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So much to see and do…

The Bridgewater Canal flows by lots of popular attractions making it the perfect route to a fantastic day out.

There are a number of well-known tourist attractions to be found along the Bridgewater Canal. Travelling along the canal is the perfect opportunity to visit these attractions as part of great day out.

Astley Green Colliery Museum

Astley Green Colliery Museum features a steam winding engine and headgear as well as a collection of 28 colliery locomotives, the largest collection of its type in the UK.

Address: Higher Green Lane, Astley Green, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 7JB

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Worsley Delph

Worsley Delph is very important to the history of the Bridgewater Canal. This is the entrance to the underground canal in the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines where coal was brought out of and from here travelled along the Canal to the local towns and cities.

Address: The Delph, Worsley M28 2GD

Attractions

Barton Aqueduct

This moveable aqueduct carries the Bridgewater Canal along the Manchester Ship Canal. It is moveable to allow large vessels to use the Ship Canal. The Aqueduct is a Grade II listed building and is considered a significant feat of Victorian civil engineering.

Address: Barton Road, Salford

Attractions

The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre is the North West’s premier shopping and leisure destination with an array of tempting stores, restaurants, cafes and bars as well as a 20-screen cinema 

Address: The Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8AA

traffordcentre

RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS Garden Bridgewater is one of Peel L&P’s most significant legacy projects which secures the future of the Duke of Bridgewater’s historic estate. 

The garden can be accessed directly from the towpath in Worsley. Here’s a useful link for cyclists and walkers looking to access RHS Garden Bridgewater: Walking and Cycling Links to RHS Garden Bridgewater • Salford City Council 

The 154-acre site in the grounds of Worsley New Hall, which opened in May 2021, is the fifth RHS garden. The project has been enabled by Peel L&P as the Bridgewater Estate landowners and Salford City Council. 

RHS Garden Bridgewater is part of the RHS’ wider 10-year £100+ million investment programme to make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. For more information, please visit: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

Attractions

Museum of Science & Industry

From the world’s first industrial city to 24-hour party capital, MOSI takes you on a journey through Manchester’s heritage with sights, sounds and even smells! You can see what it was like to work in a cotton mill during one of our textile demonstrations, see one of the world’s largest collections of working steam mill engines or even venture into a Victorian sewer…

Address: Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP

mosi.org.uk

Attractions

Walton Park

Walton Park in Sale, Trafford is a 12.5 acres park with beautiful flowerbeds, shrubs, mature trees and also features bowling greens and a pavilion, tennis courts, a football pitch, play areas and a miniature railway.

Address:  Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ

Walton Park, Sale, Manchester

Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey is part of the National Trust and feature the Dunham Massey Hall which is set in a magnificent deer park. Dunham Massey also features beautiful gardens, including Britain’s largest winter garden and a striking rose garden.

Address:  Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ

nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Attractions

Walton Hall & Gardens

Walton Hall and Gardens welcomes you to the former home of Lord and Lady Daresbury and Warrington’s premier destination. Set within acres of tranquil and idyllic parkland, steeped in local history, this has been a popular destination for nearly three generations.

Whether it’s a family day out, a corporate conference or the wedding of your dreams, the Walton Hall team are happy to help!

Address: Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6SN

waltonhallandgardens.com

Photo credit: Andy Gilbert

Attractions

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens in Runcorn is a wonderful day out for all the family. Norton Priory is the most excavated monastic site in Europe and the museum tells its story from its founding in 1134 to its closure and then later history as a manor house and estate. The stunning 18th Century Wall Garden features an abundance of wildlife enjoying the wonderful rock garden, herb garden, vegetable gardens and an orchard and the lovely Rose Walk.

Address: Tudor Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SX

nortonpriory.org

Attractions

The Brindley

The Brindley is the main centre for arts and entertainment in Runcorn.  There is a gallery space and craft displays at The Brindley as well as a large theatre, a studio, a dark room and a digital imaging room. The café overlooks the Bridgewater Canal.

Address: High Street, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1BG

thebrindley.org.uk

Attractions

TraffordCity

TraffordCity Manchester is a vibrant city within a city, a unique destination where you can be whatever you want to be….whether you love to play, shop, eat or be entertained – TraffordCity is the place you can indulge your passion. 

Whether your visit is for a family day out, fun with friends or colleagues, a weekend away, for business or just some ‘me’ time doing something you love, TraffordCity has got it covered. Find out more: TraffordCity

Attractions

Trafford Palazzo

Trafford Palazzo is the place for everyday adventurers. The shopping mall that’s everything you never expected. Where your senses never stop feasting. And where you’ll see and do things that you won’t find anywhere else. Where will your adventures take you? 

