Celebrating a historic canal village
FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural event last year, the Shardlow Inland Port Festival returns on September 10-11, promising a weekend of entertainment and family fun.
This first event attracted numerous visitors to the historic village and inland port which is situated on the Trent & Mersey Canal. It is considered to be Britain’s most complete surviving example of a canal village and has the best preserved examples of canal architecture going back to the 1770s.
The festival focuses on the canal towpath throughout the length of the village and includes a floating market and two trip boats operating from the Clock Warehouse.
Inside the heritage centre will be a Shardlow & Royal Celebrations display with an additional heritage display by The Magic Attic.
A craft fayre will be held in the village hall and other activities include a photo competition and a performance on Saturday by Red Dot Theatre. Refreshments and produce will be on sale and there will be ‘tower tours’ at St James’ Church, which will also host a heritage display and art exhibition by Shardlow Primary School.
All dogs are welcome to a dog show and there will be entertainment in the Shakespeare Inn and The Boathouse which will host a craft fair, morris dancing, a barbecue and American hot rod cars.
There will be a children’s funfair and food stalls at The Navigation and live music and entertainment throughout the village.
The event is open from 10am-4pm each day. There is parking on the large field at DE72 2GP for £4 including a festival programme.
Visitor moorings will be provided from Wilne Lane Bridge No 2 up to Derwent Mouth Lock.