The Ashton Canal offers a fascinating journey through both history and landscape, meandering through industrial Manchester and into the surrounding countryside. The canal, completed in 1796, was originally built to transport coal from the mines in Ashton-under-Lyne to Manchester, playing a significant role in the Industrial Revolution. Today, it stretches for about 6.7 miles (10.8 km), connecting the Rochdale Canal in Manchester at Ducie Street Junction to the Peak Forest Canal at Portland Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The Ashton Canal features 18 locks, which help boats navigate the gradual rise of about 118 feet (36 meters) between the two end points. These locks, particularly towards the Manchester end, are narrow and typical of the traditional British lock system, offering a glimpse into the canal’s historical use as a working waterway.
The canal is also linked to the River Medlock, which it crosses near the start of the route in Manchester. This connection adds to the intrigue of the canal, as you can see how the canal coexists with the river, occasionally running alongside it or crossing over via aqueducts.
Along the way, there are several interesting features. The Clayton Flight of Locks, a group of locks near Clayton, Manchester, is notable for its scenic views and the surrounding greenery, which contrast with the more urban sections of the canal. Additionally, at Fairfield Junction, there was once a branch canal that led to Droylsden and the Fairfield Moravian Settlement, a small religious community dating back to the 18th century, adding historical interest to the journey.
As the Ashton Canal approaches its terminus at Portland Basin, it opens up into a vibrant area where the canal meets the Peak Forest Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. This junction is a key point for boaters, with the Portland Basin Museum located nearby, housed in a restored 19th-century warehouse. The museum offers insight into the area’s industrial heritage and the role of canals in shaping local life.
The canal is now a popular route for leisure boaters, walkers, and cyclists, who enjoy its blend of industrial architecture and natural beauty, as well as its proximity to landmarks such as Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, which overlooks the canal in its early stretch through Manchester.
Canal Specification
| Max Boat Length | 70ft |
| Max Boat Width | 7ft |
| Number of Locks | 18 |
| Length | 6 Miles |
YouTube Videos
What to see some YouTube videos about the Ashton Canal
- Cruising the Full Length of the Ashton Canal In One Day!
- Bimble: Ashton Canal
- Ashton Canal – Stockport Branch
- The Ashton Canal
- On the Ashton Canal
River/Canal Route Planning
If you are looking for a canal/river route planner, we recommend Canal Plan, we use it to plan our routes, and then once we have a plan our maps are useful to find what else there is on the way