Brewood to Wheaton Aston

Before the thunder and lightning of 30th June 2022

Before the thunder and lightning of 30th June 2022

View from atop Bridge 19 or “Tavern Bridge” in central Wheaton Aston and your final destination has been reached (Author’s Collection).

Sunshine and showers they said. “They” also said a biblical thunder and lightning rainstorm was imminent too, and sadly the rolling in of jet black clouds ended a rather lovely conversation I was lucky to be in the middle of with a couple who live full-time on the “Cut”. They were regaling me with many a tale of their travels when, prompted by the darkening clouds overhead the gentleman stated “Better start battening down the hatches” and within a couple of minutes, and with me safely ensconced in the car and travelling home, the mother of all thunderstorms struck. I got lucky with the weather again this afternoon as I managed to dodge the wrath of the weather Gods and rather than the sunshine and showers as predicted, it was permanent sunshine almost the entire length of this 3–4 mile stroll along the Shropshire Union Canal in the very beating heart of England.

After departing a very warm and sunshine filled Brewood (pronounced Brood), I reached the somewhat darkening skies of Wheaton Aston after roughly an hour and yet again I had the very great fortune to be accompanied along the straightest and dare I suggest ugliest stretch of the canal by not one, not two, but three herons! Oh to see those creatures take flight and soar and swoop before resuming a favourite spot further down the canal. Add in some swans and a whole host of ducks and their various broods (see what I did there?), six bridges and some quixotically and quirkily unique parts of this stretch of the “Cut”, it made for a beautiful amble in the sunshine.

Disclaimer

As per my previous articles on the canals in the picturesque UK county in which I live, I don’t claim to have any experience of either a canal boat lifestyle or the inner workings and trials and tribulations of life on a houseboat/canal boat or narrow boat (whichever you prefer). I just find the peace, tranquillity and the quirky nature of an almost bygone way of existence and determination to live your life in this way, and in a floating house too, endlessly fascinating. I also bask and prosper in the sunshine, love the sights and sounds of canal life juxtaposed with the earthy nature and countryside that surrounds it, and simply discovering a new piece of the canal waterways puzzle never fails to raise a smile on my face. Guaranteed (Guaranteed) to receive oodles of smiles and “Hello’s” and “Good Afternoon’s” from the human beings you meet and watching dogs leap into a canal in search of a well thrown stick or ball can’t fail to amuse the child in all of us.

So much for all that.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this lengthy virtual pictorial stroll of a surprisingly sunshine filled amble beside the Shropshire Union Canal. The link below is an old walking guide to this very route:

Shropshire Union Canal, Towpath between Wheaton Aston and Brewood | Canal & River Trust
A long-distance walking event, organised by the RAF Walking and Road Marching Association, is taking place on Saturday…canalrivertrust.org.uk

*All images captured by me on the afternoon of 30th June 2022*

St Mary’s Catholic Church of Brewood and our starting point for our three mile stroll beside the canal.

A rather pleasing view from Wharf Lane and the entrance to St Mary’s Catholic Church of Brewood.

The “Bridge Inn” public house and the combined pedestrian and road bridge entitled simply “Brewood Bridge”.

View in the opposite direction to which we are travelling and here, the beginning of a long stretch of the “Cut” to Bridge 13 or “School Bridge” and ultimately, Autherley Junction.

The “Bridge Inn” public house at Brewood.

Before we depart Brewood, a final image captured from the “Bridge Inn” public house and across the canal through to the church in the near distance.

View from atop Bridge 14 at Brewood and the commencement of our long straight journey ahead.

On the outskirts of Brewood we approach “Countrywide Cruisers” on the other side of the canal.

Long stretch of the “Cut” ahead toward Bridge 15.

A rather lovely “Perfect Timing” moment.

“Honeysuckle Rose” appears to have a new family of friends!

Approaching Bridge 15.

Bridge 15 or “Skew Bridge” and another pleasing perfect timing moment.

View from atop Bridge 15 with “Broom Hall Bridge” or Bridge 16 in the distance flanked by a caravan holiday park on your left and the wide open expanse of English countryside on your right.

The onward journey to Bridge 16 or “Broom Hall Bridge”.

Bridge 16 or “Broom Hall Bridge”.

View from atop Bridge 16 and another lengthy stretch of the canal through Stretton Aqueduct.

The obligatory inclusion of a particularly favourite aspect to this throwback to a bygone era.

Striking lucky on the Stretton Aqueduct.

(1) Numerous views of Stretton Aqueduct Bridge and the glorious English countryside along this stretch of the canal.

(2) Numerous views of Stretton Aqueduct Bridge and the glorious English countryside along this stretch of the canal.

(3) Numerous views of Stretton Aqueduct Bridge and the glorious English countryside along this stretch of the canal.

Bridge 17 or “Lapley Wood Bridge”.

View from atop Bridge 17.

Approaching Wheaton Aston.

Another favourite image captured this afternoon as we approach Wheaton Aston Lock in the distance.

View from atop Bridge 18 and the short stroll ahead to the Lock.

Wheaton Aston Lock.

View from between the Locks and the short hop ahead to Bridge 19 and central Wheaton Aston.

The circus has come to town!

“The Hartley Arms” at Wheaton Aston and a favourite image captured this sunny afternoon.

See above comments! 15 minutes after this image was captured, the mother of all thunderstorms arrived.

Bridge 19 or “Tavern Bridge” in central Wheaton Aston.

A final view back through Wheaton Aston from atop Bridge 19.

Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this pictorial stroll of a pleasantly warm Friday afternoon in the heart of England, and before the biblical rainstorm! If so, can I perhaps point you to these recently published and complimentary editions in my series of walks along the Shropshire Union Canal?

Baddington to Audlem
via a secret nuclear bunker (yes, really!)medium.com

Wheaton Aston to Little Onn
An evening stroll beside the Shropshire Union Canalmedium.com

High Onn to Gnosall
Another stroll along the Shropshire Union Canalmedium.com