Page updated 25 October 2005
Based on mapping ©2001 Richard Fairhurst, Canal Boat & Inland Waterways
General Description
Ashton under Lyne
In spite of the fact that BW, on their South Pennine website, talk of the HNC starting at Portland Basin, historically, one travels from Dukinfield Junction (Portland Basin) eastwards, along a ½ mile stretch of the Ashton Canal, before arriving at the end on Junction with the Huddersfield Narrow Canal just below Lock 1W at Donkey Stone Wharf. The tail gates and tail gate paddles of this lock and Lock 2w are hydraulic and operated by windlass.
Above Lock 1W the canal passes through the former Whitelands Tunnel, long opened out, then negotiates the industrial, but not unpleasant, southern edge of Ashton. At times this section attracts local youngsters. Overnight mooring is not advised, but no problems have been reported with boats passing through.
Stalybridge
Once under a newly reconstructed road bridge and into Stalybridge, the scenery continues to be industrial, but again pleasant enough. The canal becomes less enclosed as Stalybridge is approached.
The Tame Aqueduct is unusual. The towpath continues over the original stone structure, whilst the channel is carried in a "temporary" iron trough installed when floods destroyed the original shortly after the canal opened. Passing through a short narrows, the remains of a long removed bridge, the channel turns left, under two bridges into Staley Wharf, the first reasonable overnight mooring on the canal.
At Staley Wharf you enter a different environment, the superbly restored section through Stalybridge. There is easy access to Somerfield and Tesco Supermarkets (below and above Lock 6W) and to other local shops. With good overnight moorings available near the 24 Hour Tesco store Lock 7W (half original, half new!) completes the restored section.
Navigational Notes
- Note all the remarks on the Navigation Notes page before embarking on a passage of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
- If planning to make a complete passage of the canal, you may also wish to read the Trip Reports page, which indicate some of the difficulties faced by early users of the restored canal.
- Locks 1W-2W have hydraulically operated tail gates, and require Leeds and Liverpool keys. (The information, from BW, on the Navigation Notes page appears inaccurate!)
Pubs and Restaurants
Stalybridge:
Station Buffet Bar (Platform 1, Railway Station, Stalybridge, SK15 1RF. Tel: 0161 303 0007 - Landlords: Sylvia Wood and John Hesketh)
The Station Buffet can be reached from immediately above Lock 6W. Head North 150yds to the river bridge. Turn left along Market Street, 400yds past Bus station and Palace Cinema. Continue straight on under railway bridge, rail station on left. Alternatively, from Staley Wharf below Lock 4w, walk northwards along Caroline Street and left along Market Street. It is privately-owned, has normal pub opening times (11-11; 12-10.30 Sun) and is listed in the Good Beer Guide. The interior is decorated with railway and other memorabilia. The atmosphere very friendly, and it normally has three permanent and four guest real ales as well as draught cider and foreign beers. Food is available lunch and evenings. Rated by a local as "by far the best " of the many pubs in Stalybridge.
The Q (Market St, Stalybridge, Cheshire, SK15 2AL. Tel: 0161 303 9157)
"A decent pub!" Hydes ales.
The Whitehouse (Water St, Stalybridge, Cheshire, SK15 2AG. Tel: 0161 303 2288)
"A decent pub!" Hydes ales.
Stanley Square Open Kitchen (Tel: 0161 304 9499)
An Indian takeaway. At the narrows, two bridges below the Wharf Tavern, head south 50yds to the main road, turn left and it is 20 yards on the left.
Wharf Tavern (South end of the tail bridge of lock 4W)
Details of beers served and style of pub required.
Sun Lok Chinese Meals and Fish & Chips (8 Acres Lane, Stalybridge. Tel: 0161 303 9749)
To the rear of Tesco. From immediately above Lock 6W, go 50yds south to the main road, turn left and 150yds on the left. Very good Chinese Take-away.
Other Comments
- Asda Tunnel
- It is possible to access Asda from the canal. The towpath rises up and passes through the Asda car park. Boats can be moored west of Cavendish Street Bridge (west of Asda) but are best not left unattended.
- Lock 5W-6W
- The three bridges between Locks 5W and 6W are close together with one narrow section running through all three and into Lock 6W. Two of the bridges are minor road bridges. The one in the middle is a pedestrianised street.
- Lock 6W
- It is not recommended to moor at Armentieres Square on a Friday or Saturday night due to noise from revellers leaving nearby night clubs. Mooring near Tesco seems to be satisfactory.
- Lock 6W-7W
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There are moorings alongside Tescos and other wide moorings in and just beyond Armentieres Square.
There's a Launderette just east of Mottram Road Bridge