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Nantwich to Crewe

Route facts

Waterways:
Shropshire Union Canal »

Distance: 10.56 miles / 17 km

Duration: 5-7 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Starts at: Nantwich

Ends at: Crewe

This route features fairly level terrain, mainly public rights of way across fields, canal towpath and some country lanes.

This walking route has been provided by www.discovercheshire.co.uk. Visit the site for further information about walking and other activities in Cheshire.

Getting there

Public transport: The number 84 bus route to Chester will take you back to the start of the route.

 

Waypoints

1. Start

At the bottom of Wilbraham Road, take the path between houses on the left, over the canal bridge and follow it to the lane at Welshman's Green in Henhull.

Easting: 363341, Northing: 353185

2. Welshman’s Lane to Poole Hall

Turn left along Welshman's Lane and then go straight across at the junction onto Wettenhall Road past Reaseheath College. Turn right down Cinder Lane and after walking through the main entrance to Poole Hall, take the path to the left, just after the bridge.

Easting: 364474, Northing: 355069

3. Poole Hall to Aston Hall

Turn right at the lane and take the second footpath on the left before turning right into Church Road. Take the next road on the left, after the school and then go straight ahead at the road junction and along the farm drive at the rear of Aston Hall.

Easting: 365210, Northing: 357212

4. Aston Hall to the canal

Turn right at farm track, go over the railway bridge and follow the track along the field edge. At Brickyard Bridge on the Shropshire Union Canal, turn right in an easterly direction and join the towpath.

Opened in 1833, the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal was built to link up with the Trent and Mersey Canal. Brickyard Bridge takes its name from a brick kiln works set up in 1842 in the next field. If you look carefully, you can still see where they excavated the clay.

Easting: 364889, Northing: 358424

5. Shropshire Union Canal to Junction Cross Lane

Leave the tow path at Cross Lane bridge (No. 14). Cross over the bridge and take the path immediately on the left. When you get to the main road turn right and take the path on the left just before the junction of Cross Lane.

Easting: 367124, Northing: 360712

6. Junction Cross Lane to Larch Wood

Turn left at the main road and take the footpath on the right past Moat House Farm. Take the right fork in the lane towards the moated site and Larch Wood.

Easting: 368804, Northing: 360141

7. Larch Wood to Moss Lane

Cross the small bridge on the right and go left, following the field edge. After entering a farm track, take the footpath on the left next to the brick building and then turn left at Moss Lane.

Easting: 369269, Northing: 358972

8. Moss Lane to Parkers Road Bus Stop

Take the second footpath on the left and then turn right at the railway line and follow it to the next road bridge. Turn right to complete the walk at Parkers Road bus stop, where you can catch the bus back to the start of the walk.

Easting: 369302, Northing: 357997