With direct access to the centre from the Bridgewater Canal, Trafford Palazzo is home to exciting leisure and high-street brands including Primark, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE, Silentnight, Homesense, Natuzzi and Next Home. Find out more: Trafford Palazzo

Attractions

Coming Soon

Therme Manchester

The UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, Therme Manchester will be an immersive experience that benefits the physical and mental wellbeing of all those who visit. Find out more: www.thermemanchester.co.uk

Modern Surf

A £60m surfing lagoon is coming to TraffordCity! It is hoped surfers will be riding the waves at the venue near the Trafford Centre by 2023.

The site, off Barton Dock Road, will also have a cafe, pop-up beach bars, surf shop, bouldering space and fitness zone. Find out more: www.traffordcity.co.uk/modernsurf

Sale Waterside Arts Centre

Waterside is a thriving and vibrant arts venue in the heart of Sale in Trafford, Greater Manchester.  Comprising a theatre, art galleries, studios and workspaces, Waterside is an important regional hub for both performance and visual art.

1 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF

The Stubborn Mule Brewery

Come and visit one of Manchester’s few real neighbourhood breweries.

Based just off the Bridgewater Canal in one of Altrincham’s residential neighbourhoods, Timperley, Stubborn Mule Brewery can be easily accessed via the Canal if you’re on foot, bike or boat (dogs are welcome). The brewery is also easily accessible via Metrolink (5 mins walk from Timperley or Navigation Road) or bus (263 from Manchester to Altrincham).


Stubborn Mule’s new home at Unit 1 Skelton Road opened at the end of 2022 (after a move from just down the road) and features a fresh brewing area and a newly refurbished taproom & shop.

The taproom bar and seating allow the brewery to showcase its core range of beers and new releases. The brewery team also hold regular tasting events and tap days onsite. An independent and family run microbrewery, Ed, Jason and the team love welcoming people to show what they get up to.

The brewery produces handcrafted, modern beers, all of which are cask, keg and can conditioned. The beers are all unfiltered, unpasteurised and in the main vegan friendly.

A regular in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide the brewery uses a very traditional and in some places manual process but their outlook is that of a professional modern brewery. Their weekend tap days typically include street food onsite but do feel free to contact the guys at Stubborn Mule to confirm opening times and takeaway availability. Opening times are also published via their social
media and website.

The Bridgewater Way

Regenerating the canalside for walkers and cyclists.


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Boating

From colourful canal boats to day boat hire and pleasure cruises.

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Walking

Ramble the length of the canal or take a leisurely waterside stroll – there’s something for everyone.

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Cycling

The Bridgewater Canal welcomes cyclists of all ages and abilities.

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Fishing

There are a number of fishing clubs which have a licence to fish on various stretches of the Canal.

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Food & Drink

There are plenty of pubs and restaurants which back on to, or are very close to the Bridgewater Canal.

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Attractions

The Bridgewater Canal flows by lots of popular attractions making it the perfect route to a fantastic day out.

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Location

The Bridgewater Canal is a 65km (39 mile) canal stretching from Runcorn to Leigh in the North West of England.

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Terms & Conditions

Guidelines for all users of the canal from boat owners and fishermen to walkers and cyclists.

LEARN MORE

Latest from Instagram

Summer colours along the Bridgewater Canal 🌷🌞 August is right around the corner and hopefully it will bring sun and blue skies so we can enjoy warm walks along the waterside. 📸: @leahwhitehorse001
Happy Monday everyone! We hope you all have a lovely week 🌥️✨ 📸: @jobo_photos
Peaceful evening walks along the Bridgewater Canal >> ☁️😮‍💨 Nothing beats a long walk at the end of a busy week, so make time for you this weekend and head out for a stroll along the water's edge. 📸: @drwilli59
Spice up your Monday with watersports along the Bridgewater Canal! 🛶⛅ Why not get a @British.Canoeing licence that permits Canoes, Kayaks and SUP's to travel up and down the Bridgewater Canal free of charge. 📸 : @_jaderauhl
Cheeeeeese... 📸🧀 We found this photo in our gallery and just had to share it. It's made our week! The Bridgewater Canal is the perfect place to take your pooch this summer, come rain or shine ⛅
Taking a dip 🦆💧 We love seeing your photos of the wildlife you find along the Bridgewater Canal. Next time you're visiting, snap some pics and send them to us! 📸: @geembailey
Happy Monday 🌤️✨ Sending you peaceful and positive vibes to get you through this week. 📸: @monicasphotographs

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