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.
The second part of two walks making the Middlewood Challenge, a 20-mile walk in the figure of eight. The first section of the Challenge is Walk 9 which is about 8 miles long and takes around 3½ hours to walk. Total walking time for both parts is arou
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’.
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.
The route follows the Macclesfield Canal north and then along wide country tracks before an uphill stretch into Lyme Park. The views from the highest point near Lyme Park on a good day are spectacular.
The Middlewood Way is a 16km (10 mile) linear route following the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire East countryside.
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.
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’.
From Congleton you quickly reach tree lined lanes below Congleton Edge. Gritstone rocks nearby give the landscape a very different feel to the Cheshire Plain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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