Market Drayton to Knighton

Wednesday 25th November

James spent the morning in his workshop, the pram cover has been fantastic as we had rain all morning and he could carry on. As luck would have it by the time we were ready to leave just after lunch it stopped raining.

As we were getting ready to go a Norbury hire boat went by and then the boat in front of us followed on, so nothing past us all day then we were third in a convoy to Tyrley Locks. The two boats in front didn't hinder us getting through the locks we seemed to all be going at the same pace. This lock flight is still pretty even though it was damp and chilly.

Tyrley Locks

The Old Stables at the Top Lock

Tyrley Wharf House

Tyley Wharf House from the front

There is a notice on the Old Stables which reads:-

The Old Stables 1838

Originally built as a private wharf, Tyrley quickly developed into a vibrant hamlet of workers cottages and an ale house, making Tyrley an important overnight mooring and stables for working canal boats.

Past Occupants at the Wharf include a Lengthsman, Wharfinger, Game Keeper, Shoemaker, Boatmen, Horse Keeper and Estate Workers.

1917-1932 Cadbury leased the Wharf using it for loading and transporting milk churns from local farms to their chocolate factory at Knighton.

The stables have had many uses over the years, a Parish Hall, Meeting Room, Sunday School, Reading Room and Poll Station.

After falling into disuse in the 1970s, the Old Stables was first converted in 1983 into a small apartment above a workshop.

Having undergone a full restoration in 2013, this Grade 2 listed building of special architectural and historical interest, situated in a conservation area is now a modern three storey home retaining lots of its original charm and character.

The other sign on the side reads:

The owners of this Wharf hereby give notice that they are not to be held liable for any damage, injury or loss, whatsoever and howsoever caused to or by any vessel, approaching, mooring at, lying on, lying off, or leaving the berth adjoining this Wharf.

All persons using the Wharf and the berth do so entirely at their own risk for any damage, injury or loss whatsoever and howsoever caused.

We continued on stopping just by Knighton Woods on one of the strange 48 hour visitor moorings they have on the Shroppie, I can only assume that these are due to the Shroppie shelf on the majority of the canal and not being able to get to the edge apart from these visitor moorings. We moored up just as day light was fading and it soon become dark, the days are still getting noticeably shorter, the stew that I had simmering on the stove as we were travelling was very welcome when we stopped as we were both getting a bit cold.

6 miles and 5 locks 

TOTAL 697.5 miles and 554 locks