Tixall Wide – A Unique Broad Stretchon the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

Approx 400 Yards of Quiet Rural Mooring without facilities.

Very Popular Mooring for at least 12 Narrowboats

Arncote Mooring or Spikes.

Popular for Fishing: Roach, Bream, Perch and Pike.

Tixall Wide is one of the most distinctive and picturesque locations on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, offering boaters a rare sense of open water on an otherwise narrow, rural canal. Surrounded by parkland and rich wildlife, this peaceful expanse feels more like a lake than a canal and is widely regarded as one of the canal’s scenic highlights.

Located just a short cruise from Great Haywood Junction, Tixall Wide is both historically fascinating and visually striking, making it a memorable stop for anyone travelling this historic waterway.

Where Is Tixall Wide on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal?

Tixall Wide sits between Baswich and Great Haywood, close to the village of Tixall and the edge of the former Tixall Hall estate.

Distance from Great Haywood Junction
Approximately 1.5 miles south of Great Haywood Junction
Around 35–45 minutes cruising time at a relaxed pace
Easily reached heading south from the junction towards Penkridge and Autherley
This makes it a popular first overnight or lunch stop for boaters leaving Great Haywood.

Why Is the Canal Wider at Tixall Wide?

The canal becomes dramatically wider at Tixall Wide for historical and aesthetic reasons, rather than navigation needs.

Designed to Protect a Grand Estate
When the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal was built in the early 1770s, it passed through the grounds of Tixall Hall, home to the Clifford family, who objected strongly to the idea of an industrial canal cutting through their landscaped parkland.

To Gain Permission to Build the Canal:

• The canal engineers agreed to create a broad, lake-like section
• This disguised the canal as an ornamental water feature
• It blended naturally into the estate’s designed landscape

As a result, Tixall Wide was created as a visual compromise, softening the industrial appearance of the canal.

Engineering and Historical Context

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal was completed in 1772
Engineered by James Brindley, one of Britain’s most important canal engineers
The canal linked the River Severn to the Midlands canal network
Tixall Wide remains one of the best surviving examples of estate-influenced canal design
Unlike later reservoirs or basins, Tixall Wide was never intended for water storage or turning boats — it was purely about appearance and harmony with the landscape.

A Special Experience for Modern Narrow Boaters

Cruising into Tixall Wide today feels like entering a different world. The canal opens out dramatically, with wide skies, reflections on the water, and a sense of calm that contrasts with narrower stretches nearby.

What Boaters Notice:

• A feeling of open water rarely found on canals
• Wildlife including swans, geese, ducks, and dragonflies
• Reflections of trees and changing skies
• A noticeably slower, more peaceful atmosphere

Mooring Near Tixall Wide
While mooring is restricted to 48 hours within the wide, there are good options nearby:

• South of Tixall Wide – quiet rural moorings
• North towards Great Haywood – convenient for services and junction access
• Ideal stopping point before or after visiting Shugborough Estate
• Many boaters cruise through the wide, then moor shortly afterwards to fully appreciate the setting.
• Walking, Wildlife & Surroundings

Tixall Wide is also popular with:

Towpath walkers
Nature lovers and photographers
Cyclists exploring the canal route

Nearby attractions include:

• Shugborough Estate
• Tixall village
• River Trent and Sow confluence at Great Haywood
• Woodland and parkland walks

The area feels timeless and largely unchanged from its 18th-century origins.

Why Tixall Wide Is So Special

One of the widest sections on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
Created to preserve a historic estate landscape
Just 1.5 miles from Great Haywood Junction
Rich in wildlife and natural beauty
A peaceful highlight on a historic cruising route
Few places on the canal network combine history, scenery, and tranquillity quite like Tixall Wide.

Conclusion
Tixall Wide is a rare and beautiful feature of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, created not for industry but for elegance and compromise. Its broad waters, estate origins, and close proximity to Great Haywood Junction make it a must-see location for anyone cruising this historic canal. Whether passing through by narrowboat or exploring on foot, it remains one of the most memorable stretches of inland waterway in the Midlands.