The Dukes Cut

Sunday, 18 October 2009 18:55

The Bridgewater Canal is among our favourite canals!

Built by the Duke of Bridgewater who was frustrated by the high cost of pack horse transport from his mines to Manchester. He was a canny business man, as once completed in 1776 he began to charge tolls and made his money back as well as halving the price of coal. Deliveries were speeded up and the canal was eventually linked to other canals, by its engineer James Brindley.

Francis Egerton, the Duke of Bridgewater, has been rightly called "The Father of Canals," as it was his vision that began the "Canal Age".

Manchester's Castlefield Basin has probably changed since the Duke's Day, but some of the warehouses and wharves remain as testimony to the canal transport age.

Merchants' warehouse, Grocers' warehouse (at the winding hole) and we leave the Basin in early morning sun:

Derelict Hulme Lock and Branch contrasts with the still used Pomona Lock down onto the Manchester Ship Canal:

The Ship Canal runs alongside for a bit and Manchester's Metrolink is only a stones throw away too! "Man U" stadium towers over the canal:

Waters Meeting is where the Leigh Branch goes NW to Barton, Leigh and the Leeds and Liverpool at Wigan. It was tempting to turn right - but that way is for another year. I really felt we were saying "goodbye" to the Northern Canals and all the friends we have made "oop North". We will be back asap!

Waters Meeting JunctionBut we turn left

The urban Stretford and Sale enclose the canal for a bit but it is not without charm, particularly with the autumn colours and all the Sunday Walkers.

Is it winter already?

Perhaps we should stop for a hot toddy at Sale Bridge?

No - it is definitely autumn!

We met quite a number of boats, including these

Bollington and Dunham Massey are set in beautiful Cheshire Countryside. Who did we spy moored before Bollington Under Bridge (26A)?

Matilda Rose

Caxton with Joe on board

We stopped briefly at Lloyd Bridge (24) for me to visit the Book Swap there. By now the canal was very busy, with boats leaving Lymm (we think!). We wondered if there would be any moorings for us and Gypsy Rover.

Lymm Cruising Club on bend before the moorings

Under Lymm Bridge we went and there was a little room for Epiphany and Gypsy Rover to moor, breasted up. Later on we were able to move across and moor in line above the Golden Fleece.

By the way, you may be wondering what happened to our intended trip on the Ashton and Macclesfield! We decided that a few days rest from locks and the company of Derek and Dot was the better plan, as we are both very tired after my little "holiday" in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary!

Bridgewater Canal, Manchester's Castlefield Basin to Lymm - 5 hours 31 minutes*, 13.78 miles, 0 locks 

(*includes 1 hour fill up at a very slow water point)