Beautiful reflections from Nantwich in Cheshire on the Shropshire Union Canal, 28th May 2023 (Author’s Collection).
Last Summer I ventured to Nantwich for the first time after driving through the medieval Cheshire market town numerous times without stopping to smell the roses or indeed, to marvel at the winding canal that snakes high up and through the town itself. Again, it was a “happy accident” as I was endeavouring to walk the entirety of the Shropshire Union Canal in daily pieces and after finding a (not so) secret Nuclear Fallout Bunker a few miles outside Nantwich, I simply carried on walking until I reached this absolute beauty spot on the canal. The fuller story is contained within my “UK Travel” archives here but in brief: After reaching Nantwich last Summer I couldn’t resist walking the further three miles to “Hurleston Locks” where the Shropshire Union and Llangollen canals merge (and the Llangollen arguably starts and indeed ends depending on your travel direction) and it was a very long, tiring walk but incredibly worth it!
Today was more simpler and just the beauty that is Nantwich as I’ve visited the (not so) secret Nuclear Fallout Bunker many times and “Hurleston Locks” is absolutely beautiful BUT in the works for a return visit all of her own later this Summer so, it’s just Nantwich for now.
Longer edition than normal so kick off your walking boots, open that pack of chocolate biscuits and relax into a pictorial stroll as we loop back and forth along the Shropshire Union Canal into, and returning from, Nantwich.
Welcome to Nantwich!
The beautifully winding Shropshire Union canal that so typifies this stretch through Nantwich — Part 1.
The beautifully winding Shropshire Union canal that so typifies this stretch through Nantwich — Part 2.
The beautifully winding Shropshire Union canal that so typifies this stretch through Nantwich — Part 3.
The beautifully winding Shropshire Union canal that so typifies this stretch through Nantwich — Part 4.
Nantwich Aqueduct — “Thomas Telford was one of the first engineers to use iron to build a structure. The aqueduct was made up of a series of cast iron plates bolted together, supported by six cast iron arch ribs on stone dressed brick abutments. The towpath is supported on cast iron uprights within the trough”.
Nantwich Aqueduct — “The first iron aqueducts were narrow, making it difficult for boats to displace the water as they passed across, and hard work for the horses hauling the boats. In Telford’s design, he used the full width of the structure, extending the towpaths across the water and making it easier for boats to displace the water”.
All you ever wanted to know about the Nantwich Aqueduct!
A final glimpse of the Nantwich Aqueduct. Or will it be?
One of the many bends in the canal and your final approach into the centre of Nantwich.
“Nantwich Junction Bridge” is just visible in the long straight distance.
View heading north toward “Hurleston Locks” from beneath Bridge 92 of the Shropshire Union Canal or more simply, “Nantwich Junction Bridge”.
View from atop Nantwich Junction Bridge, again heading north toward the locks at Hurleston that separate the Shropshire Union and Llangollen canals.
View from atop Nantwich Junction Bridge heading back from whence we came. But not before…….
Just in case you were lost!
Keep still my beating heart! Beautiful Nantwich — Part 1.
“Celebrating the restoration of the Nantwich embankment”.
Keep still my beating heart! Beautiful Nantwich — Part 2.
Keep still my beating heart! Beautiful Nantwich — Part 3.
Say hello to “Flora” from nearby, and equally beautiful, Norbury Junction.
Say hello to “Brunel” as she crosses the aqueduct into Nantwich.
Say goodbye to “Brunel” as she heads to central Nantwich.
What next? Another stretch of the canal I guess! Thanks for the memories Nantwich.
Thanks for reading. There are now over 100 separate articles contained within my “UK Travel” library for you to enjoy from the canals of England and Wales through to castles, cathedrals and centuries old ruins that dot the border between these two countries. Alternatively, here are my three most recently published articles:
