Rugeley to Fradley (Canal Ride)

Here we are again on the Trent and Mersey Canal, this time riding a short stretch from Rugeley in Staffordshire to Fradley Junction where the T & M Canal meets the Coventry Canal.

                                                    We start at Rugeley Market Place.

The Trent and Mersey canal runs below this bridge, which is numbered Bridge 66.

It is easy to find as it is midway between the two supermarkets, Morrisons and Tesco.

From the bridge this is the view looking upstream, that is towards Stafford.

You can't live much closer to the canal than this.

But this is the way that we are going, that is towards Alrewas via Fradley junction.

The Crown Inn at Handsacre with a balcony overlooking the canal. What better than sitting there on a sunny afternoon with a pint in hand idly watching the boats pass by.

This is the Armitage Shanks factory which looks much bigger on the canal side than it does from the road side. Chances are that some, or all, of your bathroom fittings came from this factory.

                             Another ex lock keeper's cottage and this one happens to be for sale.

                              The approach to Fradley Junction with the Swan Inn ahead.

The Swan Inn at Fradley Junction, where the Coventry canal is on the left of this shot and we are looking back towards Rugeley. As you would expect, food and drink are available at the Swan, but there are two other good cafes here, one behind the Swan and one on the opposite side of the canal.

                    Dining al fresco at the cafe on the right (East) side of the T &M Canal at Fradley.