E. Next are Hollanders Bridge and Lathams Bridge, with its distinctive sharp left bend.
F. Upon reaching Aldridge Marina at 2.4 miles (private no landing) you will find Northywood Bridge.This is recently restored and a fine example of a Cannock decking bridge, with jacking slots.
G. Brick making is a local industry and there are large quarries on the right.
H. Aldridge Wharf Bridge is next, at 3.1 miles, with a small car park. Aldridge village centre is 600 metres to the left.
I. At 3.3 miles there is another stop lock. This canal has over 30 miles of level water and it needs this feature at regular intervals to isolate sections for maintenance.
K. At 4.6 miles you reach Brawns Bridge, so named after the engineer who built the canal, followed by Winterley Bridge.
L. At just under 5 miles is Daw End Bridge (B4154) and the Boat House pub. A couple of hundred metres later on the right you will find the Manor Arms pub, which is the oldest licenced public house in the Midlands, dating from 1248.
M. Just after this, cross an aqueduct over a railway to reach the landing on the right for the Park Lime Pits Nature Reserve and car park. The canal was built to reach the lime pits and the old workings that have become a wildlife sanctuary.
N. It is very rural and worth the trip to this destination beyond Riddian Bridge and Metchley Road Bridge that was the end of the canal for almost 50 years.
O. The branch seen veering off the left took the canal into the limestone mines. This is now truncated and used for the boats of Longwood Boat Club.
P. The lock in front of you is the first of ten locks of the Park Hall Flight built in 1845 to reach the Tame Valley Canal.
This trail uses the Daw End branch of the Wyrley & Essington Canal. The canal was built in 1798 to reach the two large limestone mines at Park Lime Pits & Hay Head Wood, and later it carried coal from the numerous mines in the area.
A feature of the canal are the “Cannock Bridges,” which have white/black painted planked wooden sides rather than a brick arch. These could be jacked up in the event of subsidence.
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.
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
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.
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.
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