MIDDLEWICH AND RETURN FROM BLACKWATER

 

Route Info | Boats | Map overview of route | Cruising Notes | Maps & Guides | Links | Pub Guide

 

You can do this route from :
Blackwater Meadow.

Blackwater Meadow

Shropshire

 

A very rural and tranquil cruise through some lovely scenery

A lovely cruise through the area around Ellesmere known as the 'mini Lake District', as you pass some of the Mere's at Ellesmere. The largest mere is to the west of the tunnel as you approach it. Immediately after the tunnel is Blake Mere, then Cole Mere to the east. These Mere's were formed during the Ice Age.


Through the Grindley Brook small flight of 3 staircase locks to the salt producing town of Middlewich.

Every year, for three days in June, there is a folk and boat festival, known as the Middlwich FAB Festival, which is well worth going there for. There are artists, music, food, traders of all kinds

Route Info

Route Facts & Figures

Recommended Holiday
Duration : 7 nights.

Total Cruising Days : 8.00
(Partial or full days)

Total Cruising Time : 40.50 hours

Total Distance : 73.00 miles

Number of Locks : 46

Number of Tunnels : 2

Number of Aqueducts : 12

Read the Cruising Notes

Read our cruising notes to help you plan your canal boat holiday

Read our cruising notes.

 

 

 

 

 

Cruising Notes


Day 1

As you leave the marina on the Llangollen Canal, you will first head towards Ellesmere Tunnel, which is only 87 yards long.

Heading towards the tunnel, you will see why Ellesmere is known as the 'mini Lake District', as you pass some of the Mere's at Ellesmere. The largest mere is to the west of the tunnel as you approach it. Immediately after the tunnel is Blake Mere, then Cole Mere to the east. These Mere's were formed during the Ice Age.

You will now be cruising through a remote and underpopulated area, with no sign of life for several miles, but there are some pretty bridges until you reach Bettisfield. This is a tiny village with only about 150 houses. It is near to Whixall Moss, a local peat bog nature reserve, which in 1996 was declared a National Nature Reserve because of its importance to wildlife. There are no shops or a pub in the village.
You have cruised 4 miles in 2 hours.


Day 2

At Bridge 46 there is a sharp right arm called Prees Branch.

Leaving your mooring, your first task today is navigating Tilstock Park Lift Bridge 42, which is very picturesque.

The canal now gently wends its way towards Whitchurch through a series of more lift bridges, peaceful countryside, until you reach the entrance to the Whitchurch Arm, on your right, where you can moor up and walk about ½ mile if you want to have a look around Whitchurch.

From its elevated position in the centre of Whitchurch, St Alkmund's Church is well worth visiting. It was opened in 1713, and in 1951 it was designated a Grade I listed building.

In the town, you will find lots of lovely pubs, shops and cafe's. Lots of the buildings are of Tudor style, giving this pretty market town a rather quaint feel to it.

The Black Bear is opposite St Alkmund's, so an ideal place to sit and people watch with a nice cool drink, and perhaps a meal if you've not yet eaten.

Once you leave Whitchurch, you will head towards the Grindley Brook Locks. These three staircase locks are closely followed by three more locks, where from April – October there is a friendly lock-keeper. Nearby, is a cafe serving drinks and snacks, and Lockside Stores, selling local produce.

Moving on, you will encounter the occasional lock, the second one having a pub ideally situated right next to it – The Willeymoor Tavern, which was formerly the lock-keepers cottage. Inside, are some lovely canal paintings.

Today you have cruised 10 miles, and navigated 8 locks, in just under 6.5 hours.


Day 3

After a wide arc to the left, you will approach Marbury, right near Marbury Lock, and further again is Wrenbury, which you can access from Bridge 19 or 20, about 3/4 of a mile away.
Wrenbury is another pretty village with Tudor style cottages clustered around the village green, one of which – Elm House – is a Grade II listed cottage, dating from C17th, as are some of the others in the village, including the village school.

Parts of Wrenbury Hall date from C17th, and formerly belonged to the Starkey family, who were prominent landowners until 1920.

