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The Anglesey Branch - Part Of The Birmingham Canal Navigation System (BCN)

We cruised the mile and a bit of the Anglesey Branch as part of our 2010 cruise

We found the Anglesey Branch (BCN) canal that runs from Ogley Junction at the end of the Wyrley and Essington Canal to Anglesey Basin, surrounded by the Chasewater Country Park, under the Chasewater Dam outlet to be a pleasant short cruise.

Chasewater's outflow is one of the main feeders to the BCN system.

The canal is open farmland and countryside on the towpath side with low level housing on the opposite side, right up to M6 Toll Road bridge that acknowleges that it crosses what was Anglesey Wharf.

The Anglesey Branch runs from Ogley Junction 1.5 miles to Anglesey Basin, built as a feeder in 1800 to carry the main source of water for the canal from Chasewater Reservoir, was upgraded to navigable status in 1850 as new mines opened in the area. Coal continued to be transported along the branch from Anglesey Basin until 1967. The end of this branch is the furthest north it is currently possible to travel on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).