village Shop / Newsagent. 15 minute walk.  Fradley Junction/Lichfield: Moor on visitor moorings; no local shops so take taxi to Lichfield- approx. £5 each way.                            Independent: Two very good butchers, Deli                            Supermarket: Tesco GLOUCESTER AND SHARPNESS CANAL:  Gloucester: Moor in the amazing Gloucester Docks. 10 minute walk past the Prison to the city centre. Local: Newsagent in the Docks Mall. Independent: Good general shopping including food shops especially the Indoor Market. Supermarket: Small Tesco in the centre. Don’t miss the BW owned National Waterways Museum, the Cathedral and the Glorious Gloucester’s Regimental Museum.  Frampton on Severn: Moor near Fretherne Bridge. Local: General Store near the Bell pub, Butchers next to the Three Horseshoes Pub  Sharpness: 5 minutes walk from the Marina there is a General Store (on the West Bank) GRAND UNION CANAL: LEICESTER BRANCH:  Crick: Moor by Br 13- On-on offside by Edwards Restaurant- 10 minute walk to village centre. Independent: Village Post Office/ Newsagent also has good real bread. Small but well stocked Co-Op. The Red Lion Pub is worth a visit, Thatched Free House, Real Ale good food.  Yelvertoft: Moor by Br 19 - water point; 10-minute walk to village centre.             Independent: Good small village butcher, Post Office, Village Shop/ newsagent.  Market Harborough: Moor in the new basin, Water point/ pump out 10-minute walk to town centre. Independent: Briggs the Butcher, Fishmonger/Game Dealer, Large Delicatessen, Greengrocer. Threshers. All near the Church. Indoor Market Hall on Tuesday and Saturday for fruit, Veg and cheese. Supermarket: large Sainsbury’s, small Tesco, and a Kwik Save?. Very attractive unspoilt Georgian Market Town, with lots of Independent traditional shops, Antiques Market on Sundays in the market hall.  Leicester: Moor on the Floating Pontoons by West Bridge, safe for overnight moorings; 5 minute walk to the city centre. Independent: Walkers the Butchers, Leicester market for superb and good value Fruit and Veg, Indoor market for excellent Fish, Meat and Cheese. Several stores sell unusual Asian vegetables, herbs and spices. Branch of Oddbins. Supermarket: Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer. Very extensive non-food shopping, including Fenwick’s and Debenhams department stores.  Loughborough: Moor outside the Albion Pub. 10 minute walk to town centre. Independent: Butcher, very good street market on Thursdays and Saturdays for Fruit and Veg. Supermarket:  Large Sainsbury’s opposite the Basin, Somerfield in the centre.  Birmingham City Centre: Moor at Sherborne Wharf or outside The National Outdoor Arena. Local: Small general Spar corner shop almost beside top lock of Farmers Bridge Flight. Another small shop is near the Sealife Centre Independent: Huge excellent Indoor markets behind the Bull Ring with very good meat, fish and veg- less than 10 minutes walk to moorings, Chinese Supermarket in China Town.                  Supermarket: Large Tesco, at Five Ways about 10 minute walk. Tesco Metro in New Street Very extensive non-food shopping, including several Malls- New Bull Ring is top quality, and Department Stores. Also pedestrianised city centre, walk via ICC. Jewellery Quarter is also worth a visit. We have had no problems mooring here but it is noisy at weekends, avoid mooring outside nightclubs or pubs and make sure the boat is secured before leaving it.  Warwick: Moor in Saltisford Arm (fee) or by Cape Locks -Water point. 10 minutes walk uphill into Town centre. Independent: Three Butchers- Rumps is the best- excellent quality and a Deli near the Market Sq. Traditional Market on Saturdays in square with good fruit & veg. Polish deli in West St Supermarket: Sainsbury’s on Saltisford Road. Huge Tesco with own moorings near bridge 46. Non-food is limited but there is the David Mellor studio for fine quality table and kitchenware, near the Church. Lots of gift and antiques shops.  