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Wyrley & Essington Canal

Wyrley & Essington Canal. © Geoff Pick - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The Wyrley & Essington Canal is aptly nicknamed the Curley Wyrley, due to its twisting course.

Constructed entirely on the level, this canal was once busy with boats carrying coal from the Cannock pits. Most of the main line has survived as a charming, part-rural waterway. It is not often cruised by pleasure boats, but is a deservedly popular waterway with walkers, cyclists and anglers.

It runs for almost 17 miles from Wolverhampton to Brownhills, skirting the northern Birmingham Canal Navigations. The canal runs close by many local attractions: Pelsall Common, once the site of Pelsall Iron Works but now popular with walkers and nature lovers; Chasewater Leisure Park, a popular tourist destination; Wolverhampton city centre, Walsall town centre, and many more.