From Shardlow the river Trent is navigable all the way to the Humber Estuary and became an important river port transferring cargo from the north to pack horses and carts.
From 1766 -1777 James Brindley as part of his vision to connect England’s four major rivers. Thames, Severn, Mersey and Trent, he built the Trent and Mersey canal. The canal joins the Trent ½ mile from Shardlow resulting in the development of a large inland Port, transferring cargo between the wide river boats and narrow boats of the midlands canal network or stored in the warehouses for local distribution. Flint for the potteries, and salt from Cheshire were some of the cargo transferred here.
Associated businesses like ropewalks, boat builders, stables for the horses and offices developed at the port,
With the coming of the railways trade on the canals declined, now pleasure boats use the canal, warehouse are put to other uses, a boat yard still exists and the oldest surviving warehouse, built in the 1770’s is now the heritage Centre
