|
CALDON CANAL & LEEK BRANCH:
The upper ’pounds’ of the Caldon and it’s Leek branch have got to be one of the prettiest canals in the UK. The photos we
have taken on recent trips just don’t do it justice.
Turning off the T&M at Etruria, the canal climbs up to the east, initially via a staircase set of locks. The initial few hours
travelling through Stoke’s suburbs are ‘nothing to write home about’. In fact we prefer to do this stretch in the morning, before there are too many local youths around. But don’t be put off - as soon as we pass Stockton Brook Locks, the canal scene changes dramatically into a land of dry-stane dykes, wooded valleys, and small holdings
- it's quite charming.
At Hazelhurst junction the Leek branch heads off eastwards - eventually. Immediately after the junction, the main line of the Caldon descends down a flight of three locks - meanwhile the Leek branch runs alongside the west side of the main line for a while, but doesn’t lock down. Then the Leek branch turns abruptly east over the top of the, now lowered, main line on an impressive aqueduct - stunning.
For a full length narrowboat, the Caldon and it’s Leek branch are quite
challenging with some unusually tight and abrupt turns, but that just adds to the fun of it. Having crossed the main line the Leek branch crosses the railway on another aqueduct before following along the hillside towards Leek. From wood sided slopes,
covered in a blanket of bluebells in spring, the canal suddenly emerges into a hill surrounded tranquil pool.
From this crater like pool the canal breaks through the hill using a tunnel,
for the short run to the canal terminus approaching Leek. The branch
retains it rural nature right to the end, at
a winding hole (turn point),
just short of the town
itself.
If, at Hazelhurst junction
we stay on the main line, we descend down the main line flight of three locks,
and take up station running alongside the River Churnet. Cheddleton, with it’s mills and adjacent steam railway line, is charming - taking us back a century within a glorious setting. Then on, towards Consall Forge, we join the meandering course of the R.Churnet thru woodlands. Previously we could go on to the Frogall Tunnel and turn there, but now we must turn at Flint Mill Lock about
1.5miles short of the tunnel. BW in an effort to ‘improve’ facilities at the tunnel have narrowed the turning point at the tunnel, which
now prevents full length narrowboats from turning “**!!##%**”? But it’s worthwhile for us to moor up for a while and allow a walk along the side of the narrow channel to the tunnel.
If you want to experience the charm of the Peak District by narrowboat - the Caldon fits the bill.
Photos of the Leek Branch:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Serene winding
(turning) 'hole' at the end of the Leek Branch |
Leek Tunnel |
We 'dub' this as our
'secret valley' |
The aqueduct where the
Leek Branch crosses over the top of the main line at Hazelhurst. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Coming off the
aqueduct at Hazelhurst where the Leek Branch takes a sharp (very
very sharp) right turn through the bridge. |
Starting another very
very sharp turn off the leek Branch onto the main line just above
Hazelhurst top lock...... |
Now safely around
heading towards that top lock (Leek Branch being off to the left of
the photo. |
On a different
occasion, Willow in the distance waits for a narrowboat to clear
Hazelhurst top lock (Leek Branch off to left of photo. |
Photos of the Caldon Main Line:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Willow stops, briskly.
Being first into the bridge, it's our right of way, but the boat
coming made a mess of stopping. |
Cheddleton Flint Mill
- no longer a work place, but the widow of the last working manager
still lives in the cottage. |
Cheddleton mill - now
only a museum looked after by volunteers, but open to the public -
well worth a visit |
This old workshop/factory
'bridges' the canal - Cheddleton, now picturesque but still showing
it's industrial past. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
In the distance is
Flint Mill lock, above which we must turn. For us, being 70ft,
it's the end of this pretty navigation. |
Canal narrows up ahead
as we squeeze past Consall Forge railway station. |
Steam train trundles
over the canal (actually river section) as it passes the Black Lion
pub, having just left Consall Forge railway station. |
The Limestone Forges,
giving Consall Forge part of it's name, can just be seen here at he
end of the Churnet River Section of the Caldon main line. |
Home Page
Holiday Cruising
Short Breaks
Fees
& Booking
About Willow Training
& Consultancy
Back to Cruise Map
Trent & Mersey
|
|
