Canal Boating Article: Shropshire Union
Visit Shropshire Union from the following marina(s)
Length: 66 miles
Locks: 47
Aqueducts: 1
incorporating the Middlewich branch
length: 10 miles
locks:4
Linked to: Llangollen Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
Together with the Trent and Mersey Canal and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canalit forms The Four Counties Ring
Construction on The Shropshire Union Canal, affectionately known as "The Shroppie",began in 1827 and was surveyed and engineered by Thomas Telford. The Shropshire Union Canal Company worked its own boats from the wharf and transported goods from Audlem direct to The Midlands, Chester and even onto London. Originally the name Shropshire Union Canal applied to the 200 miles of waterways owned by the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company.
PLACES OF INTEREST ON ROUTE
Ellesmere Port – From moorings at the canal terminus pay a visit to the National Waterways Museum. The museum is home to the worlds largest collection of inland water way craft, explore the many traditional narrow boats and imagine your family living in the tiny spaces.
Nantwich - A pleasant walk from the canal bank leads you to the centre of Nantwichwhich offers a varied shopping experience from specialist boutiques to a vibrant market.The Nantwich Canal Centre offers narrowboat visitors a mooring as well as a cafe and Restaurant.
Audlem - Located close to the 15 Audlem Locks is one of the Uks most attractive canal side villages. It is home to The Day Star Theatre Company who travel the waterways in their narrowboat The Angry Bull.
Audlem Mill – Original built as a corn and animal feed mill in 1916 it is locally known as Kingbur Mill. Now open to the public the ground flour has been converted into a canalside gift shop and the first floor is dedicated to a huge variety of crafts .
Market Drayton – Markets, hence the name, with stalls laden with produce have been held here for over 750 years. Today you will find an abundance of wares, the hustle and bustle and friendly banter of the stall holders.
Bunberry Staircase Locks – Sited close by are the former stables that were used by the horses that pulled the boats. The restored Bunberry Mill is able to demonstrate its working machinery and produces wholemeal flour and oatmeal made from locally grown milling grain.
PLACES TO VISIT
Ellesmere, Chester, Llangollen
