Body

Peak Forest Canal

(all locations are listed as though travelling from Portland Basin to Whaley Bridge)

Pubs & Restaurants

Location What's there Comments Date

Marple Junction Hatters Arms, Church Lane Excellent Robinsons' pub about 10 minutes walk away - sells the deliciously potent Old Tom in winter. June 06 (CA)

Whaley Bridge, Bridge34 Dog & Partridge Big real fire, stone floor, plenty of character(s) in bar. Also has a foody side which looks OK. Pub is easily accessed from Bridge 34. December 06 (CA)

Bugsworth Basin

Navigation Inn Up for sale while we were there - some boaters have been disappointed with the food recently although what we had could be classified as "OK". Might be much better soon if a sale goes through. Anyway it's a classic pub in a classic location. June 06 (CA)

The atmosphere in the pub was not very welcoming and was reflected in a service that was a little less than you'd normally expect, but perhaps understandable particularly in view of the weather. I can recommend the Steak, Kidney and Ale pie which was genuinely home made and resulted in the biggest portion I've ever been served - and it seemed freshly cooked. The beer was nice and most welcome. July 06 (MB)

Beer good but food definitely mediocre - but the pub is up for sale so maybe no-one cares. September 06 (CH)

Pub now in hands of new licensee (from early December). Beer is good - food untested. December 06 (CA)

Shopping & Facilities

Bugsworth Arm Junction

Tesco Best moorings are on Whaley Bridge Arm, but if heading for Bugsworth you'll probably find somewhere. A ramp right at at the junction leads down to the Tesco car park - very convenient June 06 (CA)

It's difficult to get close to the bank and because of the permanent or long term moorings adjacent to the junction, mooring there for even a short period would have caused a restriction for other users. The walk back from Bugsworth Basin is pleasant and only take 10 minutes. July 06 (MB)

Good & Bad Moorings

Marple Junction There are plenty of moorings on the Peak Forest Canal although the gangplank might have to be deployed. Best moorings are on the Macc. opposite the water point but there's only room for three or four boats there. June 06 (CA)

Bugsworth Basin Idyllic moorings cover the vast area of the basin. Anyone with the slightest interest in canal history or industrial archeology will find it fascinating. There's some traffic noise from nearby A6 but it's not too obtrusive. June 06 (CA)

Whaley Bridge Only a few moorings right at the end. The moorings are functional and very handy for rail station. The town's shops and pubs are within easy reach. June 06 (CA)

Navigation Notes

Marple locks Lower gate paddles are very heavy. September 06 (CH)

TV Reception

Marple Junction Excellent reception December 06 (CA)

Location	What's there	Comments	Date
Marple Junction	Hatters Arms, Church Lane	Excellent Robinsons' pub about 10 minutes walk away - sells the deliciously potent Old Tom in winter.	June 06 (CA)
Whaley Bridge, Bridge34	Dog & Partridge	Big real fire, stone floor, plenty of character(s) in bar. Also has a foody side which looks OK. Pub is easily accessed from Bridge 34.	December 06 (CA)
Bugsworth Basin	Navigation Inn	Up for sale while we were there - some boaters have been disappointed with the food recently although what we had could be classified as "OK". Might be much better soon if a sale goes through. Anyway it's a classic pub in a classic location.	June 06 (CA)
		The atmosphere in the pub was not very welcoming and was reflected in a service that was a little less than you'd normally expect, but perhaps understandable particularly in view of the weather. I can recommend the Steak, Kidney and Ale pie which was genuinely home made and resulted in the biggest portion I've ever been served - and it seemed freshly cooked. The beer was nice and most welcome.	July 06 (MB)
		Beer good but food definitely mediocre - but the pub is up for sale so maybe no-one cares.	September 06 (CH)
		Pub now in hands of new licensee (from early December). Beer is good - food untested.	December 06 (CA)
Shopping & Facilities
Bugsworth Arm Junction	Tesco	Best moorings are on Whaley Bridge Arm, but if heading for Bugsworth you'll probably find somewhere. A ramp right at at the junction leads down to the Tesco car park - very convenient	June 06 (CA)
Bugsworth Arm Junction	Tesco	It's difficult to get close to the bank and because of the permanent or long term moorings adjacent to the junction, mooring there for even a short period would have caused a restriction for other users. The walk back from Bugsworth Basin is pleasant and only take 10 minutes.	July 06 (MB)
Good & Bad Moorings
Marple Junction		There are plenty of moorings on the Peak Forest Canal although the gangplank might have to be deployed