Your floating hotel on the Canals and Rivers of the UK

Our guide to the waterways of the UK in detail.

The River Trent.

N.B. The River Trent falls into three different sections.

Shardlow to Nottingham.

The navigation in this stretch alternates between the River itself, deep and wide and stretches of canal bypassing the weirs.

At Derwent mouth you have the choice of either travelling up the river or up the start of the Trent and Mersey to Shardlow, but only the canal allows through traffic. Below Derwent mouth a short stretch of river takes you to the Sawley cut.

The Sawley cut by passes the weir and drops you back onto the river at Sawley locks. Another mile of the river follows to Trent lock.

You then pass onto Cranfleet cut, after which you are back on the river Trent for a further four miles.

Throughout this early stretch the River is accompanied by flood plains but motorways, railway and Coolling towers abound.

Finally you leave the river for Beeston Cut and then the Nottingham canal which together take you into the very heart of the city of Nottingham.

• The Attenborough Nature Reserve. Situated 7 Kilometres south west of Nottingham's city centre, this nature reserve was once an area of wet grassland alongside the River Trent. As a result of decades of gravel extraction and careful restoration, the area has become a haven for wildlife. Nature Reserve.

Nottingham to Cromwell Lock.

You rejoin the river by dropping down a deep lock and coming out opposite Nottingham football ground however you soon leave the city behind.

Throughout this 30 mile stretch of River the six locks are set alongside the weirs with no lengthy separate cuts unlike the first stretch. The river passes down the side of several towns but the wide flood meadows dominate.

The Tidal Stretch.

You join the tidal stretch of the Trent at Cromwell lock. For this stretch boats follow the directions of the lock keeper to fit in with the flow of the tides. The river is broad and meanders. Few bridges cross it and few settlements are alongside it. We will use it to access one of the canals that join it, but it is still a spectacular cruise in its own right.

• Shardlow Heritage Centre. There is a full size replica of a narrowboat back cabin. In the exhibition cases and displayed around the walls are items related to rural crafts and industries. A video presentation provides an introduction to the historical port and the present day village.
  

• Nottingham. A large industrial city with a busy modern shopping centre. Historically it was the city of the Sheriff of Nottingham in the medieval days of Robin Hood.
• Nottingham Castle. The present building dates from 1674 and houses the city museum. Cave tours take you down into the passageways and tunnels beneath the building. The museum, recently refurbished, now contains spectacular fine and decorative arts galleries, as well as galleries telling the story of Nottingham, the Sherwood Foresters Regimental Museum and an exciting programme of art exhibitions.
• Greens Mill.
• National Sports Centre. Located on the outskirts of Nottingham City Centre it offers a range of activities tailor made to cater for the easy going all the way through to the thrill seeking adventurer.
• Galleries of Justice. Based at the Lace Market in the heart of Nottingham City. Featuring interactive exhibitions and tours, covering social and moral rights and responsibilities, community involvement and legal literacy.
• The Caves of Nottingham. A whole world in the caves underneath Nottingham city. See how these caves have been used and adapted over the Centuries by local people to escape and take refuge from the world above. Located on the upper level of the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre in Nottingham City Centre.
• Brewhouse Yard. Nestled in the rock below the Castle and housed in a group of five restored 17th century cottages lies Brewhouse Yard, home of Nottingham`s museum of daily life.
• Tales of Robin Hood. You ride through medieval Nottingham in adventure cars and see, hear, touch and smell scenes from the days when Robin stole from the rich and gave to the poor – with the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his men in hot pursuit.

• Newark. A town of great historical importance. Today it is busy, but the centre is full of charm.
• Newark Museum. A collection of town treasures, well displayed in rooms within the Town Hall. You can also visit the elegant 18th century Assembly Room, the historic Council Chamber overlooking the Market Place, the welcoming Mayor’s Parlour.
• Newark Millgate Museum, housed in a Victorian warehouse on the banks of the River Trent. It gives a glimpse of Newark's social and working life in the 19th and 20th centuries among its period streets, shops and rooms.
• St. Mary's Church Newark. Described as " one of the finest Parish Churches in the country."
• Newark Castle. Viewed from the west bank of the River Trent Newark Castle looks very impressive, but if you enter the park that surrounds the castle you discover that the walls are just a facade. Only one and a half sides of the castle remain, but that does include the oldest part of the castle, a large gatehouse. Inside are the Castle Gardens, small formal gardens designed by an eminent Victorian landscape Architect H E Milner
• Newark Air Museum. The museum is located two miles north east of Newark on Trent. A diverse collection of aircraft and cockpit sections covers the history of aviation. In addition to the aircraft the museum displays a diverse display of aviation artefacts and a collection of more than thirty aero engines.

• Torskey Castle. An impressive 16th century Tudor stone courtyard fortress, built on the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle, the remains are a bleak monument to Civil War slighting. It is however private and is best seen from the adjacent River Trent.

• Gainsborough. Once an important river port, this busy market town displays some fine 17th-century architecture,
• Gainsborough Old Hall. A medieval manor the Great Hall with its splendid, arched, wooden roof remains at the centre of the building to continue to inspire visitors. The kitchens remain virtually unchanged since they were built.
• All Saints Church of medieval origin and retains its medieval tower. However, the nave was rebuilt between 1736 and 1744, by Francis Smith the designer of All Saints Church in Derby, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the North Midlands.
• Gainsborough Model Railway. Trains of yesteryear, all running to a strict timetable. The building of the present railway commenced in 1953, and has now become one of the largest 'O' gauge model railways of its kind in the country.
  
  
  
  

Some pictures of this river?

Shardlow to Nottingham. / Nottingham to Cromwell lock.

A history of this river.

Find our information about other canals and rivers on the canal index page.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk