Wyrley & Essington Canal, Brownhills to Chasewater Paddle Trail

2-3 hours

Duration

6 miles

Distance

Out and Back

Easy

Difficulty

WS8 6DZ

Start Postcode

WS8 6DZ

End Postcode

A .Paddle off to your left from the canoe centre for half a mile.

B. On reaching Catshill Junction, go straight on past the stop lock. You are now heading east.

C. 300 yards later go under Anchor Bridge (A452). On the right after the bridge are moorings of the Anchor pub, with good food at reasonable prices.

D. Just under a mile later there is Ogley Junction. Go to the left here, as the bridge in front is the start of the Lichfield canal that is currently under restoration.

E. In the next quarter of a mile there is Middleton Bridge, followed by a short aqueduct over a mothballed railway and quickly followed by Freeth Bridge (A5).

F. In half a mile there is Burntwood Road Bridge, followed immediately by the large M6 (toll) bridge. This is close to the end of the canal.

G. First is Anglesey Wharf, with the derelict coal loading chutes on the right, and beyond that the terminal of the canal is reached as you enter Anglesey Basin right under the dam for Chasewater.

H. This is a nice place to land for a picnic on the grass, or walk left along the dam to the visitor centre where there are toilets, car parking and a café.

I. From here you simply retrace your journey back to the start point at Brownhills.

Discover More

A gentle paddle to Chasewater Park offers an opportunity to stop for a picnic and take in the picturesque countryside. This trail uses the Anglesey branch of the Wyrley & Essington canal.

This canal was built in 1798 as a culvert to supply water from Norton Pool canal feeder reservoir (later known as Chasewater) to the Wyrley & Essington Canal. In 1850, it was made navigable to tap into traffic from local coal mines. Coal was loaded into boats at Anglesey Wharf until 1967, and the remains of the loading chutes can still be seen.

Above Anglesey Basin is the stone-faced dam for Chasewater, which is a country park and where there is a sailing, water skiing, and power boating centre. Boating activity is limited to club use.

Start Directions: Brownhills is just off the A5 & M6 toll road, 5 miles east of Cannock, 7 miles north of Walsall, and 17 miles north of Birmingham via the A38 & A5.

Car parking by arrangement with Brownhills Community Association; 01643 452119 or Royal Sutton Coldfield Canoe Club 0121 360 2136.
Large Tesco store and town centre shops opposite. Toilets in the centre can be accessed by using a CRT key.

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.