The Trent & Mersey Canal – A walk in Sections.

Although nearly hidden in the undergrowth, this sign indicates the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal at the point it leaves the River Trent at Derwent Mouth just outside Shardlow, Derbyshire. From there it wends its way upcountry to Preston Brook, a total of 93.5 miles. There cargo would be tranferred onto larger vessels and on to the River Mersey.

The Section numbering/labelling shown to the left below is based solely on our travels along the canal. The Start and End of these sections depend on how far we walked in the day but mainly on public transport access to and from the canal.

T&M Canal Overview

Walk Sections
1 – Derwent Mouth to Shardlow Lock
2 – Shardlow Lock to Cuttle Bridge
Another section here
More to come

The Trent and Mersey Canal evolved as a direct result of the pottery industry based in the North Staffordshire region. With rapid growth there were problems bringing in raw materials and taking finished products out of the factories. In 1766 the Trent and Mersey Canals Act was passed by parliament. James Brindley was appointed to construct the canal.

The canal opened in 1777 and it was an instant success. Other industries benefitted too such as brewing at Burton upon Trent, salt in the Northwich area and coal mining in North Staffordshire.

Like all canals the Trent and Mersey had mile posts. These were used to calculate the charges for the boats carrying goods along the canal. The posts were collected to be melted down in WWII but some survived. These survivors were replaced and those lost remade.

The canal was measured from Shardlow (lower picture) but the real start/end is at Derwent Mouth and so another post was installed there to show this (upper picture).

Use the list of Sections shown to the left to find out more about the canal and its route.