Trent & Mersey Canal

Passing beneath the M1 on the Trent

We left Sawley at 10:15 in warm and sunny weather passing through Sawley Flood Lock and back onto the River Trent.  A mile of river cruising took us under the M1 to Derwent Mouth where the Trent and the Derwent meet.

18th century warehouse in SHardlow

Here we left the rivers to join the Trent & Mersey Canal where Derwent Mouth Lock took us up from Derwent Mouth into the village of Shardlow where we stopped to fill up with water.  The village is of some historical interest.  It was once a major trans-shipment port where cargoes from all over the midlands and north west were loaded from horse drawn narrowboats onto larger ships to be taken down the river Trent and on to the North Sea.  There remain several warehouses and other old buildings dating from this period. 

Densie in Aston Lock

The Trent & Mersey Canal leaves Shardlow at Shardlow Lock the second after Derwent Mouth Lock of 6 large double width ones in this section of the Trent & Mersey.  Apart from Shardlow Lock they are all deep with stiff paddles and heavy gates. 1.5 miles  beyond Shardlow we ascended Aston  Lock and moored up at 13:30 for a late lunch.

Moored above Aston Lock

Our plans required us to travel a further 4 miles and 2 locks but we were both hot and tired from our exertions and so decided to stay for the night.

Journey Statistics

Distance: 3.73 Miles
Locks: 3
Time: 3 hours 10 minutes