River Trent

Quick Facts

• River Trent (navigable): approximately 90 miles from Shardlow to Trent Falls (junction with the Humber), of which around 40 miles non-tidal to Cromwell Lock and approximately 50 miles tidal beyond
• River Trent locks: 13 large manned locks on the non-tidal section
• Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation: 43 miles, 27 locks
• Connects: Trent links the Trent & Mersey at Shardlow → Nottingham → Newark → Cromwell → Keadby/Trent Falls. S&SY links Sheffield → Rotherham → Doncaster → Keadby (Trent), with the New Junction Canal connection to the Aire & Calder.
• Build period & engineer: Trent navigation improved progressively from the 17th century; S&SY upgraded for 700-tonne barges in the 1970s–80s
• Boat dimensions: Trent locks accept commercial barges; S&SY varies — Ickles Lock 68 ft 7 in by 19 ft, Thorne Lock 61 ft 7 in by 18 ft 4 in. Plan around the smallest lock on your intended route.
• Typical cruise time: 5–7 days end-to-end depending on tide windows

What's it like to cruise?

This is big-water cruising — the Trent is a wide, fast river with substantial commercial-style locks, and the S&SY is a working commercial waterway with mechanised structures. Long fast pounds, big skies, industrial heritage, and a serious feel that contrasts sharply with the narrow canals. The non-tidal Trent above Cromwell is straightforward; below Cromwell the river is tidal and requires planning. The S&SY through Doncaster and Rotherham is mostly canal, with the New Junction to the Aire & Calder one of the straightest cuts in Britain.

Highlights along the route

• Newark — castle, lock, basin and historic riverside town.
• Nottingham — the Trent passes the city at Trent Bridge with central moorings at Castle Wharf and Meadow Lane.
• Cromwell Lock — the boundary between non-tidal and tidal Trent; major waypoint.
• Keadby — junction with the tidal Trent and the canalised S&SY system.
• Sheffield Basin (Victoria Quays) — restored urban terminus with moorings in the city centre.
• Conisbrough Viaduct — striking railway crossing of the S&SY corridor.

Connections & cruising rings

The Trent links the Midlands canal network (via Trent & Mersey at Shardlow), the Erewash and Cromford routes, the Fossdyke and Witham (to Boston) at Torksey, and the Chesterfield Canal at West Stockwith. The S&SY connects to the Aire & Calder via the New Junction Canal. Forms part of the Yorkshire Ring and several long-distance trans-network passages.

Suitable for

Experienced boaters. Tidal Trent passage requires VHF, lifejackets and tide-window planning. The big locks on both navigations are easy if you are confident with size; intimidating if you are not. Not a beginner's choice.

Practicalities

• Tidal passages: book lock-keepers at Cromwell, Keadby, West Stockwith and Torksey. Fixed tide windows.
• Water and elsan: at Shardlow, Nottingham, Newark, Torksey, Keadby, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield.
• Mobile signal: good across most of the route.
• Pump-out: at major marinas; fewer than on the southern canals.
• VHF radio: strongly recommended for tidal sections (Channel 74 on the Trent below Cromwell).

Best time to cruise

May to September — the tidal sections are more comfortable in settled weather. River levels should be checked daily after heavy rain.