Marina News
25th Jan 2012
NEW BROKERAGE PARTNER
We have partnered with national boat broker ABNB who will be offering a comprehensive brokerage service from Aston Marina. If you are looking to buy or sell, get in touch with us for more information!
18th Aug 2011
NEW PUMP-OUT MACHINE
We have just installed a larger and considerably more powerful Leestrom pump-out unit which is ready for use by existing moorers and visitors alike - call us for more information.
Opening Hours
Marina Office |
|
Monday | Closed |
Tuesday | 9am - 5.30pm |
Wednesday | 9am - 5.30pm |
Thursday | 9am - 5.30pm |
Friday | 9am - 5.30pm |
Saturday | 9am - 5.30pm |
Sunday | 10am - 5.00pm |
Find Us
Aston Marina
Lichfield Road [A51]
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 8QU
01785 819702
Click to View Map
| Miles: | 97 |
| Locks: | 92 |
| Hours: | 50 - 60 |
The Four Counties Ring is possibly the most popular cruising route on the inland waterways, passing through predominantly rural scenery and taking in the Trent & Mersey, Shropshire Union and Staffs & Worcester canals.
Travelling clockwise from Aston Marina, the first leg of the journey crosses famously beautiful countryside and passes the villages of Sandon and Weston before reaching Great Haywood Junction. Turning right and joining the Staffs and Worcester canal, you pass through the stunning Tixal Wides, and close to Shugborough Hall, before crossing Milford Aquaduct over the River Sow. The canal passes to the south side of Stafford and some pretty villages including Penkridge, which offers a good choice of pubs and restaurants, before reaching Hatherton Junction, where the Hatherton canal, currently being renovated, branches off towards Cannock. After weaving through more pretty countryside you skirt some urban areas of Wolverhampton before reaching Autherley Junction and the Shropshire Union Canal.
From Autherley the "Shroppie" takes you north to Gnosall and onwards through the impressive Shelmore Wood cutting before reaching Norbury Junction, where the now disused Telford & Shrewsbury Canal once branched off. Continuing north from Norbury a flight of 5 locks at Tyrley brings you through the busy town of Market Drayton. Anther two flights of locks, including 15 at Audlem drops you down onto the Cheshire plains, and across an aqueduct over the River Weaver into the picturesque town of Nantwich, which spans both banks of the river. Hurleston Junction, the start of the Llangollen Canal, shortly precedes Barbridge Junction where a right turn off the main "Shroppie" leads onto the Middlewich Branch, across pretty farmland, through Wardle lock and into the ancient Roman salt town of Middlewich.
Here you join the Trent & Mersey canal and head south and up the gruelling series of 31 locks aptly named "Heartbreak Hill" by the old boatmen. Here the water takes on a reddish tint caused by rock minerals released by old mining works. The Harecastle Tunnel follows and is said to be haunted! Navigation is with single file traffic only and boats pass through in groups alternating in either direction. If you survive the ghost of the tunnel you enter the potteries conurbation, rich in industrial heritage. Passing Etruria Junction, a statue of James Brindley and the Etruria Industrial Museum mark the beginning of the Caldon Canal. Continuing south the canal shares the Trent valley with the railway line past Barlaston and the Wedgewood Potteries Museum toward Stone. Passing the old Joules Brewery buildings marked by the famous red cross, the canal leads through the town centre, with its many pubs and restaurants. A mile or so of rural scenery leads you to your final lock at Aston, and back to Aston Marina.