There are two pubs in the village – The Cotton Arms and The Dusty Miller.
Annually, the first weekend in July is Wrenbury's 'Scarecrow Trail', part of the Summer Fayre celebrations. It is well worth a visit if you are nearby at this time.

Leaving here, you will soon come across a lift bridge, which if down, you will need to let a crew member off to raise it using the windlass, and then there are the three locks at Baddley.
Continue along the canal and through the Swanley Locks, until you reach Hurleston Locks. When you reach Hurleston Bottom Lock No. 1, you can safely moor for the night.

You have covered a distance of 9 miles, navigated 10 locks, all in just under 6½ hours.


Day 4

Leaving your mooring, bear left off of Hurleston Junction until you reach the junction at Barbridge, where you will need to bear right onto the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch).

Before you turn onto the Shropshire Union Canal, you might like to moor up at Barbridge, and perhaps have a drink or snack at The Olde Barbridge Inn, in an idyllic spot right alongside the canal and Barbridge Marina.

Moving on, this stretch of canal is beautifully picturesque, with some very tranquil moorings. The countryside is remote and pretty as you cruise through Cholmondeston. If you have time, you can moor up and take public transport to visit Beeston Castle. For prices and opening times, visit their website.
You will now cruise towards Church Minshull, through woods and farmland. This beautiful little village with the church at its centre, is home to Yankee Candles, where you can buy gifts, glass and flowers. It is well worth visiting the village, even if only for its quaintness.

The canal now wends its way towards Middlwich, where you should turn at Middlewich Junction and moor at Hughes Bridge No. 25 for the night, and also to visit Middlwich.

Middlewich has, since Roman times, been a major site for salt production, which has remained its principal industry. There are four supermarkets here, so a good time to stock up on provisions for the return journey.

Every year, for three days in June, there is a folk and boat festival, known as the Middlwich FAB Festival, which is well worth going there for. There are artists, music, food, traders of all kinds, so if you are interested, visit their website for all the details.

Today you have navigated 7 locks in 13 miles in just under 6.5 hours.


Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

You will now retrace your journey back to Blackwater Meadow Marina.

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.

Boats

The following boats operate on this route (subject to availability)
Happy Wren Canal Boat
Class : Wren
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Alpine Swift Canal Boat
Class : Swift
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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American Black Swift Canal Boat
Class : Swift
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Pied Plover Canal Boat
Class : Plover
(Sleeps a maximum of 5 People).

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Archers Lark Canal Boat
Class : Lark
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Crested Lark Canal Boat
Class : Lark
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Tawny Eagle Canal Boat
Class : Eagle
(Sleeps a maximum of 7 People).

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Dartford Warbler Canal Boat
Class : Warbler
(Sleeps a maximum of 8 People).

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Greenish Warbler Canal Boat
Class : Warbler
(Sleeps a maximum of 8 People).

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Scops Owl Canal Boat
Class : Owl
(Sleeps a maximum of 10 People).

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Lady Of Trent Canal Boat
Class : CLC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Sawley Queen Canal Boat
Class : CLC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Valya Canal Boat
Class : CLC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Christina Canal Boat
Class : CLC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Natasha Canal Boat
Class : CLC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Tamara Canal Boat
Class : CLC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Cuban Amazon Canal Boat
Class : CBC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Chattering Lory Canal Boat
Class : CBC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Crimson Rosella Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Adelaide Rosella Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Hyacinth Macaw Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Josephines Lory Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Singing Parrot Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Cuban Amazon Canal Boat
Class : CBC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

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Chattering Lory Canal Boat
Class : CBC4
(Sleeps a maximum of 4 People).

READ MORE
Crimson Rosella Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Adelaide Rosella Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Hyacinth Macaw Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Josephines Lory Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

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Singing Parrot Canal Boat
Class : CBC6
(Sleeps a maximum of 6 People).

READ MORE

Maps and Guides

Pub Guide

Sorry, we have no pub guide for this route currently.

 

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The information above is provided in good faith to assist you with planning your canal boat holiday. Information accuracy cannot be guaranteed, however, if you do see something that needs updating, please don't hesitate to contact us.