Heritage & Community
CFest, Gnosall’s very own unique festival of boats, set on the tranquil canal water that runs through our village.
For fifteen years, the Gnosall Canal Festival has celebrated the extraordinary heritage of the Shropshire Union Canal. What began as a small village gathering has grown into a beloved regional event, drawing visitors from across the Midlands to experience the living history of our waterways.
This 3-day community festival celebrates everything about our waterways. Take a boat trip, browse and shop at the moored boats selling gifts, souvenirs and gourmet food. Learn about our local canals and why they are so important to our community’s history and heritage, and explore historic working boats that are open to the public.
Organised by Gnosall Towpath Restoration group, and in association with Gnosall Parish Council, there’s so much to explore. Festival garden music, entertainment and refreshments are available throughout the weekend.
The Gnosall cutting is a living monument to the ingenuity and determination of the navvies who built it by hand.
Getting to C'Fest 2026
By road, Gnosall is just a short drive from the A518, which links directly to the M6 at Stafford for north–south travel. Those arriving by rail can travel to Stafford station, which offers regular services from major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and London, before completing the final leg by taxi or local bus. The journey into Gnosall itself is well-signposted on roads guiding visitors into the heart of the village.
Car parking available just past Bridge 34 next to The Boat Inn on Wharf Road.
A free shuttle bus will also be in operation on Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm, and will follow the service bus route to/from The Navigation Inn on Newport Road every 20-30 minutes. Donations to Gnosall Towpath Restoration group welcomed.
