Consall and Cheddleton

On Tuesday we left Froghall and returned along the Caldon through the very pretty Churnet valley stopping at Consall and Cheddleton.
The valley is shared by river, canal and railway. The Churnet Valley Railway operates steam trains at weekends and holidays, so unfortunately we didn't get to see them running alongside us on our journey.

At Consall the platform and waiting room overhang the canal.

Whilst the Black Lion pub is reached only by rail, canal or on foot.

I suppose we should have waited for the weekend to get a steam train in this picture too as the professionals do. (It would run between the canal bridge and the pub.)

On into Cheddleton and we stopped here to take a look around the site of the Flint Mill, again it is only open weekends, I get the feeling we chose the wrong end of the week here...., however you are invited to look around the site freely.

At the top of the locks the lovely old mill buildings come into view.

There two water mills, kilns and miller's cottages.

The original water mill would have been used for grain, but in the late 18th century the site was altered to grind flint. The Caldon Canal was built in the same period, enabling the heavy stone and  ground flint to be moved more easily.

Wharf crane for unloading flint stone

The ground flint produced was used in the new pottery known as 'creamware' developed by Josiah Wedgwood. 

two water mills

miller's cottage



Tuesday
5 miles, 5 locks

And finally some arty shots of the crane...