The Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union starts at Barbridge junction where it leaves the Shropshire Union and joins the Wardle canal at Middlewich which in turn links it to the Trent & Mersey canal.
There are only three locks on this 10 mile long branch and they are all narrow beam single width locks around 7’ 6” wide.
The Middlewich branch doesn’t actually join the Trent & Mersey it joins the shortest canal in the UK, the Wardle canal which is only 154 feet long and has one lock. The Wardle canal then joins the Trent & Mersey. It is mentioned here because most people wouldn’t realise the Wardle canal exists.
The Middlewich branch was originally part of the Chester canal and opened in about 1830. It was taken over and became part of the Shropshire Union in 1846. It is a very rural canal cutting across Cheshire dairy farmland.
The canal can get very busy especially in the summer as it is a good link route between two main canals, part of the four counties ring and also has two large marinas along its length.
Lock 1 - Cholmondeston lock (11' 3")
Lock 2 - Minshull lock (11' 0")
Lock 3 - Stanthorne lock (11' 3")
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