Canal Boating Holidays - Shropshire Union Canal Guide

Shropshire Union Canal Narrowboat Holiday Hire - Shropshire Union Canal - Canal Barge Holidays - Shropshire Union Canal Cruiser Boat Hire

Shropshire Union Canal Canal Location and Basic Information

The beginning of the Shropshire Union Canal is at Autherley Junction - Categories contents are listed from the beginning of the canal, canal branch or canal arm

Autherley Junction (Terminus) - Junction with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire (Staffs & Worcs) Canal - Main Line

Norbury Junction - Junction with the Disused Shrewsbury, Newport and Trench branches

Hurleston Junction - Junction with the Llangollen Canal - Leading to the Montgomery Canal

Barbridge Junction - Junction with the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal

Tower Wharf Junction - Junction with the Remnants of the Chester Canal (restricted passage) - Leading to the River Dee (restricted navigation)

Ellesmere Port (Terminus) - Junction with the Manchester Ship Canal (restricted passage)

Middlewich Branch

BW Boaters Facilities on the Shropshire Union Canal

Official Moorings - Many supplied by The Shropshire Union Canal Society:

After Pendeford Bridge 4 - Bilbrook - Close to Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve
Between Hunting Bridge 7 and Park Bridge 8 (Brewood Park Farm)
Brewood, between School Bridge 13 and Brewood Bridge 14
Wheaton Aston, after winding hole before Tavern Bridge 19
Wheaton Aston, between Tavern Bridge 19 and Dirty Lane Bridge 20
Gnosall, Before Boat Inn Bridge 34
Gnosall, between Boat Inn Bridge 34 and Gnosall Bridge 35
Gnosall, after Gnosall water point to Plardiwick Bridge 36
Norbury Junction, after Norbury Aqueduct to Norbury stop lock
Old Lea Wharf South - south of Bridge 42 by Anchor Pub
Knighton Wood - Between Bridges 47 and 48
Old Lea Wharf North - north of Bridge 42
Shebdon Wharf (Inn)
Tyrley Locks, after Tyrley Farm Bridge 59 to Tyrley Top Lock winding hole
Market Drayton, from Market Drayton Aqueduct to to Bridge 62
Market Drayton Bridge 62 to water point
Market Drayton after Betton Bridge 63
Market Drayton after Lord's Bridge 64 (5 Day)
Adderley, by Adderley Wharf Bridge 69 (5 Day)
Audlem Locks, before Audlem Lock No.1
Audlem Locks, between Audlem Locks No.2 and No.3
Audlem Locks, between Audlem Locks No.11 and No.12
Audlem Locks, between Audlem Bridge and water point (both sides)
Audlem Locks, after water point and Audlem Lock No.13
Coole Pilate Recreation Area
Nantwich - After Marsh Lane Bridge 91 to permanent / long term moorings
Nantwich, after Nantwich Aqueduct to BW services
Hurleston Junction, after Cornes Bridge 96 to Hurleston Roving Bridge 97
Hurleston Junction, after Hurleston Junction
Barbridge, after Bremilow's Bridge 100 to old stop lock
Barbridge, between Barbridge Junction and Goodwin Bridge 101
After Calverley Bridge 104
Above Wharton's Lock (48hrs) by Beeston Castle
Adjacent to Tattenhall Marina (48 hrs)
After Rowton Bridge 120 to Cheshire Cat PH
Christleton, before water point at Christleton Bridge 122 by The Old Trooper (Harvester Restaurant) PH (48hr)
Chester after Bridge 123D to The Frog and Nightingale PH (14 days)
Chester after Cow Lane Bridge 123E to Chester City Walls (48 hrs)
Chester between Bridge 123L and water point before dry dock (7 days on rings)
South of Stanney Mill Bridge No.141 - Cheshire Oaks Retail Village and Blue Planet Aquarium
North of Weavers Bridge No.142 - Coliseum Leisure Park
Ellesmere Port, before Ellesmere Port Boat Museum by Powell's Bridge 147

