The Trent & Mersey Canal

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The Trent and Mersey Canal begins within a few miles of the River Mersey, near Runcorn in North West England and finishes in a junction with the River Trent in Derbyshire. It is just over ninety miles long and will take about six days to cruise. It is one of the earliest canals, built by Brindley, with much of historical interest, passing through some pleasant countryside.

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See more at Canal Junction!
The Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich can take boats down to the River Weaver and has recently been fully restored.

The canal struggles from the Cheshire plains up thirty one locks, often called Heartbreak Hill, cutting beneath Harecastle Hill in a spooky and watery tunnel one and three quarter miles long and then passing through the industry of the Staffordshire Potteries out into rural Staffordshire and then Derbyshire. Shardlow, near the River Trent, is one of England's best preserved canal towns.
Try the Swan pub at Fradley Junction which has an excellent view of the junction. Stone has some interesting old canal buildings. Shrugborough Hall dates from the 17th century and is surrounded by a landscaped park, the Gatehouse is the size of many mansions! An English Civil War battle was fought just to the north at Hopton Heath.
Josiah Wedgwood was involved in getting the canal built and the Wedgwood factory and museum are just south of Stoke on Trent. Middlewich and Northwich are salt towns dating back to Roman times.
Hireboats (self drive) on these rivers: Claymoore Navigation Middlewich Narrowboats Jannel Cruisers
Hotel boats on this canal 2003:   Full details Coming Soon!
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