The Rochdale Canal is a magnificent waterway in the Pennines between Sowerby Bridge and Manchester

It climbs through 92 locks in its 33 mile journey from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorksire where it meets the Calder and Hebble navigation at the recently built Tuel Lock. This lock replaced the original locks 3 and 4 and is the deepest inland waterway lock in Britain with a drop of around 20 feet

It was engineered by William Jessop assisted by William Crossley. The act of parliament for its construction was passed in 1794 and ten years later it was open throughout.

The canal could accommodate Barges up to 14'-2'' beam and 72' length and was thus able to handle most types of northern inland trading craft. It required 8 reservoirs to feed its enormous appetite for water the most famous of which was to become 'Hollingworth Lake' where Victorian folk started the tradition of Saturday afternoon walks with their sweethearts.

The only part of the canal to have been in constant repair over the years was the connection between the Ashton canal and the Bridgewater canal known as the 'Rochdale nine' this formed part of the Cheshire Ring. The canal however has been steadily increasing in popularity and large sections are now navigable. Most of the navigable section is in Yorkshire but plans are afoot to make the whole of the waterway navigable.

Try these other sites for more information and pictures of the Rochdale Canal

Derek Parsons site on Rochdale Canal and More! Canal Roots, loads of info

See the Gallery link for more pictures