The Cheshire Ring

The Cheshire Ring, from Aqueduct Marina comprises of the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, The Trent and Mersey Canal, the Macclesfield Canal, The Peak Forest Canal, the Ashton Canal, the Rochdale canal, and the Bridgewater Canal, before rejoining the Trent and Mersey Canal at Preston Brook.

The total distance is approximately 107 miles and 96 locks with 5 tunnels. It passes through a variety of different scenery, from the lower hills of the Peak District National Park through the City of Manchester past the Manchester City stadium and the upmarket areas of Deansgate and Castlefield.

It can be traversed either clockwise or anticlockwise, most seem to go anti-clockwise to put "Heartbreak Hill", as it was called by the working boaters, behind them. This section of 22 locks in 6 miles, will certainly improve your locking technique and give you a healthy appetite.

The Cheshire Ring can be done in a week with but will require some 9 hours a day cruising time.

A rough cruising guide (assuming a Saturday to Saturday) booking would be:-

Saturday:- Handover and cruise down to Middlewich, depending on time, an overnight stop in Middlewich or continue on and start Heartbreak Hill,

Sunday:- Resume Heartbreak Hill and on up to Rhode Heath, (15 miles and 21 Locks from Aqueduct)

Monday- From Rhode Heath up to Bosley Locks, aiming to stop at Bosley on Monday Evening. (14 miles and 21 locks)

Tuesday:- From Bosley onto the Peak Forest Canal, stopping at Marple bottom Lock on Tuesday evening.(17 miles and 19 locks)

Wednesday:- On to the Rochdale Canal, stopping at David Street overnight.(13 miles and 22 locks)

Thursday:- Back onto the Trent and Mersey at Preston Brook and Dutton or Lodge Lane by evening.(26 miles and 6 locks)

Friday:- Still on the Trent and Mersey back to Middlewich, perhaps with time permitting on to the Shropshire Union and back towards Aqueduct to avoid an early start on Saturday

Saturday:- Back to Aqueduct and home.(20 miles and 7 locks from Lodge Lane)

Of course these timings are only approximate, You may wish to stop off in Manchester for a few hours shopping or perhaps visit the Anderton Boat Lift, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us we are here to help .