Escape the crush for a while with an excursion along the charming Caldon Canal. Experienced boaters share what's good to know about this canal less travelled.
Hazelhurst Junction - Caldon Canal
Boaters are well used to life at less than 4mph, even when boating through our busier towns and cities. Slow it down even more with a happier, healthier cruise that skirts the edge of the Peak District.
Cruising the Caldon
From Etruria Junction
At Etruria Junction in Stoke on Trent, take a turn off the Trent & Mersey Canal onto the Caldon Canal, heading east towards the picturesque Churnet Valley. From the junction, you will soon pass through a staircase lock, which is followed shortly by another single lock and past the Hanley, one of the six towns that make up Stoke on Trent, where you'll spot frequent reminders of the area's industrial past.
Soon, the town slips away as the canal follows the course of the River Trent in the valley below. Make sure you stop and admire the view at Lock 4.
Admire the old potteries and learn how they used the canal to move their fragile wares.
The outskirts of Endon
After the fifth lock, the canal turns away from the River Trent up a flight of locks towards the outskirts of Endon. The view remains mostly rural, with pleasant views towards the hills on both sides of the valley.
At Hazelhurst Junction, the canal splits in two. Keep right for the Leek branch, or head left and down the Hazelhurst locks to Froghall. On the main line to Froghall, you'll catch frequent glimpses of the Leek Branch across the valley and pass under it as it flies overhead on a handsome aqueduct.
Hazelhurst Aqueduct takes the Leek Branch over the mainline of the Caldon Canal.
Along the Churnet Valley
The mainline turns southeast along the Churnet Valley towards the village of Cheddleton, with its Flint Mill Museum, Churnet Valley Steam Railway and pretty pubs along the way. Below Lock 16 Oakmeadow Ford Lock, the canal joins the course of the River Churnet. Please check river levels carefully before locking down onto the river. If the level is red, do not proceed. The bridges are low, the river runs fast, and there's a big weir to avoid at the end of the river section.
If the rain gods have been behaving and the levels are good, it's a beautiful cruise down to Consall Forge. If you're a steam train enthusiast, moor up at Consall to spot steam and vintage diesel trains. For nature lovers, the surrounding wooded hillsides make for lovely walks.
The Churnet Valley steam train follows the Caldon Canal and River Churnet through the valley.
Arriving at Froghall Tunnel
Along a very narrow section of the canal, you will reach the visitor moorings and winding hole at Froghall Tunnel. Headroom is severely restricted in the tunnel – measure the profile of your boat before entering the tunnel to avoid getting stuck. If you have a longer boat, the bigger winding point is before the last lock (called Flint Lock) and gauge.
If you don't fit the gauge, do not attempt passage. For those who fit, there are great moorings and homemade cakes at Hetty's Tea Room – and for everyone else, it's just a short walk.
Froghall Tunnel is extremely low, and not possible for all boats.
Back along the Leek Branch
If you want to explore the historic market town of Leek, head back along the Caldon to Hazelhurst Junction. The turn is extremely sharp, and you'll need a lookout to make sure the way is clear. Alternatively, continue to the winding hole before turning back towards the Leek Branch.
The canal meanders across the Staffordshire Moorlands above the main line, narrow and shallow in places with sharp turns and low bridges. Be careful as you approach the Leek Tunnel – it's not very long, but it is one way. You are almost into the tunnel before you can see if it's clear, so approach slowly and be prepared to reverse and wait.
Climb up the steep footpath to the top of Leek Tunnel for views across the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Sadly, the canal doesn't continue all the way to the town. The original terminus basin now sits under a retail park, having been sold for development in the 1950s – but you can walk up to the town from the current canal end. Be careful not to miss the winding hole if your boat is over 45 feet long. You can always reverse back onto the visitor moorings.
If you do manage to visit both Leek and Froghall, both of these locations are part of the Inland Waterways Association Silver Propeller Challenge.
Boating the Caldon offers picturesque views with relics of industrial history around every corner.
What is there to do on the Caldon Canal?
A quiet canal it may be, but there is plenty to do on the Caldon – from enjoying a bite (or a pint) at one of the picturesque pubs or Hetty's Tea Room at Froghall to exploring museums like the Cheddleton Flint Mill, Emma Bridgewater Pottery or Etruria Industrial Museum. For those eager to stretch their legs, Deep Hayes Country Park and the nature reserve at Consall Forge offer plenty of walks. And if you time your trip right, you might be able to catch the steam train along the Churnet Valley.
Where to moor on the Caldon Canal?
Etruria Junction – services, including a shower, and Etruria Industrial Museum
Milton – handy for shopping (supermarkets, pharmacy, chip shop, oatcakes and curry)
Endon Park Lane – services, including a shower, and lovely views
Hazelhurst Aqueduct Leek Branch – view of the moorland and Armco for mooring
Leek Tunnel – moor before the tunnel near the pool area, quiet with pleasant views
Leek – just after the full-length winding hole but before the canal ends. Reverse up after winding
Denford – main line bridge 38, good pub and nice views
Cheddleton – the visitor moorings are not far from the Flint Mill and the pub
Consall – great for steam train spotting and a good pub
Froghall Wharf – if you fit through the tunnel, visit the Lime Kilns and Hetty's Tea Room
