The Chasewater Circle
Route facts
Waterways:
Cannock Extension Canal »
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Difficulty: Easy
Suitable for: Everyone
Circular route from: Chasewater Car Park
A fascinating exploration of a little-known part the Northern Birmingham Canals system.
An interesting circular walk which passes many points of local history and several conveniently located pubs. Walkers with children should be aware of crossing the main road.
Waypoints
1. A bit of roadwork
Leave the main waterside car park and head away from the water to a footbridge over the relief road. At the far side cross the course of an old railway and to the road. Turn left, cross and take the right hand road, Wilkin Road. This leads to a roundabout on the A5. Turn right, cross the main road and continue on for 300 yards. Just after the rail bridge take a footpath signed to the left on a private road into an industrial unit.
2. To the towpath
Pass the main building and as the road turns left, straight ahead is a small footpath, unsigned. Through a shrubby area and then out across a field heading for a house in trees. Into another shrubby area and to a road, turn right and drop down onto the tow path of the Cannock Extension Canal. This was where Malcolm Braine built his boats, turn left under the bridge.
3. Over the Wryley & Essington
Down this straight length passing two colliery arms on the right to Pelsall Junction through the narrow old toll area. Cross the Wryley and Essington canal and turn left. The towpath stays on the right hand side with access to pubs for refreshment at York's and Becks bridges. On reaching Catshill Junction, cross the Daw End Branch and follow the Anglesey Branch. This last carried coal from the Cannock mines in 1967.
4. To Burntwood
Down here and into the shallow cutting that leads to Ogley Junction, where the main line originally ran straight on down the 30 locks to Huddlesford Junction. Now continue on towards Anglesey Basin over the elegant cast iron bridge at the junction, passing over the old railway on a aqueduct, under the A5 and in a mile reaching Burntwood.
5. Chasewater Centre
After Burntwood road bridge the canal now goes under the new northern relief road and out the other side past the old coal staithes (wharves) and on to the end of the canal at the Anglesea Basin. Cross the end of the basin up onto a road and back down to the Chasewater Centre at the head of the reservoir. Here there is a playground, picnic area, craft workshops and in season a cafe.
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