UK Canal Boating

Day 1
Fom Middlewich Top wharf you descend into Middlewich and then you turn off right down the Middlewich Branch Canal. The canalside area of Middlewich is a haven of peace below the busy streets. The town has been extracting salt since Roman times, and there is an interesting town trail north of Bridge 172. There are various pubs canalside along this stretch.
As you go under the Bridge on the Middlewich Branch you encounter another lock, and after Bridge 27 as you head out of town there is another lock- Stanthorne Lock, and then you can relax & enjoy the scenery in the next lock free section of the canal.

This attractive & often under rated canal provides some wonderfully tranquil rural moorings. This is a quiet section of the canal, passing through rich farmland interspersed with woods.

There are no towns and only one small village- Church Minshull, a good place to moor as the Badger pub is in the
village- about 10 minutes walk from Bridge 14 to your right along Cross lane . It is 2.5 hours to here

Day 2
Soon you reach the Junction of the Shropshire Union Canal at Barbridge where you'll find the Jolly Tar pub or the Olde Barbridge Inn in canalside with moorings.

Turn left at the junction, towards Nantwich.
In a short while you will see the Llangollen Canal to your right, do not turn off the Shropshire Union however, as you will soon reach the lovely town of Nantwich.
It takes about 6.75 hours to get here from Middlewich.

Nantwich has been prosperous since Roman times because of the Salt springs, but the town was devastated by fire in 1583, and has mostly been rebuilt in the Tudor style.

There are numerous pubs & restaurants in the town.

If you have time to travel a bit further on, there is Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker very close to the canal. It is described as ' a unique and exiting day out discovering the unusual world of Nuclear Government', this unusual attraction beside bridge 85 would have become home to the select few in the event of a nuclear strike.

Turn your boat after Bridge 91 if not visiting the Nuclear Bunker, if you are visiting then turn before Hack Green Locks and walk to the Bunker after Bridge 85.

Day 3

It is just over 6 hours back to Middlewich

 

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 Information may become inaccurate or out of date.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.