Canal Boat — November 2017

canalboat.co.uk Canal Boat November 2017 51

so that once again, as an 1830s visitor

remarked...

‘From the top of this magnificent

aqueduct, the beholder gazes with fearful

astonishment on the river pouring beneath

over its rocky bed.’

Paralleled by an even higher railway

viaduct, the aqueduct leads straight into a

narrow and gloomy cutting which is all

that remains of the former Rose Hill

Tunnel. A wooded length beyond leads to

another tunnel which still survives: the

308-yard bore Hyde Bank might look wide

enough for two boats to pass, but isn’t – so

make sure it’s clear.

There’s no towpath, but walkers can

follow the path over the top – if you’re

heading north, bear left where the path

splits; if you’re going south, take the right

fork where it splits.

The canal is now within the eastern

fringes of the Manchester conurbation as

it passes through Romiley and Woodley,

but this isn’t at all obvious as it passes

through secluded wooded cuttings for

much of the way. A second tunnel at

Woodley does have a towpath; its roof

dips down noticeably once you’re

underground, so take chimneys and

anything else off the roof first.

The remaining length of the canal runs

alongside the River Tame, with some

surprisingly rural lengths including the

Haughton Dale Nature Reserve. But once

the canal reaches Hyde there’s no

disguising the fact that it’s passing

through an urban area, although a couple

of historic canal warehouses add

interest, and there are handy shops.

10

WATERSIDE

PUBS

Canal Boat’s pick of watering holes on the

Peak Forest and Ashton canals

Goyt Inn Bridge Street, Whaley Bridge.

01663 732710. 5 mins south from basin

along Canal Street and left. Friendly end-of-

terrace town local with real ale and garden

Navigation Bugsworth. 01663 732072.

By the upper basin. 18th century canal pub

with real ale (including guest beers), patio,

children’s play area and food

Soldier Dick Buxton Road, Furness Vale.

01663 611010. 5 mins south west from

Bridge 31 and right. Popular pub, with real ale,,

good value food, garden, occasional live music

Beehive Albion Road, New Mills. 01663

742087. 5 mins north east of Bridge 28.
        Triangular building on street corner with selection
        of real ales, upstairs whisky and cocktail bar,
        garden and occasional live music

RIng O’Bells Church Lane, Marple. 0161

427 2300. By Macclesfield Canal Bridge 1.

Stone-built pub with real ale, food, live music (Sat)

and brass band concerts summer Sun afternoons

Navigation Stockport Road, Marple.

0161 427 3817. West of Bridge 18. Busy

community local with real ale, food and outside

seating. Open mic music night every Tuesday

Duke of York Romiley. 0161 406 9988.

East of Bridge 14. Refurbished 18th century

village pub with real ale, restaurant food, garden.

Cheshire RIng Hyde. 07917 055629. By

Bridge 6. Named after the canal circuit,

friendly local with wide range of real ales and

cider. No regular food but curry night Thursday

Strawberry Duck Clayton. 0161 223

7180. By Ashton Canal Lock 13. Traditional
      exterior, moderm interior, real ale, garden

Jolly Angler Ducie Street, Manchester.

0161 236 5307. East of Ashton Canal

Bridge 1. Rare traditional city centre back-street

local with real ale, live folk and Irish music

Pub details are likely to change at short notice:

you are advised to phone ahead to be sure

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

4 MILES / NO LOCKS

DUKINFIELD

Crossing the 100ft high Marple Aqueduct

Surviving canal warehouse building in Hyde

16 deep locks make up the Marple flight

TO HUDDERSFIELD

8