Queens Head to Maesbury Marsh - Montgomery Canal

Monday 8^th July

Off We Go

We are on the move this morning and have three locks to do.  The sun was shining as we set off along the canal.  The first lock was just around the corner and a boat had come up last night so it was all set for us.

Under the Road Bridge

We were soon through there and on our way to the next one which wasn’t far away.  We were soon through there and on we went.

Coming into the top lock

Nice House by the Canal

We got to the last lock and that was set as well so in we went.  I opened the paddles and down we went.  You can see the nature reserve from this lock and there is a gate into it although that look very overgrown as well.

In the Middle Lock

On we went, the sides of the canal have been left to grow for the insects and flowers and so it’s a bit like going through a ditch at times.  I call it the forgotten canal as it’s like being in another world going along here, almost a secret world!

In the Bottom Lock

Path into Reserve by bottom lock

We were soon approaching Maesbury and went past the moorings and the Wharf.  You have to go on about a mile where there is a lift bridge to go through.  I opened the bridge and Kev chugged through.  The winding hole is about another 250 metres from here so Kev went to turn around and I stayed at the bridge keeping it open.

Now where does the canal go!

This is a small road to some houses so I was ready to close it if anyone came but it was so quiet and soon Kev was coming back, through the bridge he went and I closed it behind him.  We went on a bit and moored up in the visitor moorings.

The Forgotten Canal

Coming to Maesbury Marsh

We had found out there was a farm shop a couple of miles away so we set off to find it.  We walked back up past the lift bridge and on along the canal, past the winding hole which is the end of the navigation at present, although the canal is still in water beyond this section.

Going through lift bridge

Coming back through

We walked up onto the road, along a very quiet lane, past a church at Morton, unfortunately it was locked so we couldn't go in and then we were at the farm shop, Llynclys Hall Farm Shop.  It is quite small, they had fresh vegetables grown on the farm and bread from a local baker’s and sausages, bacon and black Pudding from Jamie Ward a local butcher who breeds his own pigs, we have had his products before as he has a shop in Chirk and it’s really good.  They also had local ice cream, Woodlands of Erbistock, they are based in Wrexham.  I had Mango and Lime and Kev had Choc Mint Chip and they were delicious. 

Farm Shop

Info Board near Lift Bridge

We bought a few goodies and then sat outside to eat our ice creams before our walk back.  There were a few caches along the way so we did them as we walked back.  Near the lift bridge there was a house selling free range eggs so we called in there to get some but the people in front of us got the last six.  The chap said that he would have more tomorrow so we will call back then.

We stopped off at the boat to drop off our purchases then we walked the other way along the canal passing Canal Central which is a café, caravan and camping site and does horse drawn boats trips some weekend’s.  Unfortunately the café is closed Mondays and Tuesdays so we walked on to the Wharf.  There is a pub there called The Navigation but this was closed as well!

Church on our walk

There was a sign on the canal saying farm shop down the lane so we went to see, it was a small shed with fruit and veg, eggs, milk, etc.  We had a look and bought some onions and tomatoes then walked back to the boat.

We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow as we want to try the pub, it is open tomorrow but only in the evening so we shall go there then.

Moored at Maesbury Marsh