Royal Leamington Spa: Moor by Br 39 - almost behind Somerfields-on visitors moorings safe at night but noisy. 5 minute walk to High St Supermarkets: Somerfields, Tesco Metro, Marks and Spencer.-Also huge Sainsbury’s by Br 42 moor at Tiller Pin Pub -water point. Independent: Oddbins in high st. Aubrey Allen’s is an award winning butcher/ deli. 2 Good greengrocers and several delis Non-food shopping is very good with several department stores, Shopping Mall, second-hand bookshops and bric-a- brac antiques. The main mooring is very close to the town centre.  Long Itchington: Moor by Br 25, outside The Two Boats Pub - which is well worth a visit! Local: General store in village 15 minutes walk. Newsagent up little lane near the lock; 5 minutes walk. Small Co-Op, in the village centre. Garage shop 5-minute walk turn left over bridge.  Braunston: Moor on visitor moorings. Two water points, 10-15 minute walk uphill. Local: Basic supplies can be bought from the Lock Shop at the bottom and another by the top Lock. Independent: Braunston in its High St, an excellent Butcher, try the sausages. There is also a large village shop/ newsagent. For non-food shopping there are three Chandlery shops and three selling canal souvenirs. The Lock Shop at the bottom lock has the best Canal ware range and lots of canal books and prints. Weedon: Moor on the embankment, 5-10 minutes to Lower Weedon, down steep and slippery stairs. Independent: Butcher, Greengrocer, Post office, large village shop- long hours. Also garage shop in Upper Weedon, and Miller’s Chandlery at Stowe Hill. Weedon also boasts 7 pubs and a large Antiques Centre and several Antiques shops, in the Upper Weedon side.  Northampton: Moor on the River above the Lock, but through South Bridge. Independent: Very large market in Town Sq.  Also Indoor Meat and Fish Market. 10 minute walk up hill. Supermarket: Huge Morrisions next to moorings, small Sainsbury’s inside Grosvenor Shopping Centre. Northampton has an attractive city centre, with good shopping and an excellent Museum with the largest Shoe Collection in the World! Well worth the effort of the Rothesthorpe Locks. Dunnes department store next to Morrisions. Some of the Shoe Factories have outlet shops.  Wolverton: Moor by the Railway Station, near Br 71. 5 minute walk up the staircase and turn right. Supermarkets: Large Tesco and an Aldi.  Milton Keynes: Moor at Br 82 a for city centre, 20 minute walkthrough an estate or take the bus. Independent: Outdoor fruit and Veg market near The Point. Oddbins next door to Waitrose. Supermarket: large Waitrose. Massive American style indoor Shopping Mall, so you can shop till you drop, with a separate Food Mall opposite, makes up Central Milton Keynes. - Buses stop running early circa 5pm.  Bletchley: Moor by Lock 22 on visitor moorings, Fenny Stratford, water point. Independent: Butchers in Bletchley High St, 15 minute walk. Supermarket: huge Tesco, 5-10 minute walk.  Leighton Buzzard: Visitor moorings at Tesco. Town centre 10 minutes from Br114. Water point is just through the bridge. Independent: Attractive very wide High St with normal shops including butchers, bakers and off licence. Supermarket: Tesco 1 minute. Iceland in centre.  Aylesbury: Moor at the very friendly Aylesbury Canal Society at canal basin, safe overnight. Town centre 5 minutes walk. Independent: Baker next to basin, several butchers in town centre, good Fruit and Veg in the weekly Market held in the town sq. Supermarket: Large Tesco with own moorings at Lock 16.  