Erewash Canal - Easter trip.

Over the Easter break, we only had a few days spare, so we thought we would investigate the Erewash canal. Its just under 12 miles, wit 15 broad locks. Reading the various guides, it seemed like you could probably go up in one day, and back the next.

We moved the boat to Trent Lock a few days before, as Nicky had a couple of gigs / auditions in between. Coming through Trent Lock we had literally hundreds of on-lookers watching us - it was a beautiful sunny day, and everyone had come to the tea rooms and the Steamboat Inn to while away the afternoon.. Luckily, it all went smoothly, and we moored up on the 48hr moorings opposite some rather impressive looking house boats.

A few days later, and we were off. We didnt really take any pictures on the way up, as it was grey and overcast, though dry at least. I'll describe the route coming back down. However, before we could go anywhere, we needed to get a Erewash Water Conservation Key.. We went to Sawley Marina, but they had run out.. At Trent Lock, we were going to ask the coal boat, but we spotted a couple of C&RT workmen, so asked them where we could buy one, as Sawley had run out. "Newark" was the reply!! Arrrgh... When I explained that we intended to go straight away, and we only had 3 days holiday, he gave us his own key! Great service from C&RT - many thanks :)

Immediately I noticed its a shallow canal.. We arent a hugely deep drafted boat, but we struggled, barely being able to get above tick-over before we generated a huge stern wave. Indeed at several parts, we suffered very strong bank effect, which on two occasions got us stuck! Take your poles with you... I wouldn't want to go up there in a deeper boat.

Long Eaton

 Going through Long Eaton, there is a tight S-bend under a road bridge, and beyond some visitor moorings. These are quite handy for the town centre, but we decided we would moor up for lunch at Sandiacre. Passing through Long Eaton, there were some stunning old buildings in various states of disrepair.

Some stunning old buildings - this one in Long Eaton, and rather neglected.

Graffiti above Long Eaton Lock.

Sandiacre Lock, with the Lock cottages (headquarters of the Erewash Canal Society) was next, and we were surprised how well maintained all the locks were. Indeed as we progressed, the majority of the locks had obviously been maintained and refurbished recently, and nearly all were very well greased. We had read that they could be very stiff, but only a couple of them (Trent Lock being the worst) were very stiff.

Sandiacre Lock Cottages. Hope of the Erewash Canal Society.

Useful mooring in Sandiacre by two pubs, Co-Op and Lidl.

In Sandiacre, there are very useful moorings in the centre, just by the Co-Op, and a brief walk up the road takes you to the newly refurbished Plough Inn, which does a decent, very well priced meal. It has moorings itself, but wouldn't be suitable for our 70-ft boat.. There is also a Lidl here, and public toilets, chip shop and another pub. 

Approach to Stanton Lock

Approach to Hallams Field Lock

We saw several Coot nests. 

Continuing up, we encountered kids at a couple of locks - they were friendly, and chatted away whilst we worked our way through. We were surprised to find anyone at Pastures Lock, as its probably the most rural of all of them, but a group of amiable children were there - must have walked miles from Stapleford to get there.

Refurbished, and in use - great to see these buildings at Sandiacre.

Rear of a paint shop. Chimney cleverly reused as a phone transmitter.

Pasture Lock

Stenson's Lock looking attractive despite the grey sky.

We moored that evening just before Gallows Inn Lock - this is a nice spot, being by sports fields. We ventured up to Gallows Inn, and had a nice pint or two - the beer was well kept, and well priced too. They allow dogs and children, which is handy.

A good mooring spot below Gallows Lock.

The next day, we continued up through Ilkeston, and onto Eastwood. Another good mooring spot, which we used the second night, having turned around at the end, and come back down, was just above Potters Lock. You can walk to the Dew Drop Inn (though we were too tired by then to do this) - they also allow dogs and children. We had an early night instead!



Langley Mill, the terminus was quite different from the rest of the trip - it feels very much like a piece of history. It is at the junction of the Erewash, Nottingham and Cromford canals, and the latter two have short stretches still here - used for mooring boats. A swing bridge crosses the Nottingham canal, and the Great Northern pub is just around the corner.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Erewash canal. It is alot less industrial and alot more rural than I expected. The locks are better maintained than many, the towpath is superb (as its part of the Erewash Valley Cycle Trail), and we didn't pick up anything on the prop all journey. We did see a half-submerged shopping trolley near the side at the Park in Ilkeston though.. near the M1 bridge.

Langley Mill lock, like Trent Lock, has no by wash, and it thus a wier. It refills itself in under an hour.

Swingbridge on the Nottingham canal.

Cromford Canal - end of the line at Langley Mill.

 The Erewash is well worth a look.. It has a range of views (see below for contrast!). Also, there is very little traffic... we saw only two other boats moving the whole three days. With 15 locks, it made good practice for me to do the locks whilst Nicky drove in them. It also taught us another few lessons - driving in very shallow canals is tricky, and we had to use all sorts of tactics to get going on a couple of occasions.

I go over this bridge every day on the way to work - nice to go under for once..

St Glies Church standing majestically on the hill, just above Sandiacre.