This rather splendid gatehouse was built in 1580 to as part of the Tixall Hall estate and is all that remains - the hall itself was demolished in 1927. The gatehouse is a Grade 1 listed building, now in the care of the Landmark Trust and is available as a holiday hire, sleeping up to 6 people in style.
This rather splendid gatehouse was built in 1580 to as part of the Tixall Hall estate and is all that remains - the hall itself was demolished in 1927. The gatehouse is a Grade 1 listed building, now in the care of the Landmark Trust and is available as a holiday hire, sleeping up to 6 people in style.
On the Staffordshire and Worcester canal lies this rather attractive round tower that served as the toll keeper's cottage. There is a boatyard adjacent to the lock and during the summer months this is a very busy part of the UK canal network
Bratch Locks are on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal and look at first glance to be staircase locks. In reality there is what must surely be one of the shortest pounds (gaps between locks) ever built - each is separated by just a few feet with connection side channels to help conserve water.
Bratch Locks are on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Looking closely shows the tops of the paddle gear colour coded red and blue - this is to help boaters operate the lock paddles in the right order.
Bratch Locks are on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Looking closely shows the tops of the paddle gear colour coded red and blue - this is to help boaters operate the lock paddles in the right order.
Despite the name Swivel Bridge (bridge 108) is not in fact a swivel bridge, I am not sure if it ever was, but now it is the traditional accommodation bridge you see here.
Tixall Wide is a popular place for narrowboats on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal.
These boats are moored on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal, normally just called the Staffs and Worcs. This peaceful location is disturbed only by passing boats and walkers.
Just at the beginning of the Staffordshire and Worcester canal are these on line moorings where other than passing boaters and walkers peace and tranquillity
Bratch Locks are on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal and look at first glance to be staircase locks. In reality there is what must surely be one of the shortest pounds (gaps between locks) ever built - each is separated by just a few feet with connection side channels to help conserve water.
A narrowboat passing through bridge 85, Princefield Bridge on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal.
The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal despite being built as cheaply as possible didn't seem to mind spending money on its bridges. The rusty metal plate bottom left is a later addition to protect it from less skilled boaters who have a tendency to hit it.
Filance lock is just one of many on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. Most of the locks on this canal are around 10ft deep, an attempt the reduce costs by using fewer but bigger locks.
Like the vast majority of canal side accommodation this one on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal would at one time been for canal staff. And like the vast majority it was long ago sold to private owners.
Whenever a boat approaches a lock it and its crew immediately become the day's entertainment. These watchers are known to canal folk as gongoozlers - or goozlers for short. No harm is meant by this and by far and away the majority of boaters are happy to explain to them how it all works and accept a push on the balance beams.
An early morning photograph taken before the sun decided to join in at Tixall Lock on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal before any boats have moved to disturb the water. Two narrowboats, one slightly more loved than the other are moored offside.
Basking in the mid day sun a narrowboat is moored on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal with Swivel Bridge in the background.
All lined up and ready to go this is a small selection of the hire boats at Great Haywood junction, Staffordshire.
On the Staffordshire and Worcester canal lies this rather attractive round tower that served as the toll keeper's cottage. There is a boatyard adjacent to the lock and during the summer months this is a very busy part of the UK canal network.