A Somerfield in town centre. Aylesbury is a very pleasant town well worth the detour down the locks; if you have children the town’s Roald Dahl Museum has won awards. The Canal Society is also very friendly- Cheap Diesel if you join! Look out for the amazing variety of duck species to be seen below the bottom lock.  Berkhamsted: Moor near lock 53. Independent: Award winning but very expensive butcher by Br 142. Supermarkets: Small Tesco in High St, Waitrose canal side near lock 53.  Apsley/ Hemel Hempstead: Supermarket: Big Sainsbury’s with own mooring by Apsley locks. 1960’s style High St, with lots of chain stores in Hemel Hempstead  Rickmansworth: Moor by Br 153, 10 minutes to town centre. Independent: A few food shops in the High St. Supermarket: Large Tesco, with own moorings. Rickmansworth is on the Tube network, so trips further a field are easy. A wooden narrowboat is being rebuilt at Batchworth Lock.  Bulls Bridge Junction: Supermarket: Large Tesco, open 24 hours, with own moorings- safe but noisy- with water point.  PADDINGTON ARM OF GU: London: Moorings as below: Independent: Good Italian deli, 5 minute walk from Battlebridge basin in Kings Cross.  Byzantium Greek Bakery, Oddbins, Cullens all in Camden High Street. Supermarkets:  Sainsbury’s with own mooring at Kensal Green. Large Morrisons 10 minute walk, Sainsbury’s 5 Minute walk, both at Camden Lock. Do not leave your boat unattended. Somerfield and Marks and Spencer in Camden Town. You could also moor by Cumberland Basin just after the Zoo, about 10 minutes to Camden Town shops. Camden Lock Market, for crafts and bric-a-brac can attract up to 1/4 million people at a weekend! Limehouse: Moor in Limehouse Basin, either on the wall or for extra security on the pontoons –fee charged; water point/ pump out. Good idea to book moorings! Supermarket: Hop on the adjacent Docklands Light Railway a couple of stops to Canary Wharf where there is a Tesco Metro in a shopping mall, or Cross Harbour DLR Station where there is an ASDA. Billingsgate Fish Market is also at Canary Wharf. Don’t forget to snap the Millennium White Elephant (Dome).     You can walk up to the Commercial Road and take a bus to the Spitalfields Market area with lots of shops or the DLR to Tower Bridge and the City.  HUDDERSFIELD BROAD  Huddersfield: Moor by Loco Lift Bridge Supermarket: Sainsbury’s with own moorings. Lots of shops in the town centre.  HUDDERSFIELD NARROW  Ashton-under-Lyne: Moor at Dukinfield Junction or at the end of the Peak Forest. Supermarket: Large ASDA close by.  Stalybridge: Moor on the excellent new visitor moorings. Supermarket: Huge 24hr Tesco with own moorings. Other shops near by.  Uppermill: Moor above lock 21W. Local: Variety of small shops nearby including a Spar, newsagents and a butcher. Good small museum and several pubs- try the Railway  Marsden: Moor near the tunnel portal Local: Good range of shops down the hill in Marsden town centre 10 minutes walk. including CO OP, butcher and baker. Very good brew pub in a converted mill at the bottom of the High St - try the porter! Slaithwaite: Moor just after the winding hole on the excellent visitor moorings. Note the town is not pronounced as it is spelt! Local: Co Op, butcher, baker, chemist all in the canal side High St   Huddersfield: Moor by Loco Lift Bridge Supermarket: Sainsbury’s with own moorings. Lots of shops in the town centre.  LANCASTER CANAL   Lancaster: Moor in Aldcliffe Basin Local: Small general store nearby.  Bolton-le- Sands: Moor between bridges 122 and 123. Local: Butcher, Chemist and local convenience store near Br 123  LEE AND STORT Waltham Abbey: Moor below Town Lock, water point and rubbish disposal, 10-minute walk to shops. Independent: Butcher, Baker in the High St. Supermarket: Small Somerfield with in house Bakery in the High St past the Abbey. The Abbey is large and beautiful and is the burial site of King Harold, last Saxon King of England.  