Macclesfield Canal
A guide to the Macclesfield Canal and narrowboat hire on the Macclesfield Canal
The Macclesfield Canal itself:
Cruising Hours: This route consists of 52.384 miles, 24 locks and 0 tunnels. Which will take 3 days, 5 hours and 5 minutes when travelling for 7 hours per day at our default speeds.
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Hire Boats for the Macclesfield Canal..
Below you'll see the available hire narrowboats for this canal.
Can't find the right boat? Not sure which one to choose?
Fill out our short form, tell us what you're looking for and we'll send you our suggestions. Or call us on 02045781435 to speak with one of the team.
Can't find the right boat? Not sure which one to choose?
Fill out our short form, tell us what you're looking for and we'll send you our suggestions. Or call us on 02045781435 to speak with one of the team.
More about Macclesfield Canal Boat Hire
The Macclesfield Canal is one of the most beautiful and versatile canals on the English Waterways. Stunning scenery, including views of the Cheshire Plain towards Manchester, bustling towns and only 13 locks make this canal perfect for beginners and experienced boaters alike.
Situated in beautiful scenery among the rolling Cheshire plain and hills of the Peak District National Park, the Macclesfield Canal is one of the most versatile and tranquil canals in England. Starting in Kidsgrove, the canal makes its way among rich pastures past historic places, such as Little Moreton Hall, Mow Cop, and Bosley Cloud. Pretty towns, such as Congleton, Macclesfield, and Bollington, give the area an interesting flair. Apart from a stop lock just north of Kidsgrove, the Bosley lock flight provides the only locks on the whole of the Macclesfield Canal. Delve into history with a visit to the Silk Museum in Macclesfield and wander along cobbled Church Street. Hillwalkers will love the footpaths that crisscross the countryside, with lots of them starting right at the towpath. A perfect example is Higher Poynton, which provides several footpaths into the National Trust estate of Lyme Park. The Middlewood Way, a traffic-free route that connects the towns of Macclesfield and Marple and is never far away from the canal, is another highlight of this waterway.
If you can't find the deal you are looking for or have any questions about holidays on the Macclesfield Canal or any other canals, we are happy to help please get in touch on 02045781435 or contact us by e-mail and we will be glad to help.
Macclesfield Canal Facts
Location: North England
Length: 26.25 miles
Locks: 13 (Bosley flight & one stop lock)
Lock type: narrow
Time to cruise:
FAQs about Macclesfield canal boat hire
Our holidays require no previous bating experience, but you may have some questions.
Where can we start our Macclesfield Canal Boat Hire?
We have 2 hire bases from which you could enjoy a cruise along the beautiful Macclesfield canal. Our Stone base is a 9-hour cruise away from Hall Green Stop Lock, the start of the Macclesfield Canal and our Beeston, Cheshire base is 19 hours away. If you'd like to see all of the Macclesfield Canal we would recommend at least a 1 week hire from Stone or a 2 week hire from Beeston.
How many locks are on the Macclesfield canal?
There are 13 locks in total on the Macclesfield Canal this includes the 12 locks at the Bosley Lock Flight and a single stop lock at hall green where the Macclesfield Canal and Trent & Mersey Canals meet. If you do an out-and-back route you'll work a lock a total of 26 times, 13 times on the way out and 13 times on the way back.
How long is the Macclesfield Canal
The Macclesfield Canal is 26 miles long and runs from Hall Green to Marple Junction.
Is day boat hire available?
We are focused on overnight holiday hire, however you can hire a boat for a day on the Macclesfield canal and we would reccomend Bollington Bike and Boats for day hire on the macclesfield canal.
Which canal boat hire routes could we do that include the Macclesfield Canal?
Probably the most popular route is the Cheshire Ring, you can also do a route to Bugsworth Basin on the Peak Forest Canal which takes in the full length of the Macclesfield Canal such as Stone to Bugsworth Basin or Beeston to Bugsworth Basin alternatively you could turn at the end of the Macclesfield Canal at Marple.