Menorca team meet up for a social paddle on the Macclesfield Canal

Finding a time when we could all meet up to make plans for the trip was proving difficult – in the end, we opted for a Sunday evening and met in Adlington by the canal at 4 pm. This was a new area for some, but was the bottom of Rachaels backgarden and a regular training ground for her. It was beautiful, and a couple of hours on the canal gave us time to chat and get to know each other. On our return, we enjoyed excellent food and chatted a little more around the kitchen table. Plans made we all departed for home but the big takeaway was that there is always somewhere new to paddle 🙂

Macclesfield Canal is a 26-mile (42 km) scenic waterway in east Cheshire, renowned for its elegant stone architecture and rural views of the Pennines. It forms a key part of the popular Cheshire Ring cruising route, connecting the Peak Forest Canal at Marple to the Trent and Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove. 

Latest Updates (March 2026)

• Navigation: The canal is currently open and navigable.
• Recent Repairs: A major £350,000 repair project was completed in July 2025 to fix a significant breach and a subsequent sinkhole near the Bosley Lock Flight.
• Maintenance: While fully operational, some sections remain shallow; boaters are advised to check the Canal & River Trust notices for real-time updates on water levels or minor works. 

Key Features & Sights

• Bosley Lock Flight: The canal’s only significant locks are a flight of 12 at Bosley, which drop the water level by 118 feet (36m).
• “Snake” (Roving) Bridges: Famous for its elegant “snake” or turnover bridges, designed to allow towing horses to cross sides without being unhitched.
• Victorian Heritage: The route is lined with repurposed historic textile mills, such as Clarence Mill in Bollington and Hovis Mill in Macclesfield.
• Elevated Views: As one of the highest navigable canals in England (reaching 518 feet above sea level), it offers expansive views across the Cheshire Plain