The Shropshire Union has an unusual anomaly. The Shroppie Shelf! This is a shelf that was cut or added at the time of building in an attempt to eradicate the erosion caused by a boats wake (the wash).
In places, it's easy to run aground and sometimes tricky to get off. Take care when mooring, especially in open stretches and even allow nearly a foot from the bank. Use the gangplank if needed.
Lock Gates
Tunnel AqueductThe Shropshire Union (Shroppie) begins at Autherley Junction on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Running north through the county of Staffordshire and then Cheshire.
47 locks, almost all up in top half. The largest group, numbering 15 is at Audlem Locks 12 to 26. Two groups of 5 can be found at Tyrely and Adderley. Bunbury locks, a 'staircase two' made up of locks 29 & 30.
The Shroppie has lots of long straights in the southern half but gets much more curvy farther north. Beware the notorious 'Shroppie Shelf', a stone ledge which often extends under the towpath. The shelf was installed to prevent bank erosion. It makes hammering mooring spikes difficult particularly where the shelf is under the towpath.
Part of the 'Four Counties Ring', the Shroppie is mostly very rural winding its way through 'Picture Postcard' settings. The biggest town, by far, is Chester. In the past, boats could access the River Dee but the river lock is no longer passable. Chester, conveniently close to the Ellesmere Port and the Whitby Docks and of course access to the Manchester Ship Canal.
Plenty of short term free mooring both in towns and out.
Easy access to the Trent and Mersey Canal and then the Midlands and South to London.
There are 20 Winding Holes on the Shropshire Union Canal. They are fairly evenly spread. Zoom in on our map to find them.
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