Bridgewater Canal
BRIDGEWATER CANAL
One of the first canals opened, the Bridgewater provided the inspiration for many other early waterways. Despite this its broad, straight course makes it appear much more recent than its mid-18th Century date. The canal forms an important part of the Cheshire Ring, and its Stretford & Leigh branch provides a link to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. At Worsley Delph the canal passes the former entrance to the Duke of Bridgerwater’s remarkable network of over 40 miles of underground mine canals, while at Barton it crosses the Manchester Ship Canal via the unique Barton Swing Aqueduct.24 miles no locksMaximum dimensions: length 72ft, beam 14ft 9in
