Moorings on the Bridgewater Canal

The Bridgewater Canal holds a special place in British history as the first true commercial canal — built without following a natural watercourse, opened in 1761 to carry coal from the Duke of Bridgewater's mines at Worsley into Manchester. Today it is one of the most popular leisure canals in England, running 67 kilometres from Castlefield in Manchester through Stretford, Sale, and Altrincham to Runcorn on the Mersey, with a branch to Leigh connecting to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Unlike most canals, the Bridgewater is privately owned and managed by Peel Waters, and mooring arrangements differ from CRT waterways. Castlefield, at the Manchester end, is one of the most atmospheric canal mooring locations in England, surrounded by Victorian railway viaducts, bars, and museums. The canal also connects to the Manchester Ship Canal at Stretford.