Trent and Mersey Canal - Handsacre to Fradley Paddle Trail

2.5-4.5 hours

Duration

8.3 miles

Distance

Out and Back

Moderate

Difficulty

WS15 4DT

Start Postcode

WS15 4DT

End Postcode

A. Find a considerate parking spot in Handsacre. Walk down to the canal via the towpath opposite The Crown Inn and turn left, away from the bridge. After the houses, one is soon in pleasant countryside

B. Within half a mile are two road bridges, and the hamlet of Tuppenhurst on the left bank. The scenery is of heathland, oaks, birch, gorse and scrub.

C. Several power lines cross the route, the lower Trent valley being a productive one for electricity generation.

D. At two miles, the canal goes under the A515, with a marina near the road. Woodland increases with pines and rhododendrons on the right bank.

E. Before the sharp turn to the left, the southernmost point on this trip, is a large private estate bridge. Once at the turn, the locks are not far ahead.

F. You now have three locks to negotiate; No. 20, Wood End, then the drop to Fradley Junction, with No. 19, Shade House, and No. 18, Fradley Middle.

G. Fradley is said to be the second busiest junction in England, where the Coventry Canal joins. The Swan public house also stands here; a great place for you to refresh before retracing your journey back to your start point at Handsacre.

Accessibility

The Trent and Mersey Canal runs from Preston Brook in Cheshire to Derwentmouth in picturesque Derbyshire. For its middle part, it parallels the River Trent as it flows from north Staffordshire eastwards, to eventually meet the sea via the Humber estuary.

The two waterways come near together at Stone in Staffordshire, and stay together until Shardlow, east of Derby, where the Trent becomes canalised.

Armitage is a pleasant village and has had an industrial heritage for many years. Its main trade, due to being near to the potteries of north Staffordshire, was production of sanitary ware. If passing the factory at certain times, you can see hundreds of toilet bowls being loaded onto lorries.

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The Coventry Canal winds its way south past Lichfield, to Tamworth, Atherstone, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry, a very important link in the London to Liverpool connection. It was built to carry coal both north and south from the Warwickshire coalfield centred on Bedworth. This canal now only goes as far as Huddleston Junction, 5.5 miles away.

The Trent and Mersey was conceived in the mid- 1700s by both Liverpool Corporation, and Josiah Wedgewood of the Potteries, and the plan was for the Grand Trunk canal, to link the ports of Liverpool and Hull. It was completed in 1777, and was the largest and most successful project for James Brindley. The ‘Grand Cross’ plan was to join the Mersey, Trent, Severn and Thames, and it was mostly achieved. The route is contained within a triangle formed by Rugeley to the west, Burton-on-Trent to the north, and Lichfield to the south.

The area has always been popular with narrow boat owners, perhaps because it is so accessible, the main A38 road running up from Alrewas to past Burton alongside the canal, and has been much more prominent since the National Arboretum and Memorial has been opened just over the other side of the A38 at Alrewas.

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

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Safety Information

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.