Water Points
100 mtrs after Napton Narrowboats, Autherley Junction
Wheaton Aston Wharf, Wheaton Aston Lock and Tavern Bridge 18
Gnosall, after Gnosall Bridge 35
Norbury Junction, at junction of old Newport Branch
Tyrley Wharf, by winding hole (2009 Unserviceable)
Market Drayton x2, Betton Bridge 63
Audlem x2 above and below Lock 13
Nantwich Services, before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92
Calveley Services, before Calveley Bridge 104
Christleton Bridge 122 by The Old Trooper (Harvester Restaurant) No mooring rings!
Above Hoole Lane Lock No.5 by water tower
Chester, Telford Warehouse Basin before dry dock
Before Ellesmere Port Boat Museum by Powell's Bridge 147

Toilets
Wheaton Aston Wharf, Wheaton Aston Lock and Tavern Bridge 18
Tyrley Wharf, by winding hole
Market Drayton, Betton Bridge 63
Nantwich Services, before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92
Calveley Services, before Calveley Bridge 104
Chester, Tower Wharf Service Station -  Telford Warehouse Basin behind dry dock by Top Lock of old Chester Branch
Before Ellesmere Port Boat Museum by Powell's Bridge 147

Showers
Norbury Junction, at junction of old Newport Branch
Nantwich Services, before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92

Refuse Disposal
Adjacent to Junction Bridge 1
Wheaton Aston Wharf, Wheaton Aston Lock and Tavern Bridge 18
Norbury Junction, at junction of old Newport Branch
Tyrley Wharf, by top lock
Market Drayton, Betton Bridge 63
Audlem above Lock 13
Nantwich Services, before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92
Calveley Services, before Calveley Bridge 104
Chester, under bridge 123H next to Northgate Staircase Top Lock
Before Ellesmere Port Boat Museum by Powell's Bridge 147

Recycling Centres
None

Elsan / Sewage Point
Wheaton Aston Wharf, Wheaton Aston Lock and Tavern Bridge 18
Norbury Junction, at junction of old Newport Branch
Market Drayton, Betton Bridge 63
Nantwich Services, before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92
Calveley Services, before Calveley Bridge 104
Chester, Tower Wharf Service Station -  Telford Warehouse Basin behind dry dock by Top Lock of old Chester Branch

Self Service Pump Out
Wheaton Aston Wharf, Wheaton Aston Lock and Tavern Bridge 18
Market Drayton, Betton Bridge 63
Calveley Services, before Calveley Bridge 104
Chester, Tower Wharf Service Station -  Telford Warehouse Basin behind dry dock by Top Lock of old Chester Branch
Before Ellesmere Port Boat Museum by Powell's Bridge 147

Laundry Facilities
Norbury Junction, at junction of old Newport Branch

Main Cities, Towns and Villages along the Shropshire Union Canal Canal

Brewood, Staffordshire - Canalside pub, Shops within half a mile

Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire - Canalside pub - Shops within half a mile

Gnosall, Staffordshire - Canalside pubs - Shops within half a mile

Market Drayton, Shropshire - Pub close to canal - Town centre shops within 1 mile - Bus on the hour from Talbot Inn off Bridge 62

Audlem, Cheshire - Canalside pubs - Village shops within half a mile

Nantwich, Cheshire - Town centre shops within 1 mile - Bus stop below aqueduct

Barbridge, Cheshire

Beeston, Cheshire

Waverton, Cheshire

Christleton, Cheshire - Canalside pubs - Sainsbury's Supermarket half a mile from Christleton Bridge 122 by The Old Trooper (Harvester Restaurant) - Village shop within half a mile

Chester, Cheshire - Canalside pubs - City centre shops within half a mile - Tesco Supermarket and Iceland Store within 100yds of The Frog and Nightingale at Cow Lane Bridge 123E

Narrowboat Holiday Hire on the Shropshire Union Canal Canal - Part of The Four Counties Cruising Ring

Shropshire Union Canal Boat Hire

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Napton Narrowboats, Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union Canal) - Napton Narrowboats - From their hire base at the beginning of the Shropshire Union Canal, Napton Narrowboats offer a fleet of modern and well designed narrowboats. Ideally placed to enjoy a superb choice of routes including the Four Counties Cruising Ring. Their narrowboats are extremely comfortable, quiet and well equipped craft with quality fittings and furnishings throughout. - 01902 789942

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Countrywide Cruisers, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Brewood Wharf - 01902 850166

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Norbury Wharf Ltd, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Norbury Junction

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Holidays Afloat, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Market Drayton - 01630 652937

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Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays at Overwater Marina, Audlem
Luxury 4-8 berth narrowboats, ideal for cruising to Llangollen or the Four Counties Ring

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Empress Holidays, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Nantwich, Before Nantwich Junction Bridge 92

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Chas Hardern, Beeston Castle Wharf

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Jacaranda Narrowboat Holidays, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Tattenhall Marina

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Anglo Welsh, on the Shropshire Union Canal at The Canal Wharf, Bunbury

Cruiser Holiday Hire on the Shropshire Union Canal Canal

Shropshire Union Canal Canal Day Boat Hire

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Norbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal

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Nantwich Canal Centre, on the Shropshire Union Canal at Nantwich Basin

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Anglo Welsh, on the Shropshire Union Canal at The Canal Wharf, Bunbury

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Tattenhall Marina, on the Shropshire Union Canal

Charter Boats That Cruise The Shropshire Union Canal Canal

Hotel Boats That Cruise The Shropshire Union Canal Canal

Shropshire Union Canal Canal Trip Boats

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust - A registered Charity No. 1084432 - A Company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales No. 3853212. Founded in 1984 and is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers. The Trust operates two purpose-built canal boats providing a choice of day trips and residential breaks from spring to autumn each year from various departure points in Cheshire. Our trips have proved very popular and many of our clients, mostly senior citizens, youth groups and disabled persons, return, year after year, to enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the canals, the countryside and the wildlife. Tel: 0151 357 1783 - Info: info@wirralnarrowboats.com - Bookings: bookings@wirralnarrowboats.com

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Narrowboat Centaur Trip Boat from the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

Shropshire Union Canal Canal Restaurant Boats

Shropshire Union Canal Restaurant Boats

L' eau-T Cuisine, Restaurant Cruises, Mill Hotel, Chester.

MAP

Right on the old Chester Canal Branch, part of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Renowned for "Roman High Tea Cruises", Luncheon cruises and Dinner cruises, aboard the widebeam canal craft that reaches Roman parts of Chester that no other transport does!

During your 1 hour Roman High Tea Cruise you will be served your choice of tea or coffee and a selection of sandwiches and cakes.

Roman High Tea Cruise will commence 16.00 daily, you will be required to be at the hotel for 15.45 ready for 16.00 boarding. Pre booking is essential, as a minimum of 20 guest booked is required for the cruiser to sail. (2009 - Roman High Tea Cruises - £10.00pp)

Tel: 01244 350035

Web: www.MillHotel.com

Shropshire Union Canal Canalside Pubs and Restaurants

Brewood, Staffordshire - The Bridge Inn, Brewood Bridge 14, above canal level

Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire - The Hartley Arms, Tavern Bridge 19, above canal level.

Gnosall, Staffordshire - The Boat Inn, Boat Inn Bridge 34 / The Navigation, Gnosall Bridge 35

Norbury Junction, Staffordshire - Junction Inn, Bridge 38 popular canalside pub / Old Wharf Tea Room, Norbury Wharf

Anchor Bridge 42 - Anchor, Canalside PH

Shebdon, Staffordshire - Wharf Inn, by aqueduct, below canal level.

Goldstone Bridge 55 - The Wharf Tavern - canalside pub.

