The Macclesfield Canal is one of the most beautiful and versatile canals on the English Waterways. Stunning scenery, 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.