Great Haywood JunctionA Historic Crossroads of Britain’s Canal Network

Connecting the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Plenty of room to manoeuvre your boat. It can be a busy part of the canal, so take your time.

Caution: if other boats have just gone through, beware of under-currents that slow your progress.

If turning onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, take care of moored boats on your right, immediately after turning. Also, 2 narrow sections just after the moored boats and at the Trent Aqueduct.

Facilities at the Junction:
Some Short Term Mooring at either side, on the T & M canal.
At Anglo Welsh: Water, Pumpout, Elsan, Refuse & Recycling, Diesel, Gas & Coal, Toilets, holiday Boat Hire, Day Boat Hire, Showers and Chandlery.

Great Haywood Junction

Great Haywood Junction is widely regarded as one of the most attractive and strategically important meeting points on the British canal system. Set in rural Staffordshire close to the villages of Great Haywood and Little Haywood, the junction is where two major historic waterways come together: the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. With parkland, rivers, and open countryside all around, it serves both as a vital navigation crossroads and a popular destination for boaters, walkers, and lovers of canal heritage.

Canals Meeting at Great Haywood Junction

The Trent & Mersey Canal
Opened in 1777 and designed by renowned engineer James Brindley, the Trent & Mersey Canal passes through Great Haywood Junction on a north–south alignment. Its construction provided a crucial link between the Staffordshire pottery industry and the River Trent, enabling goods to reach eastern ports such as Hull during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

From the junction:

Heading north takes boats towards Stone, Stoke-on-Trent, and the historic Potteries.
Travelling south leads to Fradley Junction, where connections can be made with the Coventry Canal and the wider Midlands network.
This stretch of canal is broad, busy, and bordered by pleasant countryside, making it a favourite with leisure boaters.

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

Completed in 1772 and also engineered by James Brindley, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal branches away from the Trent & Mersey at Great Haywood Junction. Its purpose was to create a navigable route linking the Midlands with the River Severn, opening up trade routes to Bristol and the south-west.

From Great Haywood, the canal travels:

South-west through the famous Tixall Wide, then on to Penkridge and Compton.
Continuing to Autherley Junction, where it joins the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
Ultimately reaching Stourport-on-Severn.
This canal is especially admired for its tranquil rural scenery and relaxed cruising conditions.

Why Great Haywood Junction Matters

• It brings together two nationally significant historic canals
• It provides access to the wider inland waterway network
• It marks the transition between industrial Midlands routes and peaceful countryside cruising
• It is a popular starting point for cruising rings such as the Four Counties Ring and the Black Country Ring

Thanks to this versatility, Great Haywood Junction is ideal for both short canal breaks and longer boating holidays.

The Surrounding Area
Shugborough Estate
Directly beside the junction lies the renowned Shugborough Estate, a National Trust property set within sweeping parkland. The canal runs through the estate grounds, offering boaters and walkers views of landscaped gardens, woodland, and historic monuments. It is one of the most notable attractions in the area.

Rivers Trent and Sow
Great Haywood is also close to the meeting point of the River Trent and the River Sow, adding further depth to the area’s history and natural interest. These rivers were important transport and settlement routes long before the arrival of the canals.

Villages and Countryside
The nearby villages of Great Haywood and Little Haywood provide:

Traditional public houses
Local village facilities
Easy walking access from the canal
Beyond the villages, the surrounding landscape remains peaceful and largely unchanged, with farmland, woodland, and plentiful wildlife.

A Favourite Stopping Place for Boaters
Great Haywood Junction is a popular place to pause a journey thanks to:

• Well-positioned visitor moorings
• Direct access to scenic walking routes
• Close proximity to heritage sites
• A quiet and attractive setting

The presence of established narrowboat hire bases also makes it a common starting and finishing point for canal holidays.

Walking, Cycling, and Wildlife
In addition to boating, the junction appeals to:

• Towpath walkers
• Cyclists enjoying level canal-side routes
• Wildlife watchers spotting birds, deer, and waterfowl

The combination of canals, rivers, and parkland creates a diverse and thriving natural environment.

Conclusion
Great Haywood Junction is much more than a simple meeting of waterways. It is a place where historic canals, natural beauty, and cultural heritage come together. Whether arriving by boat, bicycle, or on foot, visitors experience a unique blend of navigational importance, scenic cruising, and rich history — securing its place as one of the most valued locations on Britain’s inland waterways.