Despite what all the guides say the River Weaver rises in a field at the bottom of the Peckforton Hills, Cheshire. I know because I've traced its source. It looks just like a burst water main flowing out of the ground. This picture of an 18" wide waterfall taken about 50 yards from the source is the infant River Weaver.
For a short distance it flows south then turns in a south-easterly direction towards Wrenbury and Audlem - it passes under the Shopshire Union Canal at the bottom of the lock flight. The river then starts to flow approximately northwards across the Cheshire Plain, toward Nantwich by which time its tributaries have helped to increase its size. From here it heads for Church Minshull - another opportunity to see it as it passes under the Middlewich Branch of the SUC - and Winsford.
Winsford is where the Weaver Navigation starts as most of the river from hereon has been canalised to enable large vessels to carry white gold - SALT.
The navigation continues north (ish) until it reaches Northwich where it turns northwest and heads for the sea via the Manchester Ship Canal & the River Mersey. In turn passing through Saltersford, Acton Bridge and Frodsham.
There are still parts of the 'Old River' for you to explore (preferably on foot or by small craft). But this website will concentrate more on the Canalised Navigation.
The History section (under development) will explain more about why the river was canalised.
River Weaver - about half a mile from where it rises.
