Castlefield Canal Walk

14.3 miles (23 km)

This walk follows a section of the Bridgewater Canal Way from the Castlefield Basin to the lovely village of Lymm. The route runs for just over 14 miles, following the towpath west from the city centre of Manchester to rural Cheshire.
Opened in 1761 to transport coal from the Duke of Bridgewater's mines at Worsley, the canal played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution and remains one of the country's most historically important inland waterways.
Leaving Castlefield Basin, the route passes through a fascinating mix of regenerated docklands, historic warehouses, converted mills and modern waterside developments before entering quieter suburban stretches through Stretford, Sale and Altrincham.... Along the way the towpath passes elegant stone bridges, traditional locks and attractive lengths of tree-lined canal where narrowboats, ducks, swans, herons and kingfishers are regular sights.
Beyond Altrincham the surroundings become increasingly rural, with open farmland, meadows and woodland replacing the urban landscape. Long, peaceful stretches of canal lead into the village of Lymm, one of Cheshire's most attractive destinations. The historic village is known for its cobbled streets, sandstone buildings, independent shops and cafés, while nearby Lymm Dam provides additional woodland trails around a picturesque lake on the edge of the village.
You can continue your walking around Castlefield on the Castlefield National Trust Railway Walk.