Stone is a small town situated almost at the central point of the Trent and Mersey Canal 48 miles from Shardlow and 44 miles from Preston Brook. For much of this mileage the canal is never far from the River Trent. At one point (Alrewas) the canal and river run together but everywhere else Brindley kept his canal at a slight distance. Stone has been central to communications for a considerable time. It is on the junction of the A34 and the A51 roads. The Stone Post Office at one time handled much of the mail which went to North Wales, intially via Chester and later via Nantwich. The London Manchester railway joins the Stafford Manchester railway at Stone. A kind of Watford Gap of the North Midlands.

You will be informed of your approach to Stone by the appearance of little locked boxes at Aston and Meaford locks. These boxes can be opened with your BW key.Leaflet Box

Approach to Stone from the North Although not really part of the Stone metropolis you will be approaching Stone when you see this lock, the first of four locks at Meaford...Meaford Top Lock Passing through this lock you will immediately come to the second lock, a winding hole( where the old canal swung deviatd to the right via a staircase. This lock is the site of a leaflet box.Meaford Second LockThe guide provides invaluable information about Stone, together with a small map.

Approaching Stone from the South Great Haywood.Aston Lock

Services in Wonderful Downtown Stone All services are within a stones throw if you can pardon the pun! The aspect of Stone which is particularly pleasant is the friendliness of its inhabitants. The smiles are genuine as opposed to the 'have a nice day' type of smile, and most people have time to talk.
The service in both the boatyard and chandlers is excellent, Advice is freely given. Diesel is on sale at both establishments. The boatyard is situated just above Town Lock..Boat Yard. and the chandlers ..Chandlers,just a few hundred yards away below Newcastle Road Lock...Newcastle Road Lock.
  Eating places are numerous in Stone around 21 from, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and of course pubs.The Star
  Stone boasts two supermarkets, (Somerfields adjacent to the canal at Town LockYard Lock and Safeway about 400 yards,) Woolworths, Boots, W.H.Smiths, all situated in the High Street 250 yards. At the lower end of the High Street is a very good ironmonger/tool supplier/DIY who has comprehensive range of DIY goods and tools.Ironmongers If your in need of a haircut you have a choice of two just across the road from the ironmongers.Barbers There are two banks in the High Street Barclays and HSBC.
I will add a little more information to this section in the future.

  Moorings in Stone
If you are coming to Stone from Great Haywood try to moor below Star Lock. Failing that there are a few mooring places above Star Lock and a few more above Yard Lock. There is nearly always room above Newcastle Road Lock and again above Lime Kiln Lock adjacent to the Rising Sun Pub(DEMOLISHED 2006) and opposite Roger Fullers Boatyard.

Turning,Winding or Turning Circles,
  One below Star Lock,easily missed
  One above Yard Lock
  One (Brand Spanker) 300 yards below Meaford First Lock. In use, very easy to turn!
  Just below Meaford Top Lock. (Shallow but usable, keep stern towards towpath )