Wardle Lock No 4
Wardle Lock No 4 is a complicated waterways junction.
The Act of Parliament for the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) was passed on 17 September 1876 and 37 thousand shares were sold the same day. The Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) was closed in 1905 when Newpool Embankment collapsed. In 1990 the canal became famous when Nicholas Wood painted a mural of Nuneaton Boat Lift on the side of George Edwards's house to raise money for Children in Need.
The Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch) was built by John Longbotham and opened on 17 September 1782. Orginally intended to run to Bolton, the canal was never completed beyond Macclesfield except for a two mile isolated section from Dudley to Falkirk. Expectations for iron traffic to Oldley were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. "By Windlass and Lump Hammer Across The Wash" by Nicholas Edwards describes an early passage through the waterway, especially that of Leicester Aqueduct.

This is a lock with a rise of 9 feet and 9 inches.
| Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aqueduct over the A530 | 4¼ furlongs | |
| Flea Lane Bridge No 28 | 3 furlongs | |
| Long Lane Bridge No 29 | 2 furlongs | |
| Middlewich Visitor Moorings (Middlewich Branch) | 1½ furlongs | |
| Ettens Bridge No 30 | 1 furlong | |
| St Annes Bridge No 31 | ½ furlongs | |
| Wardle Lock No 4 | ||
| Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch) | ||
| Wardle Lock No 4 | ||
| Wardle Lock Footbridge | ¼ furlongs | |
| Bridge No 168 (Wardle Lock Branch) | ¾ furlongs | |
| Middlewich Junction Footbridge | 1 furlong | |
| Middlewich Junction | 1 furlong | |
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Nearest water point
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Nearest rubbish disposal
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Nearest chemical toilet disposal
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Nearest place to turn
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Nearest self-operated pump-out
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Nearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Barbridge Junction
Sandbach in the Rain from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Saturday the 10th of March, 2018
Pubs galore. from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Saturday the 15th of July, 2017
Beating to the bush from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Sunday the 18th of September, 2016
A bad case of Deja Vu from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Sunday the 24th of May, 2009
To the woods... again! from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Saturday the 23rd of May, 2009
The long push south from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Sunday the 12th of April, 2009
To The Woods! from Scribblings from the Mintball posted Sunday the 5th of April, 2009
There is no page on Wikipedia called “Wardle Lock”



![Wardle Lock with keeper's cottage. Wardle Lock is the eastern end of the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, beyond which the short Wardle Canal connects with the Trent and Mersey [[7351408]]. It dates from 1829 and is grade II listed (list entry 1229519). by Stephen Craven – 28 August 2022](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/35/14/7351409_31dfad8a_120x120.jpg)





![Middlewich Junction, Trent and Mersey Canal (2). The cruiser seen [[521805]] emerging from Warle Lock has now passed under Bridge 168 and is turning northwards where it will begin the descent of the Middlewich Three locks. The 'Kings Lock' pub is seen on the right and to the right of that, the Trent and Mersey canal ascends the eponymous lock. The Three Locks and the descent towards the Mersey lie to the far left, while the section of canal, centre, under the POCHIN building, is a blind end used for mooring only. by Dr Neil Clifton – 13 April 1979](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/photos/52/18/521826_c5018ffe_120x120.jpg)

![The Wardle Canal . Taking a photo showing the full length of a canal sounds like quite a feat, but here it's not difficult. Allegedly the 'shortest canal in England', the Wardle covers the 47 metres between the lower gates of Wardle Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal with the Trent and Mersey Canal beyond Wardle Bridge. For a reverse view in 1979 when there was still commercial traffic on the canal, see [[521791]]. by Stephen Craven – 28 August 2022](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/35/14/7351408_e7710a3d_120x120.jpg)
















![Narrowboat turning south at Middlewich Junction [3]. A difficult turn onto the Trent & Mersey canal for a full-length boat, even without boats moored on the opposite bank. by Christine Johnstone – 30 April 2023](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/50/98/7509897_52a914cb_120x120.jpg)

![Narrowboat turning south at Middlewich Junction [2]. A difficult turn onto the Trent & Mersey canal for a full-length boat, even without boats moored on the opposite bank. by Christine Johnstone – 30 April 2023](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/50/98/7509890_5ef449ee_120x120.jpg)