Page updated 22 October 2005 

The Shropshire Union Canal

Autherley Junction

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Bridges 2-3 N97#4p66 N2k#4p66

Delete last sentence in the main text, as there are no picnic sites by these bridges.

Bridges 2-3 N97#4p67 N2k#4p67

The unnumbered bridge north of Bridge 2 should be marked Bridge 3, Turnover Bridge.  The one numbered 3 in the guide should be unnumbered (a new road bridge).

Bridges 3 N97#4p67 N2k#4p67

The towpath changes to the east bank north of the real Bridge 3 not the one marked as Bridge 3.

Bridges 3-4 N97#4p67 N2k#4p67

Wolverhampton Boat Club is between these bridges.

M54 Bridge N97#4p67 N2k#4p67

The bridge shown just south of where the M54 crosses the canal does not exist.

Brewood

Bridge 14 N97#4p69 N2k#4p69

The garage by the bridge is closed on Sundays.  The other garage shown on the local map displayed on the towpath no longer exists.

Brewood Wharf N97#4p69 N2k#4p69

Countrywide Cruisers sell Diesel (almost as cheaply as the garage by Bridge 19).

Wheaton Aston Lock N97#4p68 N2k#4p68

The facilities by the lock now include a Sewage Disposal Point and card-operated Pump-Out.

Bridge 19 N97#4p68 N2k#4p68

Turners Garage (Opening times: 07:00 - 18:00 - Not Sundays), mentioned in the main text, does indeed appear consistently to be the cheapest on the system (20.9p/l in 05/02, 20.5 p/l on 26/06/02, 19.8p/l on 08/08/02 and 21.9p/l on 4/7/03).

Norbury Junction N97#4p72 N2k#4p72

It is possible to wind here, outside the hire boat base.

Bridge 41 N97#4p75 N2k#4p75

There's a winding hole ¼ mile south east of the bridge.

Bridge 42 N97#4p75 N2k#4p75 N03#4p89

The Anchor's normal evening opening time is 19:00.

Tyrley Wharf N97#4p76 N2k#4p76

The text says there are good moorings at the wharf but most of them are long-term, not visitor moorings.

Market Drayton

Market Drayton N97#4p76

There are three boatyards on the off-side in Market Drayton, Holidays Afloat, by Bridge 62, Ted's Boatyard by Bridge 63 and Tom's Moorings by Bridge 64.

Bridge 63 N97#4p76 N2k#4p76 N03#4p92

The sanitary station by the bridge has a coin operated DIY pump-out.

It is possible to wind at Ted's Boatyard (Betton Mill in the 2000 edition). The boatyard offers cheap diesel, but not as cheap as Turners Garage (Bridge 19), and the pump-out (only £7.50 in August 2003) was reported as "very thorough".

Bridge 65 N97#4p79 N2k#4p79

The disused railway bridge north of bridge 65 has been removed.

Locks 11-14 N97#4p81 N2k#4p81

There are visitor moorings in the 3 pounds between these locks, and Water Points both above and below Lock 13.

Bridge 78 N97#4p80 N2k#4p80

The Bridge pub, canalside at the bridge, does not have disabled access.

Audlem N97#4p81 N2k#4p81

The garage in Audlem is closed on Sundays.

Bridges 83-84 N97#4p81 N2k#4p81

There are good moorings with picnic tables and permanent BBQ facilities between these bridges, but no other facilities.

Nantwich N2k#4p82

The Oddfellows Arms (Welsh Row, Nantwich. Tel: 01270 624758) was listed in the 1997 edition (mentioning its many nooks and crannies and Burtonwood Real Ale) and still exists (Aug 2001). Serves bar meals but no credit/debit cards or cheques accepted.

Bridges 95/96 N97#4p84 N2k#4p84

There is a pipe bridge just south of the winding hole between these bridges.

Hurleston Junction

Llangollen Canal

Hurleston Reservoir N97#4p84 N2k#4p84

There is a pipe bridge just north of Hurleston Reservoir.

Barbridge N97#4p84 N2k#4p84

The village no longer has a PO or stores as it's been converted back to a house.

Barbridge Junction

Barbridge Junction N97#4p84 N2k#4p84

The water point is immediately north of the narrows directly opposite the Jolly Tar pub, just before the bridge that crosses the Middlewich Branch.  It's next to the telegraph pole.

Bridge 103 N97#4p84 N2k#4p84 N03#4p98

The scanner dish mentioned in the text no longer exists and is not even shown (as Radio Telescope) on the map of the 2003 edition. (It was just south of the expanded Wardle Industrial Estate.)

Bridge 104 N97#4p89

The towpath should be on North East bank from the right hand page edge to Bridge 104 .

Bridge 104 N97#4p89 N2k#4p89

There is a new BW sanitary station with shower and pump-out just east of Calvery Bridge, adjacent to the old wharf.  Cards for operating the facilities are available on site. BW staff can usually be found in the workshop round the back.

Davenport Arms has a new telephone number (01829 260470). there's also a new Landlady and Landlord. Neither seems willing to play the guitar, so don't bother to ask for a tune!

