Knighton to High Offley

5th July 2022: An evening stroll along the Shropshire Union Canal

5th July 2022: An evening stroll along the Shropshire Union Canal

From the long stretch of canal leading to High Offley (Author’s Collection).

This edition of my continuing strolls beside the Shropshire Union Canal is a companion piece (and return journey) from “A sunshine filled evening stroll beside the canal” and this article is linked first at the denouement to this particular pictorial stroll.

Following the usual damp squib and schizophrenic nature of an English summer, the sunshine briefly returned on the evening of 5th July 2022 and I took glorious advantage. If you’ll pardon the canal pun, I’m now in the final stretch of completing the entirety of the Shropshire Union Canal, all 66 miles of which or, in my case, all 132 miles, as I’ve essentially “looped” all of my walks in same day/evening strolls. This route takes us back 3 miles south, completes another small piece of the northern stretch of the canal and a work in progress as I snake my way up and down the northern stretch to Nantwich and Chester in Cheshire, and then beyond.

It was indeed an evening of glorious and much needed sunshine and I sincerely hope you enjoy the pictorial representation of the evening as shown below.

First, my 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.

*All images captured by me on the evening of 5th July 2022*

View from atop Bridge 46 or “Knighton Bridge” and the beginning of our three mile stroll with Bridge 45 or “Newport Road Bridge” immediately in front of us.

Bridge 46 at Knighton but in the opposite direction north toward Tyrley Locks and Audlem Mill.

Bridges 46 and 45 and our evening stroll has begun.

Bridge 45 or “Newport Road Bridge” and the beginning of a very long stretch of three aqueducts.

The beginning of a lengthy stretch of straight aqueducts here at Factory Road on the outskirts of Knighton.

A perfect representation of the aqueducts ahead and a rather dull and uninteresting stretch of this section of the canal.

With the arrival of these ducks comes the beginning of a far more bright, open and interesting stretch all the way through to High Offley.

A particular favourite image captured this evening as we approach the end of the aqueducts and the resumption of civilisation!

It may well be relatively new in our current age but will forever remind me of a bygone age of centuries past.

Onward toward the end of the aqueduct and the small hamlet of Shebdon.

Approaching Shebdon and from the darkness of the overgrown aqueducts we now have the splendour of an English countryside bathed in beautiful sunshine.

A rare evening “Perfect Timing” moment with Shebdon Bridge looming in the distance.

Say hello to a wandering snail!

Don’t Panic. It’s only Bridge number 44 or “Shebdon Bridge”. You’ll be fine!

A different if functional Bridge Number 44 or “Shebdon Bridge”.

View from atop Bridge 44 and another lengthy stretch of the canal as we progress toward High Offley.

Roughly halfway between “Shebdon Bridge” and “Bullocks Bridge”.

A view back from whence we came but I couldn’t resist capturing this beautiful image of a beautiful evening walk beside the canal.

Another favourite image captured this evening and Bridge 43 or “Bullocks Bridge” ahead.

View from beneath Bridge 43 and the final gently curving of the canal toward High Offley.

Approaching High Offley.

Approaching High Offley with Bridge 42 just visible in the distance.

Bridge 42 or “Old Lea Bridge” at High Offley and our final destination this evening.

View from beneath Bridge 42 and onward toward yet more very lengthy and straight aqueducts that lead ultimately to beautiful Norbury Junction.

Quick drink in the “Anchor Inn” public house and we’ll set off for Norbury Junction?

Your humble narrator at Audlem Mill, end of June 2022.

Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual stroll beside a canal in the beating heart of England and if so, please do consider these recently published articles as well as the many more contained within my archives:

High Offley to Knighton
And a sunshine filled evening stroll beside the canalmedium.com

Adderley Locks to Market Drayton
A pleasing Wednesday amble along the Shropshire Union Canalmedium.com

Hack Green to Nantwich
Or a “secret” nuclear bunker to busy, beautiful Nantwichmedium.com