Audlem is best explored along the Shropshire Union Canal: you can walk along the towpath and watch boats pass through the flight of locks. There are also two walks with distinctly different time requirements, birds commonly spotted along the canal, and a festival on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in late May. If you’re looking for accommodation in Audlem, these specific attractions can help you coordinate your travel dates with the activities you have planned.
Along the Shropshire Union Canal
Audlem’s flight of locks comprises 15 locks. On the Shropshire Union Canal, it covers a change in elevation of 93 feet over a mile and a half. Visitors can walk along the towpath and watch boats as they pass through the flight. This makes the sequence of locks more tangible than simply knowing the number: by watching, you can follow the boats as they pass through the locks. If you want to do more than walk by the water and also watch the boats, you can combine both interests in one visit.
Canada geese, swans, coots, moorhens, herons and ducks are commonly spotted along the canal at Audlem. These species make the wildlife aspect tangible: birdwatching can be considered as an interest in its own right, alongside boat traffic and walking. The Audlem Wildlife & Ecology Group also organises visits to various wildlife sites. If you’d like to plan a group activity of this kind, check with the group in advance for its current programme.
Walks by time required
The Shropshire Union Canal towpath at Audlem forms the southern section of the Weaver Way. For a shorter walk, Audlem Vale offers an easy 30-minute route. It involves crossing stiles, and the path can be muddy. The Highfields Circuit takes about two and a half to three hours; path conditions can change, so it’s a good idea to check them before planning your walk. The time estimates help you choose between a short walk and a longer circuit, without treating the two routes as equivalent based on duration alone.
Church of St James
The Church of St James is a Perpendicular church with surviving remains dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The term Perpendicular identifies the church’s architectural style; the dated remains offer a separate historical point of reference. The church can be used for quiet personal prayer; access may change. Check current access before visiting, as it may change.
Audlem Music & Arts Festival
The Audlem Music & Arts Festival is free and takes place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in late May. Music and art are its main focus; events include poetry slams, art and costume exhibitions, and singer-songwriter performances. The programme varies from year to year. If the festival is relevant to your travel plans, check the festival dates and programme details for your intended visit.
Audlem offers a range of specific reasons to stay: the canal, its locks and the birdlife spotted there; walks with different time requirements; and architecture and culture. Which focus suits you depends on how much time you plan to spend walking and whether you’d like to arrange your trip around a festival date.
Discover more destinations: Chester, Middlewich, Warmingham, Macclesfield, Beeston, Tarvin, Alsager, Upton.
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