River Churnet - Course

Course

The source of the river is located over 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level in the Staffordshire moorlands, near to the Gritstone escarpment of the Roaches, and next to the A53 Leek to Buxton road and only a few hundred yards away from Black Brook which ultimately, through the Dane and Weaver, flows into the Irish Sea; however the Churnet, through the Dove, Trent and Humber Estuary ultimately flows into the North Sea.

After flowing downhill for a few miles it reaches Tittesworth reservoir, a major supplier of fresh water to the Potteries and Leek. After it leaves the dam at Tittesworth, it flows into the ancient market town of Leek, where it was used until quite recently to aid the manufacture of dyes that were used in the town's textile and silk industries. South of Cheddleton, the river flows through the Churnet Valley, an area of outstanding beauty with ancient woodland, an abundance of wildlife and industrial heritage.

The Caldon Canal locks into the river at Oak Meadow Ford Lock, 2 miles on from Cheddleton and river and canal are one until Consall Forge, where the canal goes its own way again. The River continues through the valley, past ancient woodland and the Bolton Copper works at Froghall, then through the villages of Oakamoor and Alton. It flows past the JCB factory at Rocester and shortly after it joins the River Dove near the hamlet of Combridge.