Bunbury Staircase Locks N97#4p89

There is a winding hole just above Bunbury Staircase Locks.

Bridge 105 N97#4p88 N2k#4p88

In the main text delete the sentence which incorrectly states that there are good moorings between Bridge 105 and the railway bridge.  This is actually a busy hire boat base of Anglo Welsh (Dartline, in the 1997 edition).

Tilstone Lock P2kWW#13

The small circular building with bricked up windows found here is a toll booth, and not a store for lengthmen's tools.

Beeston Stone Lock P2kWW#13

The small circular building with bricked up windows found here is a toll booth, and not a store for lengthmen's tools.

Beeston Stone Lock N97#4p88 N2k#4p88 N03#4p102 P2kWW#13

The main text refers to a shop, Caroline Docherty's according to Pearson, selling pies, preserves and general supplies. This has closed and the house is for sale.

Beeston Iron Lock N97#4p88 N2k#4p88

The lock has no ladder making it difficult to navigate when solo.  BW have also a erected a sign which says that due to bowing ironwork, you may not use the lock with two 70ft boats.

Beeston Castle N97#4p89 N2k#4p89 N03#4p103

The castle is presumably 14th century, if it was built in 1337.

Bridge 113 N97#4p91

There is a winding hole on the east side of the bridge.

Bridge 113 N97#4p91 N2k#4p91 N03#4p105

Crow's Nest Boat Services (Tel: 07870 472632) has a yard by the bridge and offers diesel, gas and pump-out.

Bridge 120 N97#4p90

The Cheshire Cat pub lies just west of the bridge and has limited moorings. Food is available all day every day.

Chester

Bridge 121 N97#4p93 N2k#4p93

There is a winding hole south of the bridge.  According to the main text of the 2000 edition, there is also a useful stores, but this reference has been removed in the 2003 edition.

Bridge 122 N97#4p93 N2k#4p93 N2k#4p107 P2kWW#15

The water point shown near Bridge 121 is, in fact, beside the towpath abutment of Bridge 122.
(Not shown in either location by Pearson!)

Bridge 123 N03#4p106

There is no longer a garage selling gas and red diesel west of the bridge.

Bridge 123E N97#4p94 N2k#4p94

The Fortress and Firkin no longer serves real ale (at least not on Wednesday 5 June 2002!)

Northgate Cutting N97#4p92 N2K#4p92

Local advice is to avoid mooring in the cutting above Northgate Locks as the local youth like to drop things onto boats at night.

Tower Wharf N97#4p92

The map inset showing the Tower Wharf area is inaccurate.  The branch to the River Dee starts north of Bridge 126 which is also where the towpath crosses sides.  The inset correctly shows 3 locks.  The additional one is needed to clear a lowered road bridge.

Tower Wharf N97#4p92 N2K#4p92

The water point is well hidden on the corner of the dry dock.  The sanitary station, located by the first lock down to the River Dee, now includes a BW pump-out machine (Cards available from BW office, map inside sanitary station).

One report has advised against mooring at the wharf because of abuse from fishermen, drug takers, extremely loud music until 2am from the pub in the basin, and being set adrift in the night.

Bridge 126 N97#4p92 N2K#4p92

Telford's old basin, east of the bridge has now been dug out and watered, access is via a swing bridge. Although not open yet (July 2000) it will contain a sanitary station, water and pump-out.

Bridge 130 N97#4p92 N2K#4p92

There have been problems with children throwing stones near this bridge.

Ellesmere Port

Boat Museum N97#4p95 N2K#4p95

There are excellent moorings here.  On arrival lock down into the middle basin at Whitby Locks and moor on one of the islands.  The museum entry fee includes moorings for 7 days.  You also get a free guide worth £2.50 when registering your boat.  If you have a copy of Pearson's Guide you get two for the price of one on the tickets.

River Mersey (Not covered!)

Middlewich Branch

Barbridge Junction

Shropshire Union Canal

Minshull Lock N97#4p84

The lock (Rise 11ft), between Bridges 7 and 8, is not shown, although it is obliquely referred to in the main text, "After passing another lock, the canal crosses the River Weaver".

Bridge 12 N97#4p86

The page link to p83 should be to p85.

Bridge 12 N97#4p85 N2k#4p85 N03#4p99

The bridge should appear on the canal bend at the very top of the page.

Church Minshull N97#4p87 N2k#4p87

Church Minshull does not now have a PO or stores.

Church Minshull N97#4p87 N2k#4p87 N03#4p101

In April 2005 "The Badger Inn" had signs saying "Closed until further notice" on it. It is understood that it has now been sold, and so should reopen sometime. Visitors should ring to check before attempting access via the long, muddy path or the shorter but dangerously exposed busy road.

Middlewich Junction

Middlewich Junction N97#4p86 N2k#4p86 N03#4p100

The main text refers to good moorings "at the boatyard to the left of the junction". These are used by the boatyard, but there are plenty to the north of Bridge 172 on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Middlewich N97#4p87 N2k#4p87 N03#4p101

The Cheshire Cheese serves no food of any kind and the bartender, during a visit on 22 Sep 2004, seemed extremely surprised that anyone would have been told otherwise.

Trent and Mersey Canal