As part of the Stoke-on-Trent's European City of Sport status for 2016, PHS was approached to work in partnership on an exciting project to create the city's Heritage Canoe Trail. The Council's officers, who led the project, teamed up with Canal & River's Trust and British Canoeing - to bring about the physical improvements needed on the route - and a group of enthusiasts from the Potteries Paddlers to help design and test the route. PHS's role was to contribute the heritage text that narrates the route and identifies places of historical interest along the way.
The 20-mile trail runs from Westport Lake on the Trent & Mersey Canal and takes in the whole of the Caldon Canal's main line to Froghall. But, as tackiling the full trail in one go would give the most ardent paddler pause for thought, the accompanying guide provides a list of access points and suggests a number of shorter trips. The guide also identifies camp sites and other stopping points along the way, as well as safety tips and other useful information for those taking to the water.
