Canal Boating Article: Nantwich
Visit Nantwich from the following marina(s)
Located on the banks of the River Weaver in the county of Cheshire Nantwich is a pretty Elizabethan market town and is most famous for it's salt production. A Roman Settlement was founded here because of the salt which was mined and sent to the Roman Garrisons at Chester and Stoke-on-Trent. The name is derived from the Welsh connection Nant meaning riverside vale and wich or wych were used to denote brine springs. The Shropshire Union Canal or Shroppie was surveyed and engineered by Thomas Telford and construction began in 1827. The canal runs for 66 miles between Wolverhampton to the River Mersey at Ellesmere Port.
Nantwich Outdoor Pool - The Outdoor Brine Pool was first opened to the public in 1934 and is probably the only inland Brine Pool left in U.K. The pool holds 158,000 gallons of natural salt water and the brine is pumped into the pool from an underground source nearby.
Nantwich Museum – Visitors are invited to browse through a series of galleries that will take them on a journey through time. The Museum tells the story of Nantwich through the ages from the Roman salt making era through to the Tudors and to the more recent shoe and clothing industries.
Old Biot – Situated in the High Street on the bridge is the site of a centuries old brine pit. Now marked by a plaque to signify how important salt and salt production was to the town. It was way in the past possible in Roman items it was noticed that a spring on the bank of the river was running salt water. This discovery lead an settlement to be made here and the salt used as a commodity to barter with.
St Mary's Church - Building began on the church in the 14th century and masons came as far as Yorkshire to carve the red sandstone. Lying in The Square in the heart of the town the church is known as the cathedral of South Cheshire. This is one of the finest Medieval churches in Britain and has many interesting features including a distinctive octagonal tower and a rare 14th stone pulpit. Visitors are welcome to view the church and to browse in the shop.
Bunbury Water Mill - Dating back as far as 1290 The Bunbury Water Mill lies on the banks of the River Gowy and for centuries flour has been milled on this site. Now a working museum you can see the watermill in operation and experience the process of flour milling from start to finish. The village of Bunbury is very pretty and features many old cottages and winding country lanes. There are a number of shops and pubs in the village as well as some fine canal side walks leading to the famous Bunbury Staircase Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal.
Hack Green Secret Bunker - An exciting day out for all the family where you are transported underground into the exciting world of spying. Enter this secret nuclear war HQ through huge blast door where the children will love to follow The Secret Spy Mouse Trail.
Nantwich has a wide range of specialist shops and is laid out in a charming higgledy piggledy medieval way with endless nooks and crannies to explore. The local market has a wide range of goods and produce on sale including the famous Cheshire Cheese. Situated just outside of the town is the Dagfields Craft and Antique Centre offering five giant shopping emporiums, a craft village, tearooms and an animal village. Nantwich offers many places to eat and drink so why not enjoy a riverside walk before you eat in one of the many restaurants, pubs or cafés.
