Length miles 4.80 miles
Maximum height 115.57 feet
Minimum Height 20.53 feet
Height ascended 127.23 feet
Height descended 209.50 feet
Not far to go now and as you can see from the statistics more downhill than up at least in this direction. There are no numbers on the junction guide as every bridge on the canal has a unique number so I have shown these instead. There is one exception, at the start at Eggbridge is junction number 144 as it is also the end of the Tattenhall to Waverton leg.
A brief note about the Cheshire Cycle Routes 70; 71 and 89, you will see the odd sign along the canal for these I have no idea where they join or leave 45 so I cannot show them. 89 is only shown at the end of the route signed off NCR 5 someone has placed some temporary 70 signs along the canal but they are haphazard. I will update this Leg and the junction guides when the situation becomes clear.
The canal is a delightful way to enter the City. Be aware that there are no Sustrans 45 signs, at all until you reach the end of the route. The surface from Eggbridge ranges from superb to passable but it is surfaced the whole way. It is narrow in places so please be patient with pedestrians some of whom possibly because of the lack of cycle route signs will resent you as you cycle along. This improves as the city area is entered due to the fact that there are many more cyclists. It is sometimes very hard but the best response is to remain calm and be pleasant. Be aware that as for all British Waterway canals you do require a permit to cycle on the towpaths. By applying for the permit you agree to abide by the 'Towpath Code'. You can download a licence from here, the good news is that it is free, the bad news is that one of the conditions is no cycling in the dark. Download Canal Cycle Permit
From Eggbridge the canal passes through adjacent housing then passing the Netherwood Caravan Park. The Cheshire Cheese public house is reached after bridge 120 and before bridge 121; for a while the canal is adjacent to the A41 main road through Chrisleton. The Cheshire Cheese has a delightful seating area by the towpath where you can enjoy a meal or a drink.
At bridge 122 you will reach the Old Trooper public house. This premises is also very good for meals or a drink and has a seating area next to the towpath.
The A41 crosses the canal at Bridge 122B and there is cycle access here. After passing Bridge 123 and Waverton Lock you will come to the Bridge Inn there is no outside seating area but food and drink can be obtained, past here views of the City skyline start to open out.
There is a bench at Chemistry Lock provided by the Shropshire Union Canal Society. At Bridge 123A by Hoole Lane Lock the cycle way goes over the bridge foot but it is clearly signed for cycle access. There is a Sustrans sign on the road on the far side of the bridge marked NCR 56 but the 56 is in brackets so I presume that this is an access route to NCR 56. Of course anyone joining the canal from NCR 56 will not know that they are on NCR 45 because there are no signs.
The footbridge after Bridge 123A is not numbered but is 123B it gives access to a large car park, but the steps on and off this bridge look to be very difficult for someone with a bike, although I have not tried it myself.
Bridge 123C (Seller Street) is the best access for Chester Railway Station; along Seller Street; Egerton Road; Crewe Street: City Road and Station Road. There are no signs for access to the station here, but there is one further along the canal after Bridge 123D pointing back in this direction. I suppose that if you don't know that Seller Street is the access to the station then you must be lacking in second sight!
The Frog and Nightingale is just by Bridge 123E over which is Frodsham Street. The Frog and Nightingale does not look very imposing but good quality value meals can be had, the character of the place changes in the evening so I would suggest that it is better for lunches. There are a number of picnic style tables adjacent to the towpath. There is easy cycle access to Frodsham Street and this is the best place to divert from the route to explore the Cathedral and the City centre. The City walls are not suitable for cycles and are best explored on foot.
To complete 45 continue underneath Bridge 123E the towpath becomes very narrow through a cutting and the surface is cobbles not recommended for cycling, my advice is to push through this short section almost to Bridge 123I and Northgate Lock. Bridges 123F, 123G and 123H are over the cutting and have no cycle access. There is cycle access at Bridge 123I.
At Northgate Lock there is a very steep downhill section and it has shallow steps, it is safer to push your cycle here. There is a small park half way down the hill between the canal and the City Walls, it has some interesting wooden sculptures and is a pleasant place to stop.
Between Bridges 123J and 123L there is a bend in the canal and before reaching 123L you will see a slip road going off uphill. This leads to Telford's Wharehouse a bar/restaurant, there is a Sustrans sign on the road by this premises pointing vaguely to the canal with NCR 5 the five being in brackets. I would guess being familiar with the area that this means an access to NCR5 but of course when you get to the canal, there not being any further signs the unwary cyclist will not know which way to go. Luckily you have found this site so you know!
The road at this point is South View Road turn left into it after coming off the canal away from Telford's Wharehouse and continue downhill until the junction with Sealand Road. Opposite this junction you will see a park called The Cop and here you can pick up the Riverside Trail a cycle route along the Dee that joins the Dee Estuary Chester/Shotton cycle way. I am not surprised that none of this is signed from 45 but I am a little disappointed.
Back on the route pass under Bridge 123L this is very rough and narrow so it is better to push, there is a nasty pothole at the southern end that could push you into the canal; how waterproof is your bike?
After this bridge the canal basin opens out and at the far end you will see a small bridge, Bridge 126, cross this bridge, not suitable for cycling and continue with the canal now on your left. In 0.54 miles you will come to a Mercian Way Statue, this one is clearly King Offa, and the end of NCR 45, or the beginning if you are starting here! Whoever did the signing here was more than a little confused. Despite the Mercian Way Statue clearly proclaiming to the world that he is on NCR 45 within a few feet there are Sustrans NCR 5 signs shouting equally loudly that this towpath belongs to 5, these are of course not correct. NCR 5 is at the top of the bank on the old railway line and crosses the canal here on the old rail bridge. There are signs at the top of the bank and one of them is an NCR 45. On his shield King Offa points to Bewdly giving a distance to that place of 101 miles.
Why Bewdley and not Salisbury is anyone's guess!
If you are expecting to end or even start your epic journey along NCR 45 The Mercian Way, at a place where there is an information board or some other special feature, you will I am afraid be disappointed. All we have is a very lonely very isolated King Offa. This is a great shame as NCR 45 The Mercian Way is a unique wonderful route connecting, magnificent countryside, places and people and deserves much more than a few haphazard signs, and the odd Mercian Statue placed without feeling, respect or love.
To find out more contact Mike Clarke at email mikeclarke@ncr45mercianway.co.uk
