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.
This route, devised by Alsager Chamber of Trade, is one a series of walks in the Alsager area. The walks have been published in leaflets entitled ‘It’s all about Alsager - Walking Maps of Alsager’.
The Bollin Valley Way is a 25 mile (40 km) recreational path shadowing the course of the River Bollin. The route starts at Macclesfield Riverside Park and finishes in Partington giving walkers a feel of the valley's variety.
Linking up with the Macclesfield Canal allows you to enjoy a gentle stroll along this picturesque waterway, before returning once again to cross the fields back to the unique half-timbered Little Moreton Hall.
A pleasant ramble on the Middlewood Way, across fields and along the towpath of the Macclesfield Canal. Part of the walk, crossing from the Middlewood Way to the Canal can be muddy.
The Wheelock Rail Trail is a popular 2km traffic free route for walkers and cyclists on the outskirts of Sandbach and runs between Ettiley Heath and Malkins Bank.
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.
Enjoy a pleasant ramble in the rolling Cheshire countryside, through arable farmland and pastures, along the Macclesfield Canal and across the Danes Moss Reserve.
Many of the features of the Country Park, including the lime avenues and the arboretum, are a legacy of the days when Marbury was a grand estate. Stroll through splendid woodlands and enjoy views across Budworth Mere.
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.
For over 100 years trains travelled along the Biddulph Valley Way carrying coal from the Potteries to Congleton. Today walkers, cyclists and horse riders enjoy this tranquil route away from the roads.
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.
Established in 1971, Middlewich Narrowboats are a small company, who place great importance on strong customer relations and value for money. They operate three main routes covering the 'seven wonders of the waterways'
Andersen Boats offer canal boat holidays and are ideally located for a choice of picturesque canal adventures including the Llangollen Canal, the Marple aqueduct and the Anderton Boat Lift.
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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