From Chester Wiki

Contents 1 Chester Canal 1.1 Surveying and layout 2 Walking the canal - points of interest 2.1 South from Boughton 2.2 Boughton and the Steam Mill 2.3 Harkers Arms to Northgate 2.4 Northgate to the basin 2.5 The Branch to the Dee 2.6 Basin and Boatyard 2.7 North from the Basin 2.8 Links to the canal 2.9 Books 2.10 More general stuff

[edit] Chester Canal

From Boughton to Mollington, the Chester Canal worms its way through the centre of Chester, forming a moat for the walls between Cow Lane Bridge and the Water Tower. Overall, the canal is 19.5 miles long, has 17 locks and runs from the River Dee to Nantwich. It is now part of the Shropshire Union Main Line.

[edit] Surveying and layout

The original surveyor was James Brindley and work on the canal started in 1772. Brindley's death (from diabetes) was noted in the Chester Courant of 1 December 1772 in the form of a dreadful epitaph which plays upon the cause of his death and is worthy of William McGonagall:

JAMES BRINDLEY lies amongst these Rocks,

He made Canals, Bridges, and Locks,

To convey Water; he made Tunnels

for Barges, Boats, and Air-Vessels;

He erected several Banks,

Mills, Pumps, Machines, with Wheels and Cranks;

He was famous t'invent Engines,

Calculated for working Mines;

He knew Water, its Weight and Strength,

Turn'd Brooks, made Soughs to a great Length;

While he used the Miners' Blast,

He stopp'd Currents from running too fast;

There ne'er was paid such Attention

As he did to Navigation.

But while busy with Pit or Well,

His Spirits sunk below Level;

And, when too late, his Doctor found,

Water sent him to the Ground.

[edit] Walking the canal - points of interest

[edit] South from Boughton

[edit] Boughton and the Steam Mill

This stretch of the canal is home to several pairs of swans, who build their chaotic nests on the banks.

[edit] Harkers Arms to Northgate

There is a turning basin by Cow Lane Bridge.

[edit] Northgate to the basin

A flight of three locks descends beneath the railway and ring-road bridges.

[edit] The Branch to the Dee

Opposite the Water Tower, where a newish development of flats can now be found, the canal tow path was made in part of the gravestones of those who had lived and died on the water. These stones are now gone.

[edit] Basin and Boatyard

[edit] North from the Basin

[edit] Links to the canal

Chester canal by Jim Shead

Chester canal at Answers.com

Chester Canal Heritage Trust

The excellent Steve Howe on Chester Canal

Shropshire Union Canal

Scout's Headquarters - the thing that looks like Noah's Ark!

[edit] Books

History Guide (Amazon)

[edit] More general stuff

British History sources