Canals and Waterways

Canals and Waterways are a great way to explore Cheshire at a leisurely pace, as well as offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy sites of historic interest along the way.

Cheshire is home to the Cheshire Ring, consisting of 97 miles of canal and 92 locks, taking 50 hours to complete. The Cheshire Ring is made up three main canals that run through the county; the Macclesfield Canal running through Congleton and Macclesfield, the Trent and Mersey running through Middlewich and Wheelock and then the Bridgewater Canal running through Lymm in the North. The Shropshire Union Canal also skirts Chester's City Walls where you can stop off and explore 2000 years of history.

Why not stop off and explore one of the many towns and villages enroute or take a trip to see Anderton Boat Lift, an incredible edifice, perched on the banks of the River Weaver like some giant three-storey-high iron spider.

The Cheshire Ring is a circuit made up of 6 main sections of canal in the North West of England, three of which run through Cheshire and Warrington; the Macclesfield Canal, the Trent and Mersey Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.

The whole is 97 miles long, with 92 locks and takes 1 week to complete. Hire a narrowboat for a week or for the day and explore the beauty of Cheshire; many attractions, places to eat and visit are accessible from the canal side.

The Cheshire Ring provides a range of canalside scenery from the gentle rolling plains of the Cheshire countryside to the peaks of the Peak District National Park. There is a variety of canal features en-route including locks, aqueducts and tunnels plus the historic town centres of Northwich, Middlewich, Macclesfield and Congleton are within easy reach to explore.

Download the Cheshire Ring Map here.

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Things to Do

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Number of results: 54

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Nelson Pit Walk 2

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Higher Poynton

This walk visits the estate of Lyme Park where red deer may be spotted alongside the moorland paths.

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Lawton Woods Loop

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Liverpool Road West, Church Lawton

The name Lawton originates in the Lawton family with its family crest being the head of a bleeding wolf. Local legend talks about a man saving the Earl of Chester from being killed by a wolf.

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Nelson Pit Walk 3

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Macclesfield

One of a series of walks from the Nelson Pit Visitor Centre. One of the main features of this walk is Poynton Coppice.

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Bollington Discovery Centre

Type

Type:

Heritage / Visitor Centre

Clarence Road, Bollington

Bollington Discovery Centre brings together the history of this and other great mills of Bollington, the Macclesfield Canal and shows their place and importance to the town.

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Freedom Boats

Type

Type:

Boat Trip

Macclesfield

Premier boat hire and cruises. Come and visit our chandlery. We hope to provide you with a better shopping experience; a clear display of chandlery, in a light and friendly environment.

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Walks for All - Macclesfield Riverside

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Off Manchester Road, Macclesfield

Situated in the delightful Bollin Valley, the Macclesfield Riverside Park provides a recreational park close to the heart of the town. The park has a variety of habitats and is a great place to watch wildlife.

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Ride the Middlewood Way

Type

Type:

Riding/Trekking Centre

Macclesfield

The Middlewood Way offers a 10-mile (16-km) traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It follows the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire countryside and between historic mill to

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Mow Cop

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Congleton

This prominent hill-top has been of spiritual and practical significance to man for thousands of years.

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Weaver Hall Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Northwich

Life could be very tough for the people of mid-Cheshire but never more so than for those who ended up in the Northwich Union Workhouse.
External Links
- Accessible Information
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Lymm Dam Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Nature Reserve

Lymm

Lymm Dam is an area of great beauty and tranquillity. Its woodlands and meadows are teeming with wildlife

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White Nancy

Type

Type:

Historic Site

Bollington / Kerridge

The White Nancy overlooks the village of Kerridge and town of Bollington.

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Bollin Valley Cycle Trail

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Macclesfield

This long distance cycle route was launched to celebrate National Bike Week in 2012. The 37 km / 24 mile trail follows the course of River Bollin from its source in Macclesfield Forest to where it joins the Manchester Ship Canal near Partington.

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Mow Cop Loop

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Congleton

An energetic short loop climbing onto the ridge leading to Mow Cop. The path leads through beautiful woodlands and there are fabulous views from the ridge. Interesting industrial history – coal mining and Primitive Methodism.

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Alsager Series No. 4 – Borrowpit Meadow

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Alsager

Pleasant walking through woods, by pools and with views afar.

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Andersen Boats

Type

Type:

Hotel Boat

Middlewich

Based in Middlewich, Cheshire, in the UK, Andersen Boats offer canal boat holidays.

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Nelson Pit Walk 1

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Macclesfield

This short walk follows the canal towpath and The Middlewood Way, giving an insight into the industrial history of the area.

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Cycle the Wheelock Rail Trail and Salt Line

Type

Type:

Cycle Route

Nr Sandbach

The Wheelock Rail Trail and Salt Line are both part of NCN Route 5 linking Middlewich with Alsager.

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Nelson Pit Walk 7

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Higher Poynton

The route climbs over 1300 feet from Nelson Pit to Bowstones, and is partly strenuous. However, the views from the highest points on a good day are spectacular. This walk should be avoided on a misty day.

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Overwater Marina

Type

Type:

Marina

Nantwich

OverWater is set in the beautiful Cheshire countryside close to the vibrant village of Audlem. Find them next to Bridge 80 on the Shropshire Union Canal.

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Walk the Biddulph Valley Way

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Congleton

The route is part of NCN 55 Telford to Preston and has a firm, level surface of crushed stone.

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