Macclesfield Accommodation

Macclesfield the Macclesfield Canal Silk Industry Thomas Telford Tourist Information UK

Macclesfield was once an international centre in the Silk Industry. At the central Heritage centre are fascinating textile displays, with intricately designed prints and individual stories of those in the area who worked in the industry.

By 1777 demand was great for a canal route through the industrial town of Macclesfield. However, Thomas Telford was not asked to design a link between the Peak Forest Canal and the Trent & Mersey Canal until 1825. The 28 mile 'cut and fill' that is the Macclesfield Canal runs from Marple north of Kidsgrove along the hills west of the Pennines upto Marple junction in the Peak Forest area. The engineer was William Crosley and the Macclesfield Canal is part of the 100 mile Cheshire Ring canal circuit. It's fed by two reservoirs - the Bosley and Sutton. This canal not surprisingly did good trade initially, particularly in coal and cotton from nearby northern mills. It did steadily decline from about 1846. Today it's a beautiful canal, with many great pubs and sites along it's route. Take time to move out of the centre of Macclesfield to explore this delightful feet of engineering - and an integral feature of the history of this Cheshire area.

Pit Stops of Interest and Pubs Along the Macclesfield Canal

Hardings Wood Junction at the southern start of the Macclesfield Canal where the Trent & Mersey Canal ends is a busy junction, and a good starting point. Start with lunch and real ale at either the Blue Bell, Canal side, the Canal Tavern, Hardingwood Road or the Rising Sun. High embankments are a feature of this canal as you move up through Congleton. Don't miss the Bosley Locks just above Congleton. These deep locks are slightly unusual as they have a pair of mitred top gates instead of the usual single one. Telford's mark can be seen here with his tendency of grouping locks together.

Move along the Macclesfield Canal further and you'll get to beautiful Oakgrove, or take in the pubs around the Gurnett Aqueduct area noting Foden Bank Bridge - a prime example of what is known as a Snake Bridge, handy for taking the horses across to the other side of the towpath and so named for their winding path up to the bridge top.

Tourist Information Points: Town Hall, Market Place, Macclesfield, T: 01625 504114

Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Gawsworth Hall, rather more interesting than your average manor house with supposedly Shakespearean links to Mary Fitton who once lived here. She was maid of honour to Elizabeth I, had a wild affair with the Earl of Pembroke, became pregnant and both she and the Earl were slapped in the Tower, having outraged the 'virgin' queen by this act.

There's an open-air theatre as well, and tearoom on-site.

Gawsworth Hall, Church Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9RN www.gawsworthhall.com

Macclesfield Silk Museum, The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield

The Macclesfield Silk Museum is located right in the centre of Macclesfield and was once a Sunday School for children who worked in the silk mill. Horrendous life I'd say - long hours in the silk mill all week then obligatory Sunday School be happy with your lot on Sunday. Some of them might have managed to stay awake for their lessons on the Sunday? The Silk Museum itself is a fascinating exhibition exploring the social history of people in Macclesfield who worked in the Silk Industry, particularly women. The central exhibit is a 'living history' film setting individual stories of struggle within the context of the history of the silk industry.

Once you've experience this informative museum, you can move onto Paradise Mill just down the road (tickets are on sale in the Heritage centre). This was a working silk mill until 1981 and here you'll see some of the 26 restored jacquard handlooms in a working demonstration and there's an excellent exhibition of photographs illustrating life in Paradise Mill in the 1930s. Check the website for changing exhibitions and opening times. There's a restaurant and Silk shop on-site.

Macclesfield Silk Museum, The Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield SK11 6UT T: 01625 613210

www.silk-macclesfield.org

Useful contacts:

Paradise Mill, Park Lane, Macclesfield T: 01625 618

Arley Hall & Gardens, Arley Estate Office, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA, T: 01565 777353 www.arleyestate.zuunet.co.uk

Bridgemere Garden World, nr Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7QB T: 01270 521100 www.bridgemere.co.uk

Follow that Designer Outlet trail grrrrrr at Blakemere Shopping Experience, Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2EB www.blakemere-shoppingexperience.com

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