Peak Forest

A UK Canal Boating Article

Category : Canals

 

Length: 15 miles
Locks : 16
Tunnels: 2
Aqueducts: 4

The Peak Forest Canal was completed by 1800, except for the Marple flight of 16 locks, when temporally a tram road bridged the gap until the locks were completed in 1804. The canal was very busy with canal boats carrying limestone from Bugsworth. The lime was either loaded raw into boats or it was fired in kilns and then the product sent on to Manchester, The North West and the Midlands.

The canal is one of Britain’s most scenic waterways running through magnificent landscapes at the edge of the Peak District.

THINGS OF INTEREST ON ROUTE
Bugsworth Basin is an unique canal/tramway interchange where lime, limestone and gritstone arriving on tramways from Derbyshire quarries was loaded onto the working canal boats. Closed in 1927 after a long decline caused by losing traffic to the railways it was finally reopened after 30 years of hard work by volunteers The site has been declared a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Canal boat moorings here are plentiful and older fans of Coronation Street will be interested to know that Pat Phoenix who, for many years, portrayed Elsie Tanner was once the Landlady of the adjacent Navigation Inn.

Marple Aqueduct, also known as The Grand Aqueduct, is a 105 yard masonry aqueduct, constructed by Benjamin Outram between 1794 and 1800. The structure carries the Peak Forest Canal 90 feet over the River Goyt on three graceful arches.

The Goyt Valley is located in the Peak District National Park in the heart of England and combines some of the most picturesque valley, moorland, river and reservoir scenery to be found in the United Kingdom. Located between Macclesfield and Buxton in the Peak District National Park, England Goyt Valley is close to the Cheshire and Derbyshire county border. The Goyt Valley once supported a thriving coal mining industry which provided coal for homes and industries such as lime burning.
At the New Mills Heritage Centre there is a reconstruction of a coal mine with a tunnel that the children can crawl through. There is a magnificent model which shows how the town looked in1884, which was the year in which the Union Road high level bridge over the Torrs was built. The Heritage Centre is conveniently located by the side of the path leading down into the Torrs gorge and to some beautiful walks.

High Peak Trail in Peak National Park follows the path of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway between Parsley Hey and Cromford. There are some lovely walks through some stunning countryside and there are convenient placed picnic tables and look out points along the way.

Whaley Bridge, the branch terminus, has a stone built warehouse and wharf, now used as a base for restaurant and trip boat. Its two arches, formerly for rail wagons, sit either side of a covered wharf. Within a few yards is the start of the first incline on the rail line to Cromford where wagons were hauled up by chains powered by a horse capstan.

PLACE TO VISIT
The village of Romiley is well worth a visit and has a good selections of places to eat and drink. The local cafés offer a local ambience and the restaurants offer cuisine of an excellent calibre there are also a number of takeaways and sandwich shops. The good selection of local shops gives you a chance to stock up on fresh provisions.
Furness Vale, famous for its railway line, is a pretty little canal side village between New Mills and Whaley. There are plenty of moorings available close to the village centre so it is a good place to stop if you need to do a shop. The village has a shop, post office and a couple of pubs.

Owned by the National Trust visit Lyme Park House and Gardens at Disley on the edge of the Peak District. This glorious house, surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate. Step back in time to the Edwardian era, stroll around and marvel at the lavish interiors, try out the piano, read a book in the library, or take the children to play in the nursery bedroom.

The kids can let off steam in Crow Wood Playscape with its giant slide, badger den and rope walks whilst the adults can enjoy the nearby Timber Yard Coffee Shop which has delicious hot and cold snacks, soups and range of cakes on its menu.
Ashton under Lyne is one of the major destinations for shoppers in Greater Manchester and is popular for its famous market ground. The town centre is easily accessed and contains a large number of modern retail developments. The town is vibrant and in the evening is bursting with life with many bars, pubs and restaurants to cater for every taste.
Manchester is one of the most vibrant city's in Europe and has something to offer every visitor. Experience the atmosphere of one of the country's most famous clubs, Manchester City visit the museum and walk in the footsteps of your footballing hero. The Urbis Exhibition Centre has five floors of ever changing exhibits which offer an insight to the culture of this vibrant city.

Visit The Lowry Centre which is set at a waterside location in the heart of the redeveloped Salford Quays. Shopping in the city is an experience like no other, label lovers or bargain hunters Manchester has it all. Chinatown is one of the busiest and most colourful areas of city and is dominated by the Imperial Chinese Archway.

Visit the many shops which offer a wide range of products especially from Hong Kong and Peking. Chinatown is filled with great many restaurants offering a real taste of the Orient. As you would expect in a major and cosmopolitan city you will find a huge range of places to eat and drink.

 

 

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