GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Whitchurch Canal Walk

6.03 miles (9.7 km)

Enjoy an easy waterside walk along the Llangollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, from Whitchurch to Marbury. It's a lovely section of the canal with lots of pretty locks, old bridges and nice views of the open countryside of Cheshire and Shropshire.
Starting in the town centre you can follow The Marches Way and the Shropshire Way west past Jubilee Park to the start of the Whitchurch Arm. Follow the towpath round to the north, passing Danson's Bridge and Grindley Brook lock.
You continue past Willeymoor Lock to Quoisley Bridge before coming into Marbury. The village is a lovely place for a stroll with a number of attractive meres to visit. Here you can look out for a variety of wildlife including gadwall, garganey and ruddy ducks at the Quoisley meres. Great crested, red-necked and Slavonian grebes, great and little bittern, Canada and pink-footed geese, coots, moorhens and mute swans can be seen at the Marbury meres.
This walk finishes in the village but you could also pick up the South Cheshire Way and follow it south west to the canal at Grindley Brook. You could then return to Whitchurch along the canal from there.
The Bishop Bennet Way also passes through the area.

Whitchurch Canal Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Whitchurch Canal Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking around Whitchurch you could head north east to visit Comber Mere. The 12th century abbey includes a large lake and bluebell woodland which is open to the public on certain open days. Near here you'll also find the worthy village of Wrenbury. The settlement is a conservation area with a number of historic properties including an early 16th century church overlooking the pretty village green. There's also a fine canalside pub with a lovely garden to visit.
To the north there's Cholmondeley where you can explore the 19th century Cholmondeley Castle. The castle is surrounded by 70 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens with an arboretum, herbaceous borders, lakes and a fine viewpoint to enjoy. Near here there's also the market town of Malpas with its timber framed properties and noteworthy 14th century church.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Shropshire Walks page.

Photos

Whitchurch Arm - geograph.org.uk - 1004906

Llangollen Canal, Whitchurch - geograph.org.uk - 1003552

Llangollen Canal, Whitchurch - geograph.org.uk - 1003576

Llangollen Canal - Grindley Brook Locks - geograph.org.uk - 129659

Approaching Jackson's Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 219361

Willey Moor Lock - geograph.org.uk - 1195240

Shropshire Union Canal at Quoisley - geograph.org.uk - 52846

Shropshire Union Canal at Quoisley - geograph.org.uk - 52846

GPS Files

GPX File

Whitchurch Canal Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Whitchurch Canal Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)