People often call the Bridgewater Canal the first true canal in Britain. And, just to be clear, it is nowhere near the town of Bridgewater in Somerset. This North-West canal links Runcorn to Leigh along a 39-mile stretch. It provides a brilliant day out for walkers to cyclists, anglers, paddlers…

River Mersey

We all know you can get a ferry across the River Mersey, thanks to the 1965 classic, but you can also paddle it. The Mersey is an iconic river in the North West, and one of Liverpool's pride and joys. It is 70 miles long, rising in West Yorkshire and…

Manchester Ship Canal

Small crafts are not usually permitted on the Manchester Ship Canal. It is still used as a busy shipping canal and large commercial barges and small cruise ships are common along the route. A licence is required to paddle here but it is not included in British Canoeing membership. Please…

Rochdale Canal

Restored and reopened by volunteers in 2002, the Rochdale canal links Manchester to Sowerby Bridge on a cross-Pennine route. The canal stretches 32 miles in total, with a whopping 91 locks on the stretch… but the steep climb of the canal is worth it for the views, so we’re told!…

Ashton Canal

Travelling right to the heart of Manchester, this stretch of the Ashton Canal climbs 18 locks along it’s 6.8 miles from Ashton-under-Lyne to the city centre. A largely industrial stretch, it’s a wonder you can paddle along it at all. In fact, if a group of volunteers hadn’t clubbed together…

Peak Forest Canal

Described as one of the most scenic canals in the country, the Peak Forest canal is 15 miles of paddle-heaven. It flows past mill workers cottages, lush woodland and open meadows. The canal is a route popular with nature lovers for its variety of flora and fauna along the route.…

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

A paddle through the pennines! The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is one of those places you HAVE to paddle if you’re into dramatic scenery. Cutting through the rugged hills of the pennies, and weaving through wooded countryside and past historic mills. The canal is a ‘must’ for canal boaters and should…

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

One of the most successful canals of its time, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was very much used as a cargo carrying canal right up until its last haul in 1972. Because of this, the canal is in pretty good nick when it comes to paddling along it. It stretches…

Macclesfield Canal

A mostly green, lush, rural canal, the Macclesfield canal runs for 26 miles connecting the Peak Forest Canal to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Be aware! If you’re planning to connect to the Peak Forest Canal as you’ll be met with the flight of locks known as Marple Lock. 16…

Trent and Mersey Canal

The Trent and Mersey canal is one of the longest canals in the country. Stretching 93 miles from Cheshire, through Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it’s a stretch that can be paddled from many different access points. There’s something for everyone along the Trent and Mersey canal. And, like many of the…

River Weaver

A river in the north west of England, the River Weaver runs for 20 miles from Winsford to Weston Point near Runcorn. It's a beautiful spot to paddle as the seasons change, with tree lined banks turning a whole host of colours through the seasons. The original river has been…

Shropshire Union Canal

Measuring 66 miles with 47 locks, the Shropshire Union canal makes its way from Wolverhampton to Ellesmere Port. Much of the canal cutting through the beautiful Cheshire countryside as it goes. The canal is isolated and rural but charming at the same time and with no town for often miles…

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