Ware: Moor on the visitors mooring below the very pretty Environment Agency, Ware Lock. 2 minutes to High St Independent: Numerous shops in the delightful High Street. Supermarket: Large Tesco in the High St.  Hertford: Moor by the Old Barge pub, couple of minutes over the bridge into the attractive town centre. Independent:  Various typical High St shops, including Oddbins, Butchers and Fishmongers, helpful Tourist Information Centre. Supermarket: Tesco 24 hours in small shopping centre opposite mooring. Waitrose in small shopping mall Several good pubs including the White Horse, the Barge and Sportsman; look out for the local brew McMullen’s Bishop Stortford: Moor on the town centre extensive but noisy visitor moorings. Independent: Very few good food shops in the attractive High St that is sadly, dominated by estate agents and banks. One Butcher the Meat Inn, but no Greengrocer! - Greengrocer stalls on market day. Good non-food shopping. Supermarket: Sainsbury’s in town centre opposite visitor moorings.  LEEDS & LIVERPOOL Kirkstall: Moor near bridge 222, below Kirkstall Lock. Supermarket: Morrisons and Boots plus several fast food outlets  Kwik Save? near the Kirkstall Lites Pub.  Bingley: Moor below Bingley 3 Rise. Supermarket: Morrisons Skipton: Moor near Brewery Bridge. Supermarket: Morrisons  Nelson: Moor near Pendle St Bridge Supermarket: Morrisons near the Mosque Towers.  Leigh: Supermarket: Kwik Save canal-side Wigan Pier: Supermarket: Asda, open 24 hours near Seven Stars Pub`  LLANGOLLEN CANAL. Whitchurch: Moor in the Whitchurch Arm. 15-20 minute walk into the town centre. Independent: Several butchers, bakers and a greengrocer. Supermarket: Tesco in town centre. Whitchurch is an unspoilt small market town, with a steeply sloping High St, and some fine half- timbered buildings. If the winding hole at bridge Br 32 is silted up fill in a BW complaint card!  Grindley Brook: Moor above the locks. Independent: Small general shop beside the three-lock staircase. Ellesmere: Moor on the visitor moorings on the Arm, 5-minute walk to Town Sq. Independent: Two good butchers, 1 greengrocer and oddly, a greengrocer cum fish shop, Chemist, Health Food Shop and a good Deli cum Baker (large range of farmhouse cheeses). Supermarket: Small Co-op and small Spar, both have long hours Ellesmere is like going back in time 25 years, to a real Shropshire Market Town. A weekly small market is held in the Indoor Market. A small 2nd-hand bookshop- but very restricted hours.  Llangollen: Moor at the first available mooring and walk! 10 minutes downhill to the small High Street. Independent: Two very good butchers on opposite sides of the High Street, excellent Welsh Lamb, we use    D M Pierson, 2 greengrocers- try Gabriel’s which also sells fish-a small Spar, rundown Kwik Save?, two bakers- one also sells cheese and health food- and a very expensive Deli. Non food, lots of Welsh tacky souvenirs, huge but very pricey 2nd hand bookshop over a 1950’s original cafe, a few traditional outfitters and several New Age Incense shops. Llangollen is in a spectacular setting with sheer green hillsides and the amazing River Dee; spend time walking in the hills, riding the Steam Train, and the horse drawn boat rides. KENNET AND AVON CANAL  Reading: Moor on the moorings by the Prison, good general shopping in the hideously ugly town centre Supermarket: Large Tesco on the Thames with moorings Huge new large shopping centre has just opened. Watch out for shopping trolleys near Blake’s Lock.  Newbury: Moor above the West Mills Swing Bridge. Independent: Good, very busy pork butcher on the Town Bridge. Supermarket: Tesco 10-minute walk, Marks and Spenser in High St. Non-food, there is a good range of shops including two bookshops and a quirky department store. Hungerford: Limited mooring on the offside below Hungerford Lock or between the lock and the Church swing Bridge. Independent: Butcher-expensive, Greengrocer and Baker in the High St Supermarket: Large Somerfield next to the Station. Non-food, second-hand book shop, Hungerford is a major antiques centre with many shops, also some traditional clothes shops.  