Boating along the Bridgewater Canal

Today's Bridgewater Canal is entirely lock-free, and offers a relaxed cruising environment for the boater. Once thriving with commercial traffic, it arguably sparked the waterway revolution but is nonetheless broader and deeper than many of the Midland canals that followed it.

The canal route is Y-shaped. The main line runs from Runcorn and the Trent & Mersey Canal to Waters Meeting in west Manchester. One section then continues to Castlefield, in the heart of the city, where it joins the Rochdale Canal: the other heads north to Worsley, site of the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines, and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Leigh. There are visitor moorings at Castlefield.

Worsley is the most scenic spot on the Bridgewater Canal system, but the Barton Swing Aqueduct is also an essential visit for the dramatic views along the Manchester Ship Canal - especially if you are lucky enough to see the aqueduct swing to allow a ship to pass.

Though the Bridgewater attracts few visitors in its own right, its position as a key part of the Cheshire Ring and a link to the Leeds & Liverpool ensures it remains busy with boats.

The Bridgewater Canal is run by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which issues its own licences. However, under a reciprocal arrangement, British Waterways licence-holders can make use of the canal free of charge for a limited period each year.

British Waterways are to extend (for a limited period only) the reciprocal arrangement for Bridgewater Canal licence holders. The current reciprocal arrangement between the Manchester Ship Canal Company and British Waterways permits Bridgewater Canal licence holders to cruise as far as Burscough on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal without further charge for periods not exceeding seven days. The reciprocal limit is to be extended to include the section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Burscough and the Liverpool Link with effect from the 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2012. The Liverpool link is due to open in early 2008 and will be available to pleasure craft following its official opening. Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact the Company on 0161 629 8266

The canal has always supported a healthy number of boat clubs and has a busy boating community all its own.

Bridge & lock opening times

Find detailed information on local services, moorings and stoppages by using the drop down menu on the left.