Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
36 Peak Forest Canal
Distance
23km from Buxworth to Dukinfield Junction
Highlights
Marple lock flight and Possett Bridge
Marple Aqueduct and railway viaduct
Navigation Authority
Canal & River Trust
Canal Society
Marple Locks Heritage Society
www.marplelocks.org.uk
OS 1:50,000 Sheets
109 Manchester
110 Sheffield & Huddersfield
The Peak Forest Canal must have the most inviting name of any of our canals. Anything it
lacks in the way of forest these days is compensated for by peaks, particularly on the upper
section.
Designed by Benjamin Outram, it was opened in 1800 to service the limestone quarries at
Doveholes. Although the upper end of the canal is one of the highest parts of the British canal
system still in operation, it did not reach all the way to the quarries. In 1799, the 10km horse-
drawn Peak Forest Tramway was opened to connect the two. A vast complex of wharfs was
constructed at Buxworth or Bugsworth, as it was called before the inhabitants changed the
name. The wharves are located around the Navigation Inn. The area with its limekilns was
handling 600t of limestone and lime daily in the 1880s. The tramway was closed in 1926.
The Whaley Bridge Arm provided a connection with the Cromford & High Peak Railway
and thence to the River Trent.
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