Pewsey: Moor at Pewsey Wharf, 15-minute walk to the shops down hill past the station. Independent: Butcher and Baker Supermarket: Small supermarket.  Devizes: Moor between Devizes wharf and lock 50 Independent: Two excellent butchers, good deli- owned by Wadworths, several greengrocers-one also sells fish. Supermarket: Small rundown Tesco, Budgens, Iceland and a medium sized Somerfield. Non-food, is very good lots of antiques, large cheap second –hand bookshop, chandlery near the Wharf.  Bradford on Avon: Moor above the lock, 10- minute walk to the shops, Local: small Spar, Newsagent and lots of antique shops.  Bath: Moor on the River Avon near the Station.- There is also a waterpoint need key from leisure centre Independent: Poor indoor market, several butchers- try the one in Green St, fishmonger and greengrocer in the side streets near Poultney Bridge. Supermarket: Waitrose in the town centre. Non-food is excellent and very extensive, shop till you drop. Nauticalia has a branch actually on Poultney Bridge.  MACCLESFIELD   Kidsgrove: Moor near the railway station before you get to Harecastle Tunnel. Supermarket: New large Sainsbury’s, 10 minute walk.  Congleton: Reasonable visitor mooring, walk down the hill to the small shopping area.  Macclesfield: Reasonable visitor moorings- waterpoint Supermarket: Tesco near the station 10 minutes downhill Local: small shop and newsagent nearby Independent: good range of shops in town centre. Indoor market.  Bollington: Good moorings, steep descent to the shopping area.  Marple: Visitor moorings just before junction with Peak Forest Range of independent shops and a small supermarket accessible from the lock flight- see Peak Forest listing MONTGOMERY AND BRECON CANAL.  Govilion / Abergavenny: Moor on Govilion Wharf and take a taxi to Abergavenny. Independent: Viv Sulliven is one of the best and most famous Butchers in Britain let alone Wales. The large shop sells excellent quality, fresh meat, wonderful fish, and has an extensive delicatessen; a real gem.  Brecon: Moor in the new basin; a few minutes walk into town centre. Brecon is small and rather scruffy but with a lot of charm. Visit the small Cathedral. Independent: Good range of small traditional food shops. OXFORD CANAL  Oxford: Moor above Isis lock on the Canal or above Osney Lock on the River Thames, 10-minute walk into City Centre. Shop before 10 am to avoid the tourist hoards !! Independent: Try the Indoor Market, which has several good butchers- try Holdens- who supply the college kitchens, a sausage shop,fish monger, a cheese shop- the Oxford Blue, several attractive delis and a couple of Greengrocers. There is also a corner shop two minute walk from Osney moorings. Supermarket: Small Sainsbury’s and a Co-op in Town Centre. Also Large Sainsbury’s an expensive taxi ride away. Oddbins near Indoor Market Oxford has excellent non-food shopping. Oxfam has a large second hand bookshop. The University Natural History Museum has the amazing Pitt Rivers Museum as part of it, which is a 19th century treasure house of stuffed display cases full of fascinating objects from around the world, definitely one of the oddest museums in the UK. Cropredy: Moor on the visitor mooring above the lock. Local: Village general store, friendly staff, canal side below lock. Banbury: Moor above or below Banbury Lock, new water point and rubbish disposal, 2 minutes to High Street.Independent: Half way up the main St is a pedestrian’s road with two good butchers, try Fowlers of Banbury, also two greengrocers and several bakers. The Cornish Pasty Shop. Supermarkets: In town centre new Morrisions; in the shopping mall: Somerfield and Marks and Spencer. On the town outskirts are both Sainsbury’s and Tesco- the branch that was in the TV docu-soap.  