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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Number of results: 54

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Alsager Series No. 4 – Borrowpit Meadow

Alsager

Pleasant walking through woods, by pools and with views afar.
Ride the Biddulph Valley Way

Congleton

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.
Walks for All - Macclesfield Riverside

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.
Bollington Discovery 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.
NCN Route 73

Congleton

Route 73 takes in the Cheshire section of the route from Congleton to Davenham. It provides a link between two National Routes - 55 to the east and 5, which runs through the centre of the county and on to Wales.
Nelson Pit Walk 9

Higher Poynton

The first part of two walks making the Middlewood Challenge, a 20-mile walk in the figure of eight. The second section of the Challenge is Walk 10 which is about 12 miles long and takes around 5 hours to walk.
Little Moreton Hall Circular Walk

Congleton

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.
Nelson Pit Walk 1

Macclesfield

This short walk follows the canal towpath and The Middlewood Way, giving an insight into the industrial history of the area.
Nelson Pit Walk 5

Higher Poynton

One of a series of walks from the Nelson Pit Visitor Centre. The route through Poynton Coppice is pretty at any time of the year. The majority of The Coppice is owned by Cheshire East Council and is subject to a ten-year management plan.
Nelson Pit Walk 4

Higher Poynton

This is one of a series of walks from the Nelson Pit Visitor Centre. This is a flat walk along the Macclesfield Canal towpath and Middlewood Way.
Walks for All - Middlewood Way

Higher Poynton

The Middlewood Way is a 16km (10 mile) linear route following the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire East countryside.
Cycle the Middlewood Way

Macclesfield

The Middlewood Way, part of NCN 55 offers a 10-mile (16-km) traffic-free route ideal for cyclists. It follows the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire countryside.
National Waterways Museum - Boat Trip

Ellesmere Port

Visitors to the National Waterways Museum can take a trip up and down the Shropshire Union Canal.
Alsager Series No. 5 – Salt Line and Canal

Church Lawton, Alsager

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’.
Riding the Wheelock Rail Trail

Sandbach

The Wheelock Rail Trail near Sandbach follows the route of a disused railway from Ettiley Heath to Malkins Bank. Today the trail is a rich haven for wildlife and wild flowers and provides a pleasant level and wide route.
Alsager Series No. 6 - Wildflowers and Rode Hall

Alsager

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’.
Nelson Pit Walk 7

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.
Nelson Pit Walk 3

Macclesfield

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

Lymm

Lymm Dam is an area of great beauty and tranquillity. Its woodlands and meadows are teeming with wildlife
Walks for All - Marbury Country Park

Northwich

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.