Canals in Cheshire facts for kids
Canals are special waterways built by people. Long ago, in a time called the Industrial Revolution, many canals were built in Cheshire, England. They were super important for moving heavy goods and raw materials around.
Today, these old waterways are still used! People love to go on holidays on canal boats, go fishing, or enjoy walking along the towpaths. It's a great way to explore Cheshire's history and beautiful countryside.
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What are the Main Canals in Cheshire?
Cheshire has a big network of canals. Each one helped connect different towns and industries. Here are some of the most important ones:
Bridgewater Canal
The Bridgewater Canal starts near Runcorn at Preston Brook and goes all the way to Leigh in Greater Manchester. The very first part of this canal begins in Manchester city centre at Castlefield Basin, where it meets the Rochdale Canal.
From Manchester, the canal goes west for about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles). It then splits into two parts at a place called "Waters Meeting." One part of the canal crosses over the Manchester Ship Canal using a special bridge called the Barton Swing Aqueduct. This section travels about 24 kilometres (15 miles) to Leigh, where it connects with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The other part of the canal goes south-west for about 32 kilometres (20 miles) towards Runcorn. It passes through towns like Sale and Lymm, and goes south of Warrington. At Preston Brook, this part of the canal joins the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Trent and Mersey Canal
The Trent and Mersey Canal is a vital link. It connects the River Trent in Derbyshire to the River Mersey. It joins the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook in Cheshire. This connection helps boats travel across England.
Peak Forest Canal
The Peak Forest Canal starts by joining the Ashton Canal at the Tame Aqueduct in Dukinfield. It then winds through many towns like Newton, Hyde, and Marple. It ends at Bugsworth Basin. There's also a short branch that goes to Whaley Bridge. This canal is just over 23 kilometres (14.5 miles) long.
At Marple, the canal crosses the impressive Marple Aqueduct. It then goes up through 16 locks and meets the Macclesfield Canal at Top Lock.
Wardle Canal
The Wardle Canal is found in Middlewich, Cheshire. It connects the Trent and Mersey Canal to the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich branch). Guess what? It's the shortest canal in the UK! It's only about 30 metres (100 feet) long and has just one lock, called Wardle Lock.
Macclesfield Canal
The Macclesfield Canal is about 42 kilometres (26 miles) long. It starts at Marple Junction, where it meets the Peak Forest Canal. It then travels south through towns like Bollington, Macclesfield, and Congleton. Finally, it joins the Trent and Mersey Canal near Kidsgrove.
Shropshire Union Canal
The Shropshire Union Canal connects Wolverhampton (and the Birmingham Canal Navigations) with the River Mersey. It's another important route for boats.
How Canals Changed History
The Bridgewater Canal is often called Britain's first true canal. However, the Sankey Canal also has a strong claim to that title. These early canals were amazing feats of engineering. They made it much easier and cheaper to transport goods like coal and raw materials, helping factories grow during the Industrial Revolution.
When Did Canals Open?
Here are the opening dates for some of the canals in Cheshire. Sometimes, the date is when the law (Act of Parliament) was passed to allow the canal to be built.
- 1721 – River Weaver (made suitable for boats)
- 1757 – Sankey Brook Navigation
- 1761 – Bridgewater Canal
- 1772 – Chester Canal
- 1777 – Trent and Mersey Canal
- 1796 – Ashton Canal
- 1800 – Peak Forest Canal
- 1804 – Rochdale Canal
- 1829 – Wardle Canal
- 1831 – Macclesfield Canal
- 1835 – Shropshire Union Canal
- 1894 – Manchester Ship Canal
List of Canals in Cheshire
Many canals and rivers that boats can use pass through Cheshire. Here is a list of some of them:
- Trent and Mersey Canal
- Shropshire Union Canal
- Macclesfield Canal
- Ellesmere Canal
- Llangollen Canal
- Chester Canal
- Manchester Ship Canal
- River Weaver
- Rochdale Canal
- Ashton Canal
- Peak Forest Canal
- Bridgewater Canal
- Cheshire Ring
- Wardle Canal
What is the Cheshire Ring?
The Cheshire Ring is a very popular route for canal boat holidays. It includes six of the canals in Cheshire, forming a big circle. It usually takes about a week to complete this journey. This makes it perfect for narrowboat holidays where you start and finish in the same place.
The route is 97 kilometres (60 miles) long and has 92 locks. It's popular because it offers a mix of experiences. You can see the busy city centre of Manchester, enjoy amazing views of the Peak District hills, and relax as you travel through the flat Cheshire Plain.
