Norbury Wharfon the Shropshire Union Canal

Norbury Wharf is one of the most attractive and historically significant stopping points on the Shropshire Union Canal. Located in rural Staffordshire, close to the Shropshire border, Norbury Wharf has evolved from a working canal wharf into a popular destination for leisure boaters, walkers, and canal enthusiasts.

Set amid open countryside and traditional canal architecture, it remains a key feature of this long, straight waterway.

Location and Setting
Norbury Wharf lies on the Shropshire Union Canal main line, between Brewood and Market Drayton. The area is distinctly rural, surrounded by farmland, hedgerows, and gentle rolling countryside.

The wharf is easily recognisable thanks to its:

• Historic canal buildings
• Basin and service area
• Concentration of moorings
• Bustling activity during the boating season

Despite its popularity, Norbury Wharf retains a relaxed and traditional canal atmosphere.

Historical Background
Norbury Wharf dates back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the Shropshire Union Canal and its earlier sections were developed to move agricultural produce, coal, lime, and general goods.

Historically, the wharf served as:

• A loading and unloading point for local farms and estates
• A supply hub for canal traffic
• A resting point for working boats and horse-drawn traffic

Many of the original structures still reflect this working heritage, making Norbury Wharf an important reminder of the canal’s commercial past.

Norbury Junction and Canal Connections

Although often referred to simply as Norbury Wharf, the area is also close to Norbury Junction, where the now-abandoned Shrewsbury Canal once branched off. This historic junction helped connect the Shropshire Union Canal to Shrewsbury and the wider regional network.

While the branch is no longer navigable, its former route adds further historical interest to the site.

A Popular Stop for Modern Boaters
Today, Norbury Wharf is a well-known and well-used stopping place for leisure boaters cruising the Shropshire Union Canal.

Boaters are drawn by:

Good visitor moorings
Water, fuel, and waste facilities nearby
A chandlery and boat services
A welcoming and social canal environment
It is a natural pause point on a canal known for long, lock-free stretches.

Norbury Wharf and Narrowboat Hire

Norbury Wharf is also recognised as a narrowboat hire base, making it a starting and finishing point for canal holidays. Its central position on the Shropshire Union Canal allows hirers to choose from a variety of cruising routes, whether heading north towards Cheshire or south towards Staffordshire and the Midlands.

This has helped keep the wharf lively and well maintained.

Walking, Cycling, and the Surrounding Countryside - Beyond boating, Norbury Wharf is popular with:

• Towpath walkers
• Cyclists enjoying flat canal-side routes
• Visitors seeking quiet countryside walks

The area offers scenic towpaths, wildlife spotting opportunities, and easy access to nearby villages and rural pubs.

Why Norbury Wharf Is Important:

• A historic wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal
• Linked to the former Shrewsbury Canal
• A key service and mooring point on a long canal stretch
• A hub for narrowboat hire and leisure boating
• Set in attractive rural Staffordshire countryside

Norbury Wharf successfully combines historic character with modern canal use.

Conclusion
Norbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal is a place where canal history and modern leisure boating meet. Once a working wharf serving local trade, it is now a welcoming and practical stop for today’s canal users. With its historic roots, rural setting, and active boating community, Norbury Wharf remains one of the most recognisable and enjoyable locations on the Shropshire Union Canal.