Braunston: Moor on visitor moorings uphill walk to the village shops. Local: Basic supplies can be bought from the Bottom Lock Shop at the bottom and another by the top Lock. Independent: Braunston has food shops in its High St, an excellent Butcher- try the sausages. There is also a good village shop/ newsagent. For non-food shopping there are three Chandlery shops and three selling canal souvenirs. The Lock Shop at the bottom lock has the best Canal ware range and lots of canal books and prints If you need ropes or fenders see Pete Flockhart, his workshop is in the Marina by the dry dock. Hillmorton: Moor on visitor moorings below the locks, water point, rubbish disposal in the car park. Local: The canal shop at the locks sells a few basic supplies.  Rugby: Moor by Br 58 for Elliot’s Field Retail Park 2 minutes, town centre 20 minutes walk uphill. Independent: Fruit and Veg Shop in Sheep St, couple of other butchers and two bakers. The Outdoor Market on Friday and Saturday, in centre- is good for Veg and also has fish and cheese stalls. If you are really ambitious you could buy a cow or sheep in the weekly livestock market by the station! Supermarkets: Large Tesco beside Br 58, Co-op and Kwik Save in town centre. Gilberts the makers of Rugby Footballs has a small museum, opposite the famous school where the game began. New cineworld cinema nearby. Newbold on Avon: Moor by Br 50, 5-minute walk down the road. Local: Alldays a 24-hour large village shop. Good Butcher Look out for water voles, which still live by the moorings.  RIVER NENE  Northampton: Moor on the River above the Lock, but through South Bridge. Free pump out machine down one lock by public toilets. Independent: Very large market in Town Sq.  Also Indoor Meat and Fish Market. 10 minute walk up hill. Supermarket: Huge Morrisons next to moorings, small Sainsbury’s inside Grosvenor Shopping Centre. Dunnes department store next to Morrisions. Some of the Shoe Factories have outlet shops. Northampton has an attractive city centre, with good shopping and an excellent Museum with the largest Shoe Collection in the World! Well worth the effort of the Rothesthorpe Locks.  Wellingborough: Moor near the flourmill- water point and rubbish disposal. Supermarket: Large Tesco 5 minute walk, just back from the river opposite the flourmill.  Oundle: Moor above the lock on the weir stream- you will need to reverse in - 10-15 minute walk across a paved field path. Independent: Bakers, two Butchers. Supermarket: Somerfield The Dragon Fly Museum is open at weekends and is worth a visit. Two second-hand bookshops on the High Street  Peterborough: Extensive moorings in town centre- lots of hungry swans- water point and two free pump outs.Supermarket: Large ASDA near the Bridge. Small grotty Tesco in town Centre.  Waitrose next to Bus Station inside upper level of the shopping mall. Extensive non-food shopping including a large John Lewis and a Marks and Spencer. Do not miss the Cathedral, where Catherine of Aragon is buried.  PEAK FOREST Whaley Bridge: Moor before the basin, and you are at the end of the small high st. Supermarket: Small Co-Op Independent: Good quality butcher, excellent greengrocer, deli, baker Non-food: Good plumbers merchant cum hardware store, outdoor clothing, chemist. There are several good pubs, in and around the high st.  Marple: Visitor moorings just before junction with Peak Forest Range of independent shops- two butchers- and a small supermarket- CO OP- accessible from the lock flight- walk down the flight Ashton-under-Lyne: Moor at Dukinfield Junction or at the end of the Peak Forest. Supermarket: Large ASDA close by. ROCHDALE CANAL

Manchester City Centre: It is possible to moor at Piccadilly Village but better to go down the infamous Rochdale 9 and moor in the Castlefield area on the Bridgewater. Either Potato Wharf or round by the refurbished warehouses. Take care where you moor and lock up boats well! 
Supermarket: The nearest supermarket is a huge Sainsbury’s 10 minutes walk away in Salford over the River Irwell. Large Marks and Spenser at far end of Deansgate with big foodhall.
Local: Grotty newsagent opposite the Space Museum. Trendy Deli beside Deansgate Station
Independent: Oddbins on Deansgate, Indoor Market in the Arndale Shopping centre, new posh deli in Deansgate near moorings.
Non-food is excellent and very varied.

Oldham: Canal side Morrisons supermarket, but moorings may be tricky

Littleborough:
Co Op short walk from the poor moorings.

Todmorden:
Attractive High Street just behind the moorings. Various independent food shops. Market

Hebden Bridge: Moor below lock beside park.
Attractive High Street with good butcher, two bakers and two deli’s. Several small supermarkets.
The town is more sun dried tomatoes and virgin olive oil than flat cap and whippets.

Sowerby Bridge: Moor in Basin, water point.
Local shopping ok in grotty High Street. Good local Butcher, Kwik Save. Large Tesco about 1 mile.
  RIVER SEVERN  Worcester: Moor on the River or on the canal by Lock 4 on the Commandery Visitor Moorings, 5 minutes to the main shopping street. Independent: Excellent butcher, T Hackworth i.e. for Lamb and sausages right by Br 4, 2 minutes walk with an adjacent good greengrocer, Nicks Fruiters. Several other butchers in town centre. Oddbins. Supermarket: Small Sainsbury’s in nearby shopping centre, separate food Marks and Spencer in the High St. Non-food, very extensive range of shops, Royal Worcester has a factory outlet shop. Tewkesbury: Moor on Visitor moorings above the Lock, see LANT lock keeper, water point/ rubbish disposal. 5-10 minute walk to High Street.                 Independents: One local Butcher in High Street, Good Fruit and Veg Market on Saturdays- behind Tes     Supermarkets: Small Tesco, Somerfield, Iceland, large Morrisons on outskirts. Non-food shopping is very good, and make time to see the huge Tewkesbury Abbey.  Gloucester: Moor in the amazing Gloucester Docks. 10 minute walk past the Prison to the city centre. Local: Newsagent in the Docks Mall. Independent: Good general shopping including food shops especially the Indoor Market. Supermarket: Small Tesco in the centre. Don’t miss: the BW owned National Waterways Museum, the Cathedral – where King John is buried, originally between two Saints! The Glorious Gloucester’s Regimental Museum- with a large feature on the VC winning battle in Korea is also in the docks. SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL Brewood: Moor by Br 14, 5 minutes walk. Local: General village shop, small Spar, good deli/green grocer, also a butcher-may have shut.  Market Drayton: Moor by Br 62, Water point, card operated pump out. Ten minute walk past the school into the town centre, 15 minutes to the supermarket. Independent: Good butcher, Orwell’s and a baker in the rather shabby town centre. Weekly market. Supermarket: Large Morrison at the edge of the town centre. The town is famous for gingerbread and is where Muller’s yoghurt is produced!  Audlem: Moor by the Shroppie Fly Pub, water point and bins Local: General village Co Op shop in the centre of the attractive village. Also near the Church is a good small butcher and a green grocer cum deli. The waterside Audlem Mill Shop is well worth a visit and has one of the biggest canal ware selections in the country.  Middlewich: Moor on the extensive visitor moorings near Br 172. 5 minute walk into the scruffy town centre. Independent: Good general shopping including food shops, Somerfield supermarket, which also delivers if you spend more than £25.  Nantwich: Moor near Br 92, water point on offside.10-15 minute walk along Welsh Row to the town centre. Independent: 3 good butchers, we use A Broomhall and Sons, greengrocer, 2 bakers, very good fishmonger. Weekly small market. Supermarket: Large Morrison near the Station. Nantwich is very attractive town, like a mini Chester, and well worth stopping for a couple of nights. The Black Lion and the Odd fellow’s Arms, in Welsh Row, are both very fine pubs.  Chester: Moor by Br 123E, which is right in the town centre. Independent: A good Butchers- CS Austin- and an excellent cheese shop opposite the Odeon Cinema. The Indoor Market has some food stalls. Supermarket: Large Tesco, by Br 123E. General shopping is very good in Chester, Don’t miss out on walking the walls. The tranquil cathedral is very close to the suggested moorings. If you have children Chester Zoo is one of the finest in the UK. STAFFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE CANAL

Great Haywood: Moor on the visitor moorings, 10-minute walk.
Local: Village Spar general shop. Shugborough Hall also sells some food produced on the estate.

Stafford: Moor by Bridge 91, then take bus to town centre 2 miles. Pleasant town but a food desert!
Supermarket: Sainsbury’s in centre near bus station.
Independent: Good fishmonger near the church

Penkridge: Moor above the town lock. Water point. 5 minute walk to small high street.
Independent: Baker and Butcher
Supermarket: Small Co Op

Aldersley Junction: Not safe for overnight! 10 minute walk to supermarket judging by the number of abandoned shopping trolleys in the canal.

Kinver: Moor below town lock, 10 minute walk to small high street.
Independent: Spar mini market, butcher, baker, off licence green grocer that doubles as tourist information

Kidderminster: Rather run down town, but with extensive shopping. Two railway stations beside each other, one of which is a real time warp as it is the head quarters of the Severn Valley Steam railway.
Supermarket: Sainsbury’s above town lock, Tesco below town lock , both with their own moorings.

Stourport: Moorings on new river pontoons or above the canal basin complex. Pleasant Georgian Town built as the port of Birmingham, extensive canal basin complex, with four existing and several now filled in. The busy High Street is a couple of minutes walk away.
Independent: 4 good butchers and several green grocers.Mostly in the High Street
Supermarket: Large Co Op, Netto SOUTH STRATFORD CANAL Stratford upon Avon: Moor either in the Basin, the Canal or on the extensive River Moorings.Independents: Couple of Butchers, try Barry The Butcher near the town sq, Greengrocer, Oddbins. Fruit and Veg Market in town sq. on Friday Supermarkets: Somerfield and Marks and Spencer in Centre. Large Morrison beside Station 10-15 minute walk from basin.  Non-food shopping is excellent, but very hectic, with lots of Tourists. Lakeland Plastics have a branch. Wilmcote: Moor by Br 59, 10-minute walk. Local: Small village general shop and Post Office, in the village centre. Don’t miss Mary Arden’s House -Shakespeare’s mother- of which there are two- houses not mothers! RIVER THAMES Mooring can be very hard to find and expensive on the Thames. Windsor and Eton: Moor on the Windsor side, lots of swans to feed. Good general shopping including some food shops, 15 minute walk from the moorings- use the lift beside the station-, very busy with tourists in the summer. A Somerfield is hidden in a small precinct. Henley: Extensive visitor moorings but avoid the Regatta in July. An attractive and prosperous town, with good general shopping including some food shops. Supermarket: Waitrose Visit the large new museum of Rowing and the River Thames. Reading: Moor on the busy Tesco moorings, good general shopping in the hideously ugly town centre Supermarket: Large Tesco New large shopping centre – the Oracle- has just opened straddling the K & A. Cheapest diesel on the Thames at Better Boats, upstream of Tesco, also only drinking water in Reading! Goring: Good free moorings below the lock, 5 minute walk to village centre Local: Small general village shop a couple of minutes walk from the moorings, also off licence and a good deli. Oxford: Moor above Isis lock on the Canal or above Osney Lock on the River Thames, 10-minute walk into City Centre. Shop before 10 am to avoid the tourist hoards! Independent: Try the Indoor Market, which has several good butchers- try Holdens- who supply the college kitchens, a sausage shop, a cheese shop- the Oxford Blue, several attractive delis and a couple of Greengrocers. Supermarket: Small Sainsbury’s and a Co-op in Town Centre. Large Sainsbury’s an expensive taxi ride away. Oddbins near Indoor Market Oxford has excellent non-food shopping. Oxfam has a large second hand bookshop. The University Natural History Museum has the amazing Pitt Rivers Museum as part of it, which is a 19th century treasure house of stuffed display cases full of fascinating objects from around the world, definitely one of the oddest museums in the UK. TRENT AND MERSEY CANAL Middlewich: Moor on the extensive visitor moorings near Br 172. 5 minute walk into the scruffy town centre. Independent: Good general shopping including food shops, Somerfield supermarket, which also delivers if you spend more than £25. Moor near the Big Lock. Kidsgrove: Moor near the railway station before you get to Harecastle Tunnel. Supermarket: New large Sainsbury’s, 10 minute walk. Stoke on Trent: Moor by the Black Prince Marina, 10- 15 minute walk into Hanley where the shopping is good.                         Supermarket:  Large Sainsbury’s and a huge Morrisons on near by shopping estate. Non Food: Most of the Potteries have factory outlet shops and there is a special bus to link them, large shops on the estate behind the Marina. Stone: Moor where you can, as it is always busy here. Independent: General shopping including food shops, Supermarket: Somerfield. Great Haywood: Moor on the visitor moorings, 10-minute walk. Local: Village general shop. Shugborough Hall also sells some food produced on the estate. Fradley Junction/Lichfield: Moor on visitor moorings; no local shops so take taxi to Lichfield- approx. £5 each way.             Independent: Two very good butchers, Deli              Supermarket: Tesco Burton on Trent: Moor on the Horniglow basin moorings. 15-20 minute walk to town centre. Independent: Good general shopping including food shops. Supermarket : Large Sainsbury’s. Morrisons at Branston Good non food shopping in the modern centre, the Breweries have outlet shops and run tours and tastings- yum- yum! The Bass Museum has also won lots of awards. Branston: A new out of town Retail Park including a supermarket-Morrisons- that is visible from the canal. RIVER TRENT Nottingham: Moor near the Castle Marina Supermarket: Large Sainsbury’s waterside near the Marina on the Nottingham Canal, with good own moorings. RIVER WEAVER

Anderton: Moorings either above or below the Boat Lift.
Small Post Office and general store, 5 minutes walk over footbridge on the Trent and Mersey, and through the small housing estate.

Northwich: Good but limited moorings above the town swing bridge. Extensive shopping, on the other bank in surprisingly attractive town centre. Independent: Butcher, small covered market
 Supermarket: Somerfield and Sainsbury’s RIVER WEY Godalming: Moor on the Sainsbury’s moorings, at the head of Navigation, which also have water point and sanitary station. Supermarkets: Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Sainsbury’s very close. http://www.hindandhart.co.uk/http://www.hindandhart.co.uk/biblio.htmshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1