Barton Turn to Branston (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Bunny on Towpath

Coming into Barton Turn Lock

The sun was shining as we set off today to Branston Water Park, a couple of miles along the canal. We got to Barton Turn lock and a boat had just come out so the lock was set for us, it is not a very deep lock so we were soon through here and we stopped below the lock to get water.

We then chugged on along the canal and just before Bridge 36 we pulled in to get rid of rubbish at the rubbish disposal point. 

We squeezed through this bridge hole

In Tatenhill Lock

Soon we were approaching Tatenhill Lock where a boat had just come up and another was just coming up, so we waited our turn and in we went.  There were another two boats waiting to come up so quite a queue was forming.  This lock is only 3’ 7” so doesn’t take long to empty and fill.

 

We went on a bit further and moored in the visitor moorings beside Branston Water Park.

Branston Water Park

We had some lunch then walked up the canal to the bridge where there is a pub called The Bridge, we walked up onto the road and down past some houses and into the Water Park.  

Sitting in the Water Park

Branston Water Park is a 40 acre lake edged with a path which gives you the opportunity to explore the surrounding woodland, wetlands and meadows which are home to a variety of wildlife and plants.  This site has been created by the East Staffordshire Countryside Project.  There is also a café in the park and there are paths leading to it from the towpath.

We had a good walk around the park, its really nice and there are benches dotted about. We stopped for a coffee in the café then walked back to the boat.  There was a little robin who was very tame and came near us when we were sat having our coffee.

Friendly Robin

Entrance to Water Park from canal

We then walked up the other way up to Branston lock as someone had told me there was a path there which led to a Morrisons and a retail park.  We walked past the path first but then we found it on the way back, but it was all around a field then under the A38, quite a trek so we decided not to bother and walked back to the pub then down the road and into Branston village where there is a few shops including a Co-op, a Chemist and a Fish & Chip shop.  This village is the original home of Branston Pickle before production was moved to Bury St Edmonds in 2004.

We walked back to the canal via the Water Park.

We are staying here now for a couple of days and are going to catch the bus to Burton-on-Trent tomorrow.

Moored at Branston