Acton, Nantwich - Llangollen & Shropshire Canal Circular Walk / Run

Today we’re near Nantwich in Cheshire at the village of Acton. The name derives from Actune meaning ‘Oak town’ as during the Bronze Age the village lay on the edge of the Forest of Mondrem. There is a beautiful old church St Marys, the tower of which dates to 1180 making it the oldest church tower in Cheshire. The first half of our route today is along the Two Saints Way, a 92 mile pilgrimage route between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield named after two Saxon saints who brought christianity to the region in the 7th Century. We are heading out over the fields to pick up the Llangollen canal and following it to its junction with the Shropshire Union Canal at Hurleston Locks and then heading back towards Nantwich along the Shroppie.

The Route

Starting from the free car park in the village near St Mary’s Church turn left on Chester Road then taking the track right and then the footpath right across the fields. Follow this straight on until you reach Swanley Lane near the Llangollen Canal. Turn left and then join the canal at bridge 8 turning right on the tow path. Follow the canal to the end and then at the Shropshire union canal turn right following it back towards Nantwich. Exit the canal and cross bridge 93 then follow the path up to Wilbraham road and turn right and then left back to Chester road at our starting point.