Manchester to Marple
(Bridgewater, Rochdale, Ashton and Lower Peak forest Canals)
£1140pp (£2280 per charter)
Cruise 6. 18th -23rd May 2026 (5 nights)

After a couple of nights turn around (hopefully at Stretford Marina), Ellis will tie up in Castlefield Visitor moorings if there's space, ready for new guests to arrive.  If we can't get in there, we'll either be up the arm or loitering near the trip boats... it's safest to text or email on arrival day for confirmation.

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Guests will arrive approximately 1.30pm on day one and after an introductory blah blah (and most probably glass of something fizzy) our guests are free to explore for the afternoon... This trip begins with a baptism of fire for newbies as we need to get through the infamous 'Rochdale 9' - something perhaps best tackled once settled in... ergo, a relaxing night, moored in Castlefield where guests are welcome to wander off and explore Manchester either before/after dinner - or both.

 

Once we've got the Rochdale 9 under our belt we'll need to look at the time and decide whether to push on (and make it a long day up the Ashton 21 to Droylsden) or moor either alongside in Piccadilly. Chances are we'll TRY Telford basin to moor over night (behind a security gate) but if we have to go alongside in Piccadilly it'll be fine... better here than at the top of the infamous ROCHDALE 9  - it'll all depend on how awful the 9 were!

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The  general aim is to make it up as we go along but we'll need a bit of structure  to get passed 'less salubrious areas' before the scrotes appear!

 

We might have to put in a long day or 2  as when writing (Jan 25) Marple locks are on restricted working hours due to structure failure (or in my opinion, CRT failure but lets not go there)... we’ll see how we get on.

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If there's space just at the bottom of Marple locks after the Aqueduct, we might moor for the night to allow a photo opportunity walk - it not, we'll continue up the flight and have a little detour along the Upper Peak forest if we end up in Marple too early.

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Pubs on route include;  The Wharf in Castlefield Basin,Ring o bells, Navigation, The Spread Eagle and  The Kings Head 

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NB – pub visits are NOT compulsory … just encouraged by Capt. Ellis.

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Total distance is 15 miles and 43 locks . There are 3 moveable bridges of which 1 is usually left open; 9 small aqueducts or underbridges and 3 tunnels (Deansgate Tunnel, Woodley Tunnel (176 yards long) and Hyde Bank Tunnel (308 yards long)  and 1 major aqueduct (Marple Aqueduct (105 yards long).

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Marple can be a tricky place to moor so even though our trip ends after breakfast on the final morning, we may have ended up either along the Upper Peak forest or down the Macclesfied... ergo, maybe a short chug will be required to Marple Junction to drop guests off by around 9.30.

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