Bugsworth Basin, the terminus of the Peak Forest Canal, was one of the largest inland ports on the canal system. Originally intended to continue to Chapel Milton to meet the Peak Forest Tramway (two miles to the east) it was cheaper and easier to bring the tramway to Bugsworth.
The tramway brought limestone six miles from quarries at Lodes Knowle and Dove Holes for transport to Manchester and beyond.
The loaded wagons moved down the tramway by gravity, while the empty wagons were hauled back using horses.
Bugsworth Basin closed in 1927 and by the 1960s was dry and overgrown. In 1968 volunteers from the Inland Waterways Protection Society began the long work of restoration. The basin re-opened in 1999 but had to be closed again after a few months due to major leaks. Further work was undertaken and the basin reopened in 2005
Sharing fantastic moorings within the ruins of one of the
Lime Stone stores and next door is “The Navigation Inn” very handy !!!!!
The marks of time,
The iron rims of the wagons have cut into the stone roadways.
The ruin we have moored in is under the first tramway bridge
The tramway was of the Outrum, Stone blocks & edge rail type so the wagons could roll off the railway at the terminus and onto the roadway system in the port.
A walk up into the hills that supplyed to stone also proved very pleasant.