Hurleston JunctionConnecting the Shropshire Union Canal to the Llangollen Canal

Hurleston Junction is an important and historic meeting point on Britain’s inland waterways, situated to the north-west of Nantwich in the Cheshire countryside. It is here that the Llangollen Canal diverges from the Shropshire Union Canal, opening up a route to one of the most scenic and characterful waterways in the country.

For those cruising the network, Hurleston Junction serves both as a key navigational crossroads and as the entrance to a journey towards North Wales, renowned aqueducts, and a uniquely river-fed canal.

Location and Setting
Set amid open farmland, Hurleston Junction lies a short distance from Nantwich and is instantly recognisable thanks to the Hurleston Locks. This compact lock flight lifts boats from the level Shropshire Union Canal up onto the Llangollen Canal.

The surrounding landscape is quiet and rural, offering wide views across fields, peaceful towpath walks, and a strong sense of traditional canal heritage.

The Canals at Hurleston Junction

The Shropshire Union Canal
The Shropshire Union Canal forms a major north–south artery, linking the Midlands with the River Mersey and the port of Liverpool. Designed for speed and efficiency, it is characterised by long, straight sections created to move goods quickly during the later years of the canal era.

From Hurleston Junction, the Shropshire Union Canal continues:

• North towards Barbridge Junction, Chester, and Ellesmere Port
• South towards Audlem, Market Drayton, Nantwich, and Autherley Junction

The Llangollen Canal
At Hurleston Junction, the Llangollen Canal branches away and immediately begins its ascent via the Hurleston Locks. Originally developed as part of the Ellesmere Canal scheme, the route was intended to reach the River Dee at Llangollen.

The Llangollen Canal is now well known for:

• Chirk Aqueduct
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Horseshoe Falls, which provides the canal’s water supply
• A noticeable flow of water created by its river-fed design

Why Hurleston Junction Was Constructed
Hurleston Junction was developed to:

• Create a link between the main Shropshire Union route and the Ellesmere Canal network
• Enable the efficient movement of agricultural goods and raw materials between regions
• Keep the Shropshire Union Canal level while raising traffic towards the Welsh border

The inclusion of locks at the junction allowed engineers to overcome changes in elevation without compromising the efficiency of the main canal line.

The Hurleston Locks
The Hurleston Locks are a defining feature of the junction:

• They lift boats from the Shropshire Union Canal onto the Llangollen Canal
• The flight is short, practical, and well maintained
• They mark a clear shift from a straight, engineered canal to a more scenic and flowing waterway

For many crews, passing through these locks signals the beginning of a very different style of cruising.

A Key Decision Point for Boaters
Hurleston Junction represents an important choice when planning a cruise:

• Continue along the Shropshire Union Canal for long stretches with few locks and quicker progress
• Turn onto the Llangollen Canal for dramatic scenery, historic structures, and stronger water flow

As a result, the junction plays a crucial role in both route selection and journey timing.

Modern-Day Use
Today, Hurleston Junction is used almost exclusively by leisure craft. It becomes particularly busy during the main cruising season due to the enduring popularity of the Llangollen Canal.

The area is enjoyed by:

• Narrowboat holiday crews
• Continuous cruisers
• Towpath walkers and cyclists
• Canal heritage and history enthusiasts

Despite its strategic importance, the junction retains a relaxed and distinctly rural character.

Why Hurleston Junction Matters

• It links two major historic waterways
• It provides direct access to North Wales via the Llangollen Canal
• It features a distinctive lock flight at the point of connection
• It is central to many popular cruising routes
• It marks a transition between two contrasting canal styles

Very few junctions on the network offer such a noticeable change in cruising atmosphere.

Conclusion
Hurleston Junction is much more than a simple branching point. It is a historically significant connection between the Shropshire Union Canal and the Llangollen Canal, unlocking access to some of Britain’s most celebrated canal scenery and engineering achievements. Whether passing straight through or turning towards Llangollen, the junction remains a memorable and essential feature of this part of the inland waterway network.