Leaving the marina and traveling north just a mile or so along the canal you will come to the hamlet of Stenson. Over-looking the lock you will find the Lock House Tea Room renowned for its range of delicious cakes and light snacks. The pub is known as The Stenson Bubble, thought to be a reference to the water disturbance when this twelve foot four inch lock is emptied. A little further along you pass through Swarkestone, noteable for its elegant bridge accross the Trent. Said to be the longest stone built bridge in the UK. Swarkestone lock is the junction with the Derby Canal, abandoned in 1964 but today undergoing restoration.
A couple of miles on Shardlow remains one of the most historic and picturesque villages on the entire waterway network. The wharf alone has two popular pubs and a heritage centre. Old warehouses nearby have been converted into desirable waterside residences. Passing Sawley Marina and through the double locks you will be entering the river section at the four way crossroads known as Derwent Mouth. Surrounded by water meadows its an attractive spot if a little noisy from the M1 motorway nearby. Travel on to explore the Attenborough Nature Reserve and the Beeston Canal that skirts Nottingham or onto the River Soar Grand Union Canal.
	Leaving the marina travelling south, first you will pass through Willington with its charming pubs and shops. Repton follows shortly, this ancient village was the capital of Mercia way back in the 9th century. The canal follows the A50 and then the A38 for a few miles crossing the River Dove on an elegant aqueduct. Nearing the town of Burton on Trent Dallow Lock is the first narrow lock, a harmless little thing in comparison to the strenuous double locks in the northern direction. Above the lock lies Shobnall fields, this lovely park is Burton's pride and joy with some excellent moorings on the canals offside. You may well smell the tang of hops for both Marston's Brewery with its visitor centre and Coors Maltings are close by. As you pass the Maltings (to the south-east), look out for the peregrine falcons returning to their nesting box high on the towers.  Skirting the town take in the views to the north of the hills of the Needwood Forest.
A suburb of Burton is Branston where the pickle originated although not made here any more. Branston offers good shopping and a large Morrisons supermarket. The canalside Bridge Inn, a former boatman's hostelry,  offers a good range of beers and Italian pasta and pizza, along with a garden over-looking the canal. Branston Water Park is close by, created from a flooded gravel pit and home to a variety of birdlife. A footpath from Tattenhill Lock leads across the fields to the village a mile or so away. It's a worthwhile excursion, the scenery is delightful whilst Tattenhill is quaintly picturesque with a fine pub, The Four Horseshoes. Passing Barton Marina and shopping complex you will come to the village of Barton under Needwood.             Outside the summer, look out for the yellow board by the marina entrance, which will tell you whether the upcoming river section is passable.
	On to the lock at the pretty hamlet of Wychnor. Ensure you take the rightmost arch under the footbridge before Alrewas Lock, here the River Trent flows through the canal for a short section. The navigation may be closed here after heavy rain. Alrewas village is unspoilt with good shops and plenty of pubs. The ever popular Fradley Junction comes next with its series of locks (the busiest in Britain). The well known Swan Inn makes for a lively spot to eat, drink and take in the scene of boats proceeding through the locks. Either left through the swingbridge onto the Coventry canal where it heads off south, a quieter fairly lock free direction to travel. Or continue on the Trent & Mersey amidst sublime woodlands glimpsing the three spires of Lichfield Cathedral, a few miles away to the south.
The rural idyll is interrupted at Handsacre. Stop for highly acclaimed fish & chips by bridge 58 at Michael's fish bar or imbibe the local Bass beer at the Crown. Armitage next, synonymous with toilets of course! Two popular hostelries here - The Plum Pudding and The Spode Cottage. The cooling towers of the power station indicate the approach to Rugeley a useful place to stock up with supplies. Crossng the River Trent on a short aqueduct the canal returns to splendid open countryside. Overlooked by the Cannock Chase and accompanied by the River Trent, the canal traverses a gentle landscape of wildflower-strewn water meadows and rhododendron-studded woodlands. Skirt Little Haywood with it's cluster of shops and a couple of pubs. Then comes the climax, as you find yourself looking across gracious parkland to the loveliest stately home - Shugbourough Hall. Great Haywood is a sizeable village with shops, pubs and tearooms. Then its straight on to the Potteries at Stoke on Trent.