Canals from Shrewsbury heading north?

Shropshire Union?? Not sure how far north it will take you.
Edit- quick google, as far as Ellsmere Port.

I’ve been messaging TJ with canal options. As above I suggest riding to Ellesmere, get on the Llangollen/Shrops union and head NE on that to Shrops Union/Trent&Mersey then on to Manchester ship canal. I’ve not ridden these towpaths so could someone confirm if route is ok and if possible to suggest canal/flat route from here to Wigan?

Shrewsbury itself hasn't been on the canal network for years, but there's the Shrops Union a bit further north or east - you'd need to get basically to Market Drayton to pick that up but could link in via Ellesmere at a pinch. It would lead you up towards Manch through Cheshire OK. Might be a pain with the trailer every time you encounter an angler with a full length roach pole across the path, though.

Edit - cross posted slightly with a couple of the messages above. We're on the same general lines

Look on here, TJ.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network

If you head NW for Oswestry you'll meet the Mongomery Canal, just a few uphill locks then you're on the Llangollen canal, and downhill all the way to Cheshire.

You will soon be out of the big hills. Shrewsbury and north is one relative flat plain (ish) nearly to Manc.

There are some lovely lanes weaving their way in that direction too. Don’t discard roads necessarily, depends how much route planning you want to do

Yea, the towpath from Oswestry area to ellesmere is all rideable. Further south on the montgomery canal its a bit grassy and bumpy. Further north, into chester is fine - well surfaced

In general, it's likely to be quiet all the way, except around the towns.

You can pick up the Bridgewater canal at Preston Brook, short section on road in Eccles to cross Manchester ship canal. Takes you all the way into Leigh. Is paved from around Dunham Massey. Good coffee and brownies Kickback coffee in Altringham.
Alternatively can link NCN 62 aka TPT to Bridgewater canal or link TPT to Sankey Valley trail. All flat but TPT and Sankey Valley loads of 'gates'.

Ta folks

The Queens Head near Oswestry is a good place to join. There is a big 'missing section' and closed towpath further south.

Much of the SU from hurleston junction where the Llangollen joins to the outskirts of Chester is grassy bog for most of it. Chester to Ellesmere is paved though some sections are life expired.

Take the Llangollen canal and cross the tunnels and aqueducts would be more interesting. The Pontcysyllte aqueduct is spectacular. From Trevor take the small roads to Chester