Messing about by the Water! by Katie James

We live in an area surrounded by a large and often under utlised canal network. Canal's are not just a stretches of water which was used to support industry and now only enjoyed by those who like to live and holiday on the water, they are also a fantastic place to explore and enjoy as a family. They offer a gentle stroll or more energetic walk and are a great place to cycle as tow paths are flat. There is plenty of wildlife to look out with more than 60 different species spotted in a recent survey of waterway wildlife, the hedgerows and banks are home to a large variety of wildlife and woodland creatures, and lets not forget the many beautiful canal boats you'll find moored alongside.

The Cheshire Canal System (Cheshire Ring)

The Cheshire Canal System is a circular canal route that takes in the whole of the Macclesfield canal and parts of the Trent & Mersey, Bridgewater, Rochdale, Ashton and Peak Forest Canal. It claims to be the oldest cruising ring on Britain's waterways the route is 97 miles long and has 92 locks. It passes through the beautiful Cheshire countryside and the heart of Manchester, climbs into the Pennies entering the Peak District towards Whaley Bridge and down towards the river Mersey. It also passes by the Historic Anderton Boat Lift at Northwich sometimes known as the Cathedral of the Canals. The Thomas Telford designed lift was used to lower boats from the Trent and Mersey Canal to the River Weaver below. (www.andertonboatlift.co.uk)

The canal system has a towpath along its entire length making it a perfect place to enjoy country walk or family cycle. There are walks by the canal between Altrincham and Stockton Heath and between Northenden and Stockport some of which form part of the Trans-Pennine trail. There is a gentle 3 mile stroll around Lymm Dam and you could also enjoy a walk along the Bridgewater canal between Lymm and Dunham Massey. The Macclesfield Canal is another great place to explore; the Middlewood way is a 10 mile traffic free route for cyclists and walkers that follows the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple railway and for much of it's length runs close to the Macclesfield canal. Also worth a visit are the Marple Locks, a set of 16 working locks connecting the upper and lower peak forest canal.

Manchester's Canals

Manchester's canals once bought cargo from all over the world to the industrial North West. A lovely way to explore the city centre is to walk along the canal which takes you past the many hidden treasures of the city's industrial past. There is an easy 2-3 hour walk starting and finishing at Manchester Piccadilly. It follows the Rochdale Canal taking in Deansgate Lock and Castlefield an area designated Britain's first Urban Heritage Park to the end of the Rochdale and the start of the Bridgewater canal.

There is also the 3 mile long Salford Heritage Trail which takes you around Salford Quays that used to be the terminal docks for the Port of Manchester, and takes the Lowry Centre and the Salford Quays Heritage site for more details and a map log on to www.waterscape.com or drop in to the Manchester Visitor Information Centre. Between April and September you can take a Cruise along the 35 mile stretch of Manchester Ship canal between Salford Quays and Liverpool (www.merseyferries.co.uk)

For more information go to : www.waterscape.com. There is also an educational on-line resource www.wow4water.net where you can find fun activities for children as well as maps and trails, information about the wildlife that can be found, the history of canals and water safety.