Page updated 2 December 2003 

The Macclesfield Canal

Hardings Wood Junction

Trent and Mersey Canal

Bridge 90 N97#5p122 N2k#5p122

The bridge is roughly mid-way between Bridges 91 and 89.  It is a swing bridge, usually left open.

Bridge 89 N97#5p122 N2k#5p122

By the bridge there's a sign, to The Three Horseshoes, a 100 yds away and, according to the sign, the "best pub in the village".

Bridge 87 N97#5p122 N2k#5p122

By the bridge there's a sign on the bridge for a shop and off-licence 300yds away.

Bridge 86 N2k#5p123 N03#5p131

The long running dispute between the land owner and the local authority about access to Little Moreton Hall via the footpath over the bridge has been resolved.  The barbed wire, which prevented access to the footpath from the canal towpath, has been removed. The advice (in the 2000 and 2003 editions) to "Moor by Bridge 85, walk south along the lane, cross Bridge 86 and follow the footpath" can now be withdrawn.  The walk will take about 25 minutes. However, it is partly on a narrow path at the side of fields with nettles and brambles. Bare legs and arms are vulnerable!

Bridge 79-80 N97#5p125 N2k#5p125 N03#5p133

Astbury village does not have a Post Office (although the 97 edition says it does and the 2003 edition mapping indicates one on the main road north of the village). The stores is about a further 3/4 mile beyond the village with address in Congleton. It is a garage/shop called "Texaco Porters." A long walk!

Congleton

Bridge 77 N97#5p124 N2k#5p124

The winding hole near the bridge is usable only by shallow-draughted craft.

Bridge 76 N97#5p124 N2k#5p124

The moorings between bridges 75 and 76 are handier for the shops than the Wharf. (See Navigational Note.)

Bridge 75 P2kCR#2

If you are disappointed in the prospect of failing to spot Joderell Bank (See the note for Bridge 53), a local reports that you might be interested in admiring the beauty of the Orange masts on the top of Oakes' Mill, by the bridge, known locally as "The Bedstead".

Bridge 72 N97#5p124 N2k#5p124

The winding hole near the bridge is usable only by shallow-draughted craft.

Bridge 67 N97#5p124 N2k#5p124

There is a water point on the off-side between Bridges 67 and 68.

Bridge 53 P2kCR#3

The Joderell Bank symbol is severely misplaced. It's about eight miles away, nearer the Trent and Mersey at Middlewich.

The BT tower symbol is also misplaced. The tower is 1.5 miles from the canal, mostly uphill, on the other side of the A523. It is one of several similar concrete towers, built by the Post Office in the late 1960s. It has various masts on the top and equipment inside, nothing like the BT Tower in London, and not open to the public.

Bosley Top Lock N97#5p127 N2k#5p127

The sanitary station, rubbish facilities and water point at Bosley top lock are closed while a new services block is built. (See update for Bridge 49)

Bridge 53 N97#5p127

There is a Water Point north of Locketts Bridge.

Bridge 49 N97#5p127 N2k#5p127

The better moorings are on the North side of the bridge.

There is a temporary sanitary station near the bridge with Refuse Disposal Point near the bridge, while the facilities at Bosley Top Lock remain closed.

Bridge 48A N97#5p127 N2k#5p127

This is unnumbered in the 2000 edition and shown as "Pontoon Bridge (open)" in the 1997 edition.

Bridge 46 N97#5p127 N2k#5p127

There is a winding hole roughly mid-way between here and Bridge 45.

Macclesfield

Bridge 37 N97#5p129 N2k#5p129

Note that the text (on p130) for Peak Forest Cruisers points out there are water points on both sides of Bridge 37.  (In the 2000 edition its Boatyard symbol, at Buxton Road Wharf, is missing.)

There's a useful shop just east of Bridge 37.  Although it's called the "Beer Baron", it actually sells other provisions.

Bridge 26 N97#5p128 N2k#5p128

The Vale Inn, down the road from the bridge, has closed.

Bridge 25 N97#5p132 N2k#5p132

Moor between Bridges 24 and 25 for the Windmill Inn

Bridge 15 N97#5p133 N2k#5p133

There's a new BW water point at Brownshills Bridge and a Refuse Disposal Point north of Constellation Cruisers in a corner of the car park, but the entrance is from the canal.

Constellation Cruisers (which has replaced both Barton Boat Services and Midships Marine Supplies in the 1997 edition) has pump-out facilities.

Marple

Bridge 2 N97#5p134 N2k#5p134

The Ring O'Bells, near the bridge, does not serve food on Mondays.

Marple Junction N97#5p135 N2k#5p135

Top Lock Marine is closed on Mondays.

Peak Forest Canal