Barbridge Junction / Middlewich Arm
The Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal covers 10 miles from Middlewich to Barbridge. Taking in some breathtaking scenery with idyllic mooring locations that have the advantage of views of lovely countryside in every direction. Coupled with some amazing pubs and restaurants to stop at it is a true gem of the waterways.
Introduction
Barbridge from Middlewich
As far as peaceful and beautiful canals go, you really cant get much more peaceful and beautiful than the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Having taken a few false starts in it’s construction it was eventually completed and enabled a waterway connection between the Shropshire Union Canal and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Albeit via a 159 yard section built by the Trent and Mersey Canal Company to give them control of the entrance to the Trent and Mersey Canal called the Wardle Canal & Lock. Potentially the shortest canal in the world at around twice the length of a full 72ft narrowboat!
On either the first or last day The Badger Inn in Church Minshull is a popular stop for guests. A short walk through some lovely countryside from Bridge 11 on the Middlewich Arm. A popular restaurant and pub and therefore booking ahead of time for your reservation is always advisable.
Continuing your journey along the Middlewich Arm there are 3 locks to traverse after Wardle lock. The Wardle lock forming part of your handover with us. Two marinas are situated along the route with small tearooms where you can stop and grab a coffee and cake as well in Aqueduct Marina and Venetian Marina. Just before the Venetian Marina on the towpath side is a lovely small picnic area which is a nice quiet mooring spot.
At the Junction of Barbridge if you take a left turn you will arrive at the Barbridge Inn. Another popular stopping location for customers on short breaks. Here they serve tasty food and have a nice beer garden with somewhere for the kids to let off some steam.
Just a short distance along is a turning point where you can head back to base if you are on a short break. Or alternatively you can carry on to the Hurleston Locks to enter the Llangollen Canal. If you were to go right at the Barbridge Junction or turn and go North past the junction again then you would be heading towards Chester.
Introduction
Barbridge from Middlewich
As far as peaceful and beautiful canals go, you really cant get much more peaceful and beautiful than the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Having taken a few false starts in it’s construction it was eventually completed and enabled a waterway connection between the Shropshire Union Canal and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Albeit via a 159 yard section built by the Trent and Mersey Canal Company to give them control of the entrance to the Trent and Mersey Canal called the Wardle Canal & Lock. Potentially the shortest canal in the world at around twice the length of a full 72ft narrowboat!
On either the first or last day The Badger Inn in Church Minshull is a popular stop for guests. A short walk through some lovely countryside from Bridge 11 on the Middlewich Arm. A popular restaurant and pub and therefore booking ahead of time for your reservation is always advisable.
Continuing your journey along the Middlewich Arm there are 3 locks to traverse after Wardle lock. The Wardle lock forming part of your handover with us. Two marinas are situated along the route with small tearooms where you can stop and grab a coffee and cake as well in Aqueduct Marina and Venetian Marina. Just before the Venetian Marina on the towpath side is a lovely small picnic area which is a nice quiet mooring spot.
At the Junction of Barbridge if you take a left turn you will arrive at the Barbridge Inn. Another popular stopping location for customers on short breaks. Here they serve tasty food and have a nice beer garden with somewhere for the kids to let off some steam.
Just a short distance along is a turning point where you can head back to base if you are on a short break. Or alternatively you can carry on to the Hurleston Locks to enter the Llangollen Canal. If you were to go right at the Barbridge Junction or turn and go North past the junction again then you would be heading towards Chester.
Middlewich to Barbridge Junction
The Wardle Canal & The Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal
This is a trip of 20 miles, 3¼ furlongs and 8 locks. This will take 2 days, at 5 hours per day.
Detailed Route:
| From Middlewich Top Wharf (Formerly home of Middlewich Narrowboats. Also known as ‘Middlewich Narrowboats’) to: | |||
|
Middlewich Junction Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal Main Line with Wardle Lock Branch leading to Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch
|
½ furlongs, 0 locks | ||
| Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch) | |||
From Middlewich Junction  (Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal Main Line with Wardle Lock Branch leading to Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch) to: |
|||
|
Wardle Lock No 4 Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal, Wardle Lock Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch. Also known as ‘Maureen’s Lock’
|
1 furlong, 1 lock | ||
| Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) | |||
| From Wardle Lock No 4 (Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal, Wardle Lock Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch. Also known as ‘Maureen’s Lock’) to: | |||
| River Weaver Aqueduct No 10A | 6 miles, 3½ furlongs, 1 lock | ||
Aqueduct Marina   |
3¼ furlongs, 0 locks | ||
|
Barbridge Junction Junction with Shropshire Union – Middlewich Branch
|
3 miles, 1¼ furlongs, 2 locks | ||
| Turn round here | |||
| Aqueduct Marina |
3 miles, 1¼ furlongs, 2 locks | ||
| River Weaver Aqueduct No 10A | 3¼ furlongs, 0 locks | ||
|
Wardle Lock No 4 Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal, Wardle Lock Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch. Also known as ‘Maureen’s Lock’
|
6 miles, 3½ furlongs, 2 locks | ||
| Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch) | |||
| From Wardle Lock No 4 (Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal, Wardle Lock Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch. Also known as ‘Maureen’s Lock’) to: | |||
|
Middlewich Junction Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal Main Line with Wardle Lock Branch leading to Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch
|
1 furlong, 0 locks | ||
| Trent and Mersey Canal (Main Line – Middlewich to Preston Brook) | |||
| From Middlewich Junction (Junction of Trent and Mersey Canal Main Line with Wardle Lock Branch leading to Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch) to: |
|||
|
Middlewich Top Wharf Formerly home of Middlewich Narrowboats. Also known as ‘Middlewich Narrowboats’
|
½ furlongs, 0 locks | ||
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Summer (April - October):
6 days a week (closed Wednesdays)
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Winter (November - March)
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Address
Floating Holidays
Middlewich Wharf
Canal Terrace
Middlewich
CW10 9BD