Be Your Own Captain Sailing Around Cheshire
If you like new experiences and are looking for a breakaway that’s a little out of the ordinary, we have just the thing for you.
We were invited to stay on board the magical Black Dog Narrowboat. A luxurious Canalboat owned by Cheshire locals, Chris & Lisa.
The boat is moored in Lyme View Marina. A secluded marina with nothing but a river and fields around it. Chris was there to meet us with a smile on his face and a luggage trolley in tow. We don’t carry our own luggage in Cheshire darlings.
A short walk later, we were at the boat and greeted by another smiling face; Lisa was there to show us the ropes. Quite literally, she was there to explain the ropes on the boat, how to wrap the ropes up appropriately and when we should be using our mooring pins etc.
Neither Jamie nor I have any experience in sailing boats (although Jamie thinks he’s a captain in a past life). I won’t lie, we were slightly nervous. Being in charge of a boat as luxurious and big as this is a little scary. That said, we had nothing to worry about. Chris took us through the boat for full induction. How to drive, how to Moore up, how to shower, and most importantly, how to use the coffee machine!! He armed us with all of the information we would need for our stay and was always on hand to answer any questions we had (Sorry for the 11 pm WhatsApp Messages Chris…).
Inside The Black Dog, you’ll find nothing but the finest finishes. Solid granite worktops in the kitchen, top-of-the-range appliances, custom artwork, a rainforest showerhead, and the softest Egyptian cotton Ralph Lauren sheets in the bedroom. If this Narrowboat does not scream Cheshire I don’t know what does. The finishes are very high-end and would not look out of place in a luxury apartment stay or hotel. We couldn't hide our excitement and I’m sure you won’t either.
While the interiors are stunning, the real beauty is outside. The ever-changing views are all around you. The Black Dog is on the Cheshire Ring canal. We took it for a spin up the Macclesfield Canal and onto The Peak forest Canal. We were floored with just how beautiful it is. You could spend hours on hours watching the hills, and many canal towns of Cheshire roll by. The whole journey onboard The Black Dog is yours to design.
Naturally, we planned our trip around the food we wanted to eat. We did find a couple of great spots on the Canal - keep your eyes peeled for our review on them, however, Chris has very kindly noted on his website some other great venues to visit on your voyage. For those that prefer to cook, you’re more than equipped for it on board. We treated ourselves to a little breakfast on the deck in the morning. Nothing but sunshine, ducks, countryside, coffee, and of course Prosecco…
So that concludes what was one of the most memorable Cheshire Staycays that we’ve ever had. It really was a magical experience and highly recommended for all of the family. There are hours upon hours of canals to explore. Sailing is really a team effort, so everyone will be able to get involved too.
Unbelievably The Black Dog has availability for the summer holiday and beyond. That means you can round up the kids, grab the dog, pack some shorts and T-Shirts and start cruising the canals of Cheshire and beyond!