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Shropshire Union - Part 3

Norbury Junction to Gnosall

Norbury Junction once the start of the Shropshire Union Canal , Newport Branch and part of the tub boats - narrow canal system through to the River Severn, what is now Telford and Shrewsbury had fallen into disuse long ago with huge sections filled in. If you visit Newport in Shropshire you will find remnants of the canal and a basin 300mtrs north from the church in Newport town centre and around Telford you will also find ‘balancing pools’ and small sections of canal dotted here and there. Norbury Junction is also the home to another of Anglo Welsh’s Narrowboat hire centres where you can also hire small ‘day boats’, that can turn just about anywhere to get back home. It is also home to the area British Waterways Office that controls the local Norbury Junction moorings. Norbury Junction also houses the local pub, ‘The Junction’ that overlooks the boatyard and junction.

Passing south through Shelmore Wood cutting you can not fail to appreciate another Thomas Telford masterpiece for modern nature conservancy. The day we passed through we were bathed in dappled sunshine and serenaded by birdsong from every tree.

Gnosall with its two canal side pubs and handy small parade of shops 500meters west from the bridge, has long and short term moorings close by.

Through the very short Cowley Tunnel. (You could mistake it for a bridge as it is numbered as one!) and down to Wheaton Aston with its long and short term British Waterways moorings. If you have ever traveled the A5 from Gailey to Telford you will have driven under the picturesque Thomas Telford’s Aqueduct at Stretton. From the canal it is not so impressive but is worth stopping to get a sideways view. You may also gaze westwards at this point and see the large British Waterways Belvide Reservoir. You will pass through the large village of Brewood without even noticing it apart from the sign at Countrywide Cruisers Narrowboat hire centre and soon you will pass under the usually noisy M54.

Autherley Junction brings you to the end of this leg of the Four Counties Ring. Home of Water Travel Narrowboat Hire. and one of the worlds shallowest fall locks – a rise or fall of just 6 inches between the two canals.

• Cruises to cruise
• Four Counties Ring
  • Middlewich Arm, SU
  • Shropshire Union Part 1
  • Shropshire Union Part 2
  • Shropshire Union Part 3
  • Staffs and Worcester Part 1
  • Staffs and Worcester Part 2
  • Staffs and Worcester Part 3
  • Trent and Mersey Part 1
  • Trent and Mersey Part 2
  • Trent and Mersey Part 3
• Llangollen Canal