Booking passage through tunnels and locks

Before you set off on a journey by boat, check your route and see if any sections need to be booked in advance. You can do this using the list below; just find the region and waterway you're visiting.

If you discover that you do need to book passage for a part of your journey, you can make your booking online. You may already have an account with us if you've previously bought a boat licence or a Waterway Wanderers fishing permit. If not, you can register for a new account.

Booking passage applies to all boats, regardless of whether you're a liveaboard boater or you're hiring a boat for a trip or holiday. You'll be asked which category you're in when you book.

How to book

Once signed in to your online account, you will see the ‘Bookings' section and the option to ‘Make a tunnel/passage booking'. From here you can choose where you want to book passage for, using a drop-down menu. You can search by region too.

When you start to make a booking, you'll have access to more detailed information about the lock, tunnel, other structure or stretch of water - for example, any relevant dimensions and the dates and time slots available. Once your booking is complete you'll be given instructions on what time you need to arrive by, where you need to be and any safety considerations, as well as any specific terms and conditions of the booking.

You can read our general terms and conditions for booking passage online beforehand.

Structures or stretches of water that can be booked in advance online

To make it easier for you to book passage in advance, we'll be adding more structures and stretches to our online booking system.

If you have any problems making your online booking, you can contact us by phone or email.

London & South

• Thames Lock, River Brent (more information about using Thames Lock)
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Three Mills, Carpenters Road & City Mill Locks, Bow Back Rivers (more information about using Three Mills, Carpenters Road & City Mill Locks)
• Limehouse Lock, Regents Canal (more information about using Limehouse Lock)

East Midlands

• Blisworth Tunnel, Grand Union Canal (booking only necessary for widebeam craft)
• Braunston Tunnel, Grand Union Canal (booking only necessary for widebeam craft)
• Saddington Tunnel, Grand Union Canal (booking only necessary for widebeam craft)

West Midlands

• Frankton Locks, Montgomery Canal
• Harecastle Tunnel, Trent & Mersey Canal

North East

• Tinsley Lock Flight, Sheffield & Tinsley Canal
• Bingley Three and Five Rise Locks, Leeds & Liverpool Canal - no booking required throughout the summer months, opening hours can be checked here
• Newlay & Kirkstall Forge Locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal – no booking required, but locked overnight
• Standedge Tunnel, Huddersfield Narrow Canal, first passages to commence 31st March 2025
• Marsden flight, Huddersfield Narrow Canal (Standedge Tunnel booking is required)
• Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochdale Canal will be open for booked passage only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the winter period. Summer opening hours will run from 14th March 2025 to 2nd November 2025
• Keadby Lock, Stainforth and Keadby Canal. Through the winter period all bookings must be directed to our Yorkshire North East customer service team by calling 03030 404040 during office hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm), with no less than 48 hours' notice, from 1st April bookings need to be made by calling Keadby Lock on 07733 124611 48hrs in advance
• West Stockwith Lock, Chesterfield Canal/River. Through the winter period all bookings must be directed to our Yorkshire North East customer service team by calling 03030 404040 during office hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm), with no less than 48 hours' notice, from 1st April bookings need to be made by calling West Stockwith Lock on 07884238780 48hrs in advance
• Naburn Lock, River Ouse,  Booking: 48hr advanced booking required. Please contact lock keeper on 01904 728500
• Selby lock, Selby Canal, Booking: 48hr advanced booking required. Please contact lock keeper on 01757 703182

North West

• Anderton Boat Lift, River Weaver (more information about using Anderton Boat Lift)
• Liverpool Canal Link and Salthouse Docks, Leeds & Liverpool Canal (more information about boating on the Liverpool Canal Link)
• Ribble Canal Link, Lancaster Canal/River Ribble (more information about boating on the Ribble Link)
• Marsh Lock, River Weaver (online booking coming soon, but for now please call 03030 404040 and ask for the North West team)
• Bridgewater Passage (more information about Bridgewater Passage)