Canal Pub
Ye Olde Kings Head
Byrons Ln, Macclesfield SK11 0HD.
Canal Pub
#1 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Attractions on the Macclesfield Canal
Completed in 1831, the Macclesfield Canal was one of Britain’s last canals, built just as railways were emerging. After decades of proposals since 1765, it was finally approved in the 1820s, with Thomas Telford endorsing the route in 1824. The 26.1-mile canal runs from Marple Junction to Hall Green, passing through Macclesfield and Congleton. Built mostly straight using Telford’s “cut and fill” method, it was constructed by William Crosley for £320,000. The canal’s twelve locks are all at Bosley, raising the waterway by 118 feet. Sold to a railway company in 1846, the canal continued commercial traffic until 1954 and is home to Britain’s oldest canal cruising club, founded in 1943. Today, the Macclesfield Canal is an important part of the Cheshire Ring, offering a peaceful journey through scenic countryside and villages.
Britain’s 4,700 miles of canals and rivers are lined with historic pubs, castles, and engineering marvels. Visitors can enjoy canalside pubs like the Admiral Nelson and The Turf Hotel, explore castles such as Beeston and Chirk, and see attractions like the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Anderton Boat Lift, and National Waterways Museums. Day boat hire is widely available, and guided cruises offer relaxing ways to discover the canals’ heritage and scenery.
Macclesfield Canal's Best Attractions in 2026
Canal Pub
#2 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Canal Pub
#3 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Accommodation and Canal Pub
#4 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Canal Pub
#5 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Canal Pub
The Rising Sun Country Pub and Restaurant
Station Rd, Scholar Green, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 3JT.
Canal Pub
#6 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
Canal Pub
#7 Rated Attraction on the Macclesfield Canal
