Fradley Junction, nr Alrewas, Staffordshire

Known in our house as “the boats and ducks” because those are the main items to see.  Fradley Junction near Alrewas in Staffordshire is the point where the Trent and Mersey canal meets the Coventry Canal.  The café next to the British Waterways car park is run by the owners, and provides a great range of hot drinks, sandwiches, snacks and cakes.  There are loads of seats next to the canal on fine days and reasonable indoor seating on wet ones.  Across the canal is a nature reserve with a buggy friendly boardwalk all the way round.  I never remember bread but the ducks don’t seem to mind.

On warm days the area is a hive of canal boat related activity and the canal locks are a source of fascination.  Don’t go if your toddler is likely to run off and throw themselves in the water as most of the area is unfenced and this would make for a stressful family outing, but if they are buggy-bound, or good walkers, this is a nice spot for a family stroll and refreshment.

Round up

Café Latte price: £2.10 for a large one

Favourite cake:  Millionaire’s shortbread

Child friendly highlights:  Children’s lunchboxes (sandwich, crisps, drink, raisins, chocolate, colouring book) for £3.60  Also smaller portions of beans on toast, egg on toast etc.  Highchairs provided.  And because they happily serve muddy dogs, cyclists, walkers and boaters, the chances are any mess your child makes will go unnoticed.

Buggy friendly:  café is but there is a gravelled area outside, canal towpaths are broad and flat but do get muddy

Car parking: £1 for the day at the British Waterways car park or free on the side of the road.

Verdict

A good spot for a stroll and coffee or lunch any time of the week, any time of the year