Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cessary for towpath users to walk between tables of drinkers. The Folk & Boat Festival takes
place in June. Saltworks here included those of Murgatroyd's and Seddon's. There is a moat
up the hill.
After Middlewich Top Lock, the short Wardle Canal leads off to connect with the Mid-
dlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. The Trent & Mersey Canal now becomes
part of the Four Counties Ring to Great Haywood.
Wheelock may take its name from the Welsh
chwel
, to turn, because of the winding river.
The A534, formerly the Sandbach to Nantwich turnpike, crosses before the Commercial
Hotel. Opposite the wharf was a fustian mill, which was to become a phosphoric acid works
during the First World War and then a printing works.
So far, the canal has been remarkably lock-free but that now changes. The two Wheelock
Locks start Heartbreak Hill to Kidsgrove, 26 locks in 11km, often duplicated to remove bot-
tlenecks.
Lawton was Saxon for hill farm. All Saints' church at Church Lawton dates from 1180,
on a Saxon mound, and has a Norman doorway, 1540 spire and red-brick nave of 1803, fol-
lowing a fire four years earlier. The remains of St Werburgh rested here in 707 on the way to
Chester for burial. Lawton Hall looks Gothic but is only 17th century.
The rural setting of Church Lawton
.
The Crewe to Kidsgrove railway follows the canal, passing the six Red Bull Locks, one
of which is accompanied by a large warehouse and wharf crane. The Red Bull public house
is located at Red Bull Wharf. The short Hall Green Branch has confused many a boater by
leaving on the south side of the Trent & Mersey Canal and then crossing over on the Pool
