Narrowboat Bacchus: Northern Section of the Macclesfield Canal

The weather this year seems to be taking the same course as last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues to rain for the rest of the summer. We woke this morning to find, yet again, that it was raining and our planned visit to Little Moreton Hall was off. We sat it out for the rest of the day; tomorrow we would chug to Congleton, try the shops, and then head up the 12 Bosley Locks.

Approaching Bosley Locks

Approaching Boswell Locks

Waiting our turn - Boswell bottom lock

Morning of Tuesday 14^th and as the forecast was for rain in the afternoon we decided to skip Congleton and head for Macclesfield which turned out to be an excellent stop. Cobbled streets lead up to the church, a Greek revival style town Hall and the shops of this old silk making town. We shopped, had a pub lunch, and visited the silk museum and Paradise Mill.

Paradise Mill is a must, it once housed a silk handloom weaving business and the looms are still there just as it was when it ceased trading many years ago.

Macclesfield Silk Mill

Half way through the tour of the mill we realised that it had started to rain and we still needed to finish shopping before returning to the boat, which was moored opposite the old Hovis (the breadmakers) Mill. Got back to the boat without getting too wet and chugged past two more impressive cotton mills, Clarence Mill at Bollington and the Goyt Mill at Marple before turning on to the Peak Forest Canal.