Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

This circular route form one of two options of the same canal and river in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The start point is either from the Carpark of 'the Boat' (Public House) in Cheddleton or my favourite the Black Lion, Consall Forge.

Though there is no charge for parking a visit for refreshment would be in order. My recommendation is the bagette at Lunchtime

Starting at the Black Lion head northwards on the Canalised river and enjoy some fantastic views of the Churnet valley as you head towards where the canal and river join. This is Meadowford Loch. A simple portage or those with a loch key...... For me this is my coffee stop as there is no access to this point by road or trail. All to often the fields opposite are home to multiple herons and there is always multiples of canada geese. With good fortune you will have picked up on the king fishers, water voles and other regular fauna and for those who are lucky the ocassional deer.

From here we head along the canal for about 45 minutes or longer if paddling with some of my colleagues. THere is one portage further and the two gateways are such that I would not both with a trolley, but each to their own. As we approach the pub on the left handside of the canal pass be ready to pass under the road bridge and climb out. A quick portage of the canoe through the woods and you end up stream of the other road bridge.

To enter the river you will need to under stand that entering your boat will most probably mean wet feet up to mid shin. Once under the bridge you are faced with a small island and the preferred option is to take the right hand channel......but please choose either. Almost straight away we are on top of the only weir (with gauging station) on the trip and the route is obvious.




Once a moment or two is enjoyed here then we have a windy river down the valley escorted by the Cheddleton Steam train, care has to be taken in two places where there is a small ripple when rains have preceeded the trip. The final flourish is through a wooded area and as always take care when navigating around trees.

Arriving back at Meadowford Lock we have a twenty minute of so paddle to the end of our route at the Black Lion. On the bank side where we climb out of our canoe take a minute or two to invesigate the Lime Kilns.

This trip should take in the region of about three hours, brew stop dependent.

I am sure colleagues will support this thread with useful photgraphs.

Do enjoy the day out.
Mid May is in total splendour with the woods and banks covered in a blue carpet, it's bluebell time

Sean

A few photos depicting some of the the route explained above.


The Put-in and parking at Consal forge. The remains of the old kilns mentioned are just visible.

Meadowford Lock and the Caldon Canal with the River Churnet on the right of the picture. The route will bring you out at this point.

Along the Churnet. Peaceful and quiet.

"The final flourish is through a wooded area and as always take care when navigating around trees."

Ahem,
Enough said...



those baguettes really are this big...