English Rose Canal Boat Holidays Week 5

Cruise 5 - MACCLESFIELD TO LITTLEBOROUGH

Macclesfield Canal, Peak Forest Canal, Ashton Canal, Rochdale Canal

Day 1
Arrival and settling in.
We are moored in Macclesfield. We expect our guests to arrive at 4.00pm, but you may leave your cases with us earlier if you wish, and spend some time exploring the town.

Day 2
Macclesfield's tree-lined canal continues north through Bollington, passing through glorious open countryside with views of the hills all around. A 60' high embankment and 2 aqueducts carry the navigation across the valley, then through an isolated stretch, where the countryside is quite unspoilt. After another massive embankment and a tall aqueduct, we reach Marple, where the canal is 500' above sea level.
(11 miles, no locks)

Day 3
The 16 Marple locks carry the Peak Forest Canal down 215' towards Manchester through an unrivalled setting: an excellent combination of built-up area, parkland, tall trees and steep hillside. We will moor overnight in Ashton.
(8 miles, 16 locks, Marple Aqueduct, Hyde Bank Tunnel - 308 yards)

Day 4
From Ashton to Manchester is a short distance and the Ashton Canal passes through a densely built-up area, so we will set off early to get good moorings in Manchester, one of Britain's finest Victorian cities. You may wish to spend the remainder of the day in the city, exploring or shopping!
(6 miles, 18 locks)

Day 5
There is an opportunity for you to spend another day in Manchester if you wish while the crew cruise for a short distance to Failsworth, to cover 18 of the 34 locks in the ascent into the Pennines to Rochdale . We will pay for a taxi for you to 'catch us up' in Failsworth, where there is a collection of fine old mill buildings. Between here and Littleborough, the line of the canal has been designated an SSSI in recognition of its importance as a site for certain rare aquatic plants.
(4 miles, 18 locks)

Day 6
Between Failsworth and Rochdale, the canal gains height again, and the Pennines come into full view! There are fine, open views as we pass Castleton and head towards the cotton-spinning town of Rochdale, with a wealth of history and museums to visit, where we will moor for the night. The canal skirts the town, retaining its views of the Pennines stretching out ahead in a wide arc.
(8 miles, 16 locks, Edinburgh Way Tunnel - 121 yards)

Day 7
From Rochdale, we pass through a shallow cutting in open moorlands to arrive at the charming cluster of buildings at Clegg Hall - early 19th century weavers' cottages, an old mill and the newly renovated hall peep out from behind the trees. We will arrive in Littleborough, a bustling little town at the foot of the climb to Summit, the end of our cruise.
(4 miles, 3 locks)

Day 8
We will call you a taxi from the boat to the railway station where you can catch a train back to Macclesfield, if you have left your car there.