Caldon Canal
This Route covers:
- Caldon Canal
Including:
- Leek Branch
Description of the Route
Etruria Junction to Hazlehurst Junction
The canal leaves the summit level of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Etruria Junction and, after passing the statue of James Brindley, climbs through two staircase locks.
Initially passing through the industrial areas of Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries the appearance might not be as great as the guide books led you to expect. Watch for the three bottle kilns standing close to the canal, all listed structures.
Gradually we leave the urban surroundings behind and continue to climb through a total of 9 locks to reach the summit pound at the top of the Stockton Brook Flight. This marks the start of the great scenery which gradually gets better from here onwards.
Just two miles further on we meet the unusual layout at Hazlehurst Junction.
Hazlehurst Junction to Froghall
The main line continues straight ahead at the junction and immediately descends three locks to pass under the Hazlehurst Aqueduct carrying the Leek Branch over the top. This layout was created in 1841 to avoid the long queues which occurred at the former 3-lock staircase.
Continuing the descent we pass Cheddleton and Consall Forge to reach Froghall Tunnel, with the exceptionally low profile meaning many boats will not fit through. The last lock has a gauge across the foot of the lock so you can check if you will fit into the tunnel before you arrive there. Those boats fitting through the tunnel reach Froghall Junction with the Uttoxeter Canal and Froghall Wharf.
Leek Branch
Diverging to the right at Hazlehurst Junction is the short, lock free, Leek Branch which passes over the Hazlehurst Aqueduct with the main line below.
Narrow and twisting it reaches a large pool just before a short tunnel. The last full length winding hole is immediately after bridge 9 and most boaters choose to wind here, then reverse a little towards Leek to moor.
It's a long walk, along an uninviting footpath and road to reach the shops and amenities at Leek since the canal was shortened and the end filled in many years ago. There are ideas to extend the canal nearer to the town on a new alignment, so it might be a shorter walk one day.
DVDs
Waterway Routes has two DVDs of the Caldon Canal.
Your chance to sit back and relax as you watch our progress.
Available in both Popular and Bowcam formats - or both together in one box.
Dimensions and Features
Openers = Opening Bridges Hours = Single Journey |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Caldon Canal |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
5' 0" |
17 |
17 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
12 |
Etruria Junction - |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
6' 8" |
9 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
Hazlehurst Junction - |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
6' 8" |
8 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
Froghall Tunnel |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
5' 0" |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
Froghall Tunnel Portal - |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
6' 8" |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
Leek Branch |
72' 0" |
6' 10" |
6' 8" |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
Operator
British Waterways |
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Caldon Canal |
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Managing Office: |
Central Shires Waterways Peels Wharf Lichfield Street Fazeley Tamworth B78 3QZ |
Phone:
Email: |
01827 252 000 |
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General |
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Customer Service: BW Emergency: |
0845 671 5530 0800 47 999 47 |
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Links
Canal Societies
Other Links
Producing DVDs of Canals and Waterways. Publishing Walks by Canals and Waterways.
Read the Blog, watch the DVDs, Walk the Walks and check out the route information.
Paul Balmer trading as Waterway Routes and Waterway Walks.
Send mail to webmaster@waterwayroutes.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006-10 Waterway Routes. Updated: 24 February 2010.