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

One of the most important and picturesque junctions on Britain’s inland waterways. Located in Staffordshire, near the villages of Great Haywood and Little Haywood, the junction marks the meeting point of two major historic canals: the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Surrounded by parkland, rivers, and countryside, it is both a key navigational hub and a much-loved destination for boaters, walkers, and heritage enthusiasts.

The Canals at Great Haywood Junction

The Trent & Mersey Canal
The Trent & Mersey Canal, completed in 1777 and engineered by James Brindley, runs north–south through Great Haywood Junction. It was built to link the pottery towns of Staffordshire with the River Trent and the port of Hull, creating a vital transport route during the Industrial Revolution.

From the junction:

Northbound leads towards Stone, Stoke-on-Trent, and the Potteries
Southbound heads to Fradley Junction, connecting with the Coventry Canal and the wider Midlands network
The canal at Great Haywood is broad, well-used, and lined with attractive countryside, making it popular with leisure cruisers.

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, completed in 1772, also engineered by James Brindley, branches off from the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood Junction. This canal was designed to connect the Midlands to the River Severn, opening up trade routes to Bristol and beyond.

From Great Haywood, the canal runs:

South-west through Tixall Wide, Penkridge, and Compton
Onward to Autherley Junction, where it meets the Birmingham Canal Navigations
Eventually reaching Stourport-on-Severn
This canal is renowned for its scenic, rural character and gentle cruising pace.

Why Great Haywood Junction Is So Important

• Great Haywood Junction is significant because it:
• Links two major historic canals
• Provides access to the wider national canal network
• Serves as a gateway between industrial Midlands routes and rural cruising waters
• Is a key starting point for popular cruising rings such as the Four Counties Ring and Black Country Ring

Its location makes it one of the most flexible junctions for route planning, whether for short breaks or extended canal holidays.

The Surrounding Area
Shugborough Estate
Immediately adjacent to the junction is the world-famous Shugborough Estate, a National Trust property set within extensive parkland. The canal passes directly through the estate, offering views of landscaped grounds, historic monuments, and woodland. The estate is one of the area’s biggest attractions for both boaters and visitors on foot.

Rivers Trent and Sow
Great Haywood is also notable for its proximity to the confluence of the River Trent and the River Sow, adding further historical and environmental interest to the area. These rivers played an important role in early transport and settlement long before the canals were built.

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

Traditional pubs
Village amenities
Easy walking access from the canal
The surrounding countryside is peaceful and largely unspoilt, with open fields, woodland, and abundant wildlife.

A Popular Stop for Boaters
Great Haywood Junction is a favoured stopping point thanks to:

• Good visitor moorings
• Easy access to walking routes
• Proximity to historic attractions
• A calm, scenic environment

It is also home to well-known narrowboat hire bases, making it a major starting and finishing point for canal holidays.

Walking, Cycling, and Wildlife
Beyond boating, the junction attracts:

• Towpath walkers
• Cyclists using the flat canal routes
• Wildlife enthusiasts spotting birds, deer, and waterfowl

The mix of canals, rivers, and parkland creates a rich and varied natural environment.

Conclusion
Great Haywood Junction is far more than a simple canal crossroads. It is a place where major historic waterways meet, surrounded by natural beauty, heritage landmarks, and peaceful countryside. Whether approached by narrowboat, bicycle, or on foot, the junction offers a perfect blend of navigation importance, scenic cruising, and historical significance — making it one of the most treasured locations on Britain’s inland waterway network.