Wyrley & Essington & Cannock Extension Canals Brownhills to Norton Canes Paddle Trail

2-3.5 hours

Duration

7 miles

Distance

Out and Back

Easy

Difficulty

WS8 6DZ

Start Postcode

WS8 6DZ

End Postcode

A. To start your journey paddle right from the Brownhills Canoe & Outdoor Centre. This trail has some fourteen bridges to travel under and in addition the canal meanders under the A4124 three times at Becks, Highbridge and Yorks Foundry Bridges.

B. There are eight bridges in the first two miles. After passing under the B4154 at Yorks Bridge the Finger Post public house is on the left. Passing this means you are now entering Pelsall Common.

C. In a couple of hundred metres you reach Pelsall junction; turn right onto the Cannock Extension Canal. This canal is very straight, and you can see a long way!

D. After passing under Green Bridge you go under Wyrley Grove Bridge and about half a mile later you reach the old basins of Brownhills Colliery.

E. After just 400 metres, just before you pass under the B4154 for the last time, there is parking for approx. two cars on the right.

F. Entering the Norton Canes docks area you’ll see the end of the canal 300 metres away. There is no parking as the A5 is a Clearway at this point. There is also no egress through the boat yards.

G .An alternative to returning to Brownhills is to go back to Pelsall junction and turn right. In 300 metres you can get out at Wood Lane Bridge, where there is good on street parking.

Discover More

The trail uses the Wyrley & Essington & Cannock Extension canals. The Wyrley & Essington Canal was built in 1798 to reach the various mineral deposits in the area. The Cannock Extension Canal was built very late in canal terms, some 65 years later in 1863, primarily for coal traffic and was owned by the London & North Western Railway.

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 CRT key.

This canal is part of the complex Birmingham Canal Navigations network. The Wyrley & Essington Canal runs from Wolverhampton to Tame Valley Junction where it joins the Tame Valley Canal. The Wyrley & Essington Canal is a contour canal and, therefore, follows them and has no locks to the North of the Black Country. The scenery is surprisingly rural, but many industrial remains can be found along the way.

For a one-way trip – Wood Lane Bridge, Wood Lane. Postcode closest to bridge is WS3 5AA.

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.

JOIN PADDLE UK

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.