Market Drayton, Shropshire - The Talbot, close to the canal, east of Newcastle Street Bridge 62

Audlem, Cheshire - Bridge Inn PH, Audlem Bridge 78, above canal level / Shroppie Fly PH, historic canalside pub above Audlem Lock N0.13

Nantwich, Cheshire - Fish and Chips 400mtrs town direction from Nantwich Aqueduct

Barbridge, Cheshire - The Old Barbridge Inn, after Bremilow's Bridge 100 opposite towpath, canalside pub with patron's moorings / The Jolly Tar PH, opposite Barbridge Junction away from canal on Nantwich Road (A51T)

Calveley, Cheshire - The Goldmine Bar and Grill, 400mtrs east from Calveley Bridge 104

Bate's Mill Bridge 109 - The Shady Oak PH, canalside pub with patron's moorings

Crow's Nest Bridge 113 - The Poacher's Pocket PH 500mtrs west of canal

Christleton, Cheshire - After Bridge 120 The Cheshire Cat canalside but no canal view / At Christleton Bridge 122 The Old Trooper (Harvester Restaurant), canalside but restricted canal views.

Chester, Cheshire - The Bridge PH between Tarvin Lock and Chemistry Lock / The Old Harkers Arms by City Road Bridge 123B / The Mill Hotel before Bridge 123D / The Frog and Nightingale at Cow Lane Bridge 123E very popular canalside pub / Telford's Warehouse after Bridge 123L  Overlooking Chester Canal Basin, popular (noisy)  historic canalside pub

Places to visit and things to do or see on the Shropshire Union Canal

Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve - Due to the extremely sensitive environmental nature of the reserve, all visits must be booked in advance - Please telephone the Warden, Paul Coxill on 01902 397640 or 01902 551155 for more details.

Stretton Aqueduct (left), between Broomhall Bridge 16 and Lapley Wood Bridge 17. Elegant cast iron aqueduct by Thomas Telford

Wheaton Aston Village - Shops / Pubs

Woodseaves Cutting, between Cheswardine Bridge 56 and Hollings Bridge Bridge 58, Woodseaves Cutting is a very deep cutting mostly through solid rock

Market Drayton Historic 'Gingerbread' town and museum

Hack Green, Secret Nuclear Bunker, 300mtrs from Burrows Bridge 85

Nantwich Historic 'Salt' town and museum

Beeston Iron Lock - Thomas Telford's solution to lightening the building load on a sandy substrate.

Beeston Castle - About 1km from Wharton's Lock (48hr moorings)

Chester City - Roman City Walls, Amphitheatre and Museum - River Dee boat trip

Northgate Staircase Locks, Chester - Cut out of the solid bedrock

Cheshire Oaks Retail Village - MAP - (mooring south of Stanney Mill Bridge No.141)

Blue Planet Aquarium - Longlooms Road, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 9LF - 0151 357 8804 - (mooring south of Stanney Mill Bridge No.141)

Coliseum Leisure Park (mooring north of Weavers Bridge No.142)

Ellesmere Port Boat Museum - One of three National Boat Museums

Keep an eye out for:

The 'Fancy Bridge' - Avenue Bridge No.10

Kingfishers, particularly in the cutting south of Cowley Tunnel

Narrowboat Saturn around Audlem - Last of the Shroppie Fly-boats

The three round lock keepers buildings at Tilstone, Tarvin and Beeston Stone Lock

Chandlers on the Shropshire Union Canal

Norbury Wharf, Norbury, Staffordshire

Nantwich Canal Centre, Nantwich Basin, Nantwich, Cheshire - 01270 625122

Shropshire Union Canal Boatyards and Marinas with Diesel

Napton Narrowboats, Autherley Stop Lock, Autherley Junction

Turner's Garage, Wheaton Aston, Tavern Bridge 19 - Probably the cheapest red diesel on the canal system!

Norbury Wharf, Norbury Junction, Staffordshire

Betton Mill Wharf, Market Drayton, before Betton Bridge 63 CLOSED / FOR SALE

Nantwich Canal Centre, Nantwich Basin

Tattenhall Marina, after Dutton's Bridge 112

Boating Holidays Maps

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