Boating along the Chesterfield Canal
Currently, 32 miles of the canal are fully navigable from the tidal River Trent at West Stockwith, through Worksop, to the impassable Norwood Tunnel. The locks are broad from West Stockwith to Retford, and narrow (7ft) west of there.
Restoration of the canal, once navigable only as far as Worksop, took great strides in the 1990s, culminating in the reopening of the westernmost three miles to Norwood Tunnel in May 2003. This is an immensely picturesque stretch for the boater, with some of the earliest staircase locks in the country. A few of the locks on this section are slightly more narrow than usual and owners of historic narrowboats should contact British Waterways for advice before attempting passage.
The tunnel itself collapsed in 1907, and the canal is mostly unnavigable west of here. However, the final four miles into Chesterfield have been restored and are available for use by trailable boats. Boat trips also operate from here.
Find detailed information on local services, moorings and stoppages by using the drop down menu on the left.
contact us
print page