Macclesfield Canal

Marple to Macclesfield - 9th March 2017

Bollington, Macclesfield Canal

On my 'time off in lieu' day from work I chose to begin my pursuit on the Macclesfield Canal.  I got a train to Marple, via Manchester Piccadilly, and ascended up the final eight locks on the Marple Flight to Marple Junction where the canal begins. The Macclesfield Canal was built in 1831 and situated in East Cheshire.

Macclesfield Canal is probably the most scenic canal I walked on...you feel as if you're really out in the countryside passing villages of High Lane, Higher Poynton and Bollington with its important Clarence Mill.  I had a 'middle of nowhere' feeling - it is very rural and Macclesfield is reliably the only place for a train home.  We passed villages of High Lane, Higher Poynton and Bollington with its impressive Clarence Mill.

What is unique on the Macclesfield Canal is the stone milestones which shows the distances from Marple and to Hall Green and its beautiful roving bridges.  I met a number of friendly passer-bys including boaters, dog walkers - including the deaf bull dog, Molly, who was sweet and soft as a brush, and a marine shop owner.

My main stop was at the Miners Arms in Four Ends for a drink  I reached Macclesfield just before it got dark - retreated at The Puss In Boots for a comfort stop before catching the train home.  Still have 15 miles or so to go before completing the canal.

Congleton to Macclesfield - 17th June 2017

Bosley Flight of Locks, Macclesfield Canal

I was looking forward to returning to the Macc! The Macclesfield Canal is certainly one of the most scenic canals I've walked on.  The canal is rural and meanders through open countryside and known for its Snake Bridges particularly, Folden Bank Bridge, the one I came across this stretch.

I started the walk from Congleton and walked approximately 10 miles or so to Macclesfield.  The challenge I faced was the hot weather and the stifling heat!  It was great to see blues skies and sunshine but the heat made walking hard!  I regularly sought refuge under the trees and bridges.  There was a lack of pubs/shops/facilities canalside along the stretch which was disappointing.  This meant relying on my own drinks supply and kindness from a narrowboat couple (with their lovely dog, Blossom) who gave me a much welcomed glass of water enroute.

The walk was uneventful from Congleton until reaching Bosley Locks Flight.  Ascending up the locks you can see the Pennines in the distance.  The canal was busy with boats particularly at the beginning and the end of the flight.  There was a problem with one of the gates so the locks were temporarily out of use until Canal and River Trust arrived to fix.

Rural from the locks through Oakgrove until reaching the outskirts of Macclesfield.  It was a shame to see the Fools Nook Pub closed - it would have been a perfect stop but I soldiered on...there was occasional traffic heard from the nearby Leek Old Road.  I eventually reached Macclesfield and returned to the Puss In Boots Pub where a well deserved drink was bought for me.  There was the party cruising crew who I kept meeting on my walk enjoying some well deserved drinks - the crew was doing a round trip cruise from Bollington to the locks as part of a special family birthday celebration.  

I stayed at the pub quite a while; ordered a lovely meal and another well deserved drink and eventually walked down the hill to the station for my train back to Manchester and then a connecting one to Leeds...the train was delayed near Huddersfield for some considerable time and I've received some compensation which will come in handy for a future canal adventure.

Just the final miles to go from Congleton to Harding Woods Junction before completion!

Congleton to Hardings Wood Junction- 24th June 2017

Macclesfield Canal

I returned to Congleton to walk the remaining stretch of the Macclesfield Canal.  Got off at Congleton Railway Station I picked up where I left off last time.  Passing Dog Lane Aqueduct and the Wharf I walked towards Bridge 86 where I would make a short round side trip to Little Moreton Hall.  As the stretch was shorter than what I usually do I thought I would take the opportunity to check out the National Trust's property.   

Little Moreton Hall

The stretch was rural throughout once I left Congleton - the canal was pretty busy with boaters passing by and cruising towards Macclesfield and Marple Junction.  Leaving Bridge 86 I braved the thistles and nettles and walked down towards Little Moreton Hall.  I reached the moated house, built in the 16th Century, where I had lunch in its grounds and took photos.  I passed on looking inside the house and visiting its tea room as I wanted to finish my walk in good time so returned to the canal.

Rest of the walk was uneventful until I reached the Poole Aqueduct where the Trent and Mersey Canal passes underneath and reached Bridge 98, the final bridge on the Macclesfield Canal and where both canals meet at Hardings Wood Junction, via its somewhat isolated towpath.

I had a well deserved drink at The Blue Bell Pub.  This traditional award winning pub is renowned for its real ales and ciders.  After the pub I made my way to Kidsgrove Railway Station and stopped at Harecastle Tunnel (Northern Portal) on the way.  I was lucky to see a couple of boats in action coming out and going in.  I had chat with the friendly tunnel keeper, Derek, who gave me a map for the overland walk on the tunnel towards Stoke on Trent (a future walk in the planning).  Retraced my steps to the station for my train home.

Reaching Hardings Wood Junction means I have now completed walking the Macclesfield Canal.  It was my first time walking on the very small stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal and now look forward to future exciting adventures on the 93.5 mile canal.