Hurleston JunctionConnecting the Shropshire Union Canal to the Llangollen Canal

Hurleston Junction is a key and historic junction on Britain’s inland waterway network, located just North West of Nantwich in Cheshire. It marks the point where the Llangollen Canal branches off from the Shropshire Union Canal, providing access to one of the most scenic and distinctive canals in the country.

For boaters, Hurleston Junction represents both a navigational decision point and the gateway to North Wales, dramatic aqueducts, and river-fed cruising.

Location and Setting
Hurleston Junction lies in open Cheshire countryside, a short distance south of Nantwich. The junction is immediately identifiable by the Hurleston Locks, a short flight that lifts boats from the Shropshire Union Canal onto the Llangollen Canal.

The surrounding area is rural and peaceful, with farmland views, towpath walks, and a strong sense of canal heritage.

The Canals at Hurleston Junction

The Shropshire Union Canal
The Shropshire Union Canal is a major north–south route, linking the Midlands with the Mersey and the port of Liverpool. Known for its long, straight stretches and efficient design, the canal was engineered to move goods quickly and economically during the late canal age.

At 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
  The Llangollen Canal branches off at Hurleston Junction and immediately begins its climb via the Hurleston Locks. Originally part of the Ellesmere Canal, this route was designed to reach the River Dee at Llangollen.

Today, the Llangollen Canal is famous for:

• Chirk Aqueduct
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Horseshoe Falls, which supplies the canal with water
• A noticeable current caused by the river-fed system

Why Hurleston Junction Was Built
Hurleston Junction was created to:

• Provide a connection between the main Shropshire Union route and the Ellesmere Canal system
• Allow goods, particularly agricultural produce and raw materials, to move efficiently between regions
• Maintain a level main line on the Shropshire Union Canal while lifting traffic towards Wales

The use of locks at the junction allowed engineers to manage changes in elevation without disrupting the efficiency of the main canal.

The Hurleston Locks
The Hurleston Locks form an essential part of the junction:

• They raise boats from the Shropshire Union Canal onto the Llangollen Canal
• The flight is compact and well maintained
• It marks a clear transition from a broad, straight canal to a more scenic, flowing waterway

For many boaters, these locks signal the start of a very different cruising experience.

A Decision Point for Boaters
Hurleston Junction is a key choice point when planning a cruise:

• Continue on the Shropshire Union Canal for long, lock-free stretches and fast cruising
• Turn onto the Llangollen Canal for dramatic scenery, historic engineering, and a stronger water flow

The junction is therefore important for both route planning and time management.

Modern-Day Use
Today, Hurleston Junction is used almost entirely for leisure boating. It is especially busy during the cruising season due to the popularity of the Llangollen Canal.

The area attracts:

• Narrowboat holidaymakers
• Continuous cruisers
• Towpath walkers and cyclists
• Canal history enthusiasts

Despite its importance, the junction retains a calm, rural atmosphere.

Why Hurleston Junction Is Significant:

• It connects two major historic canals
• It provides access to North Wales via the Llangollen Canal
• It features a distinctive lock flight at the junction itself
• It plays a vital role in popular cruising routes
• It marks the transition between two very different canal styles

Few junctions on the network offer such a clear contrast in cruising character.

Conclusion
Hurleston Junction is far more than a simple turning point. It is a historically important link between the Shropshire Union Canal and the Llangollen Canal, opening the route to some of Britain’s most celebrated canal scenery and engineering. Whether passing through or turning towards Llangollen, the junction remains a vital and memorable part of any cruise on this section of the canal network.