Shropshire Union Canal

The Shropshire Union Canal runs from Wolverhampton, though rural Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire, to finish at Ellesmere Port and the River Mersey. The Shropshire Union Canal is 64 miles long, and it takes a fairly leisurely 4 days to cruise.

The character of the Shropshire Union Canal is different to most other canals as it was constructed in the twilight of the canal age. Using deep cuttings and high embankments, the Shropshire Union Canal is much straighter and requires fewer locks. The deep cuttings are atmospheric and are full of wildlife such as Herons and kingfishers, whilst the high embankments provide wonderful views over the Staffordshire and Shropshire countryside.

Some of the highlights of the Shropshire Union Canal include:

• Delightful little Staffordshire villages such as Brewood, Wheaton Aston, Church Eaton and Gnosall.
• The Stretton Aqueduct over the A5 near Brewood.
• Cowley Tunnel, where you emerge onto a high embankment and views of rolling countryside.
• Descend gently towards the little market town of Market Drayton via a set of locks. Market Drayton is very attractive with lots of old half-timbered buildings and a lovely mediaeval church.
• Audlem Locks, with its famous flight of 15 locks, followed by a small aqueduct over the River Weaver.
• The fine old town of Nantwich dating from the Roman times, with its aqueduct.
• Hurleston Junction that defines the start of the Llangollen Canal.
• Barbridge Junction for the Middleton Branch connecting to the Trent and Mersey canal at Middlewich junction, forming part of the Four Counties Ring.
• The delightful village of Christleton with a green and lots of old houses, just on the outskirts of the city of Chester.
• The historic city of Chester with its Roman walls, quirky shopping 'rows', dating back to the Middle Ages, and a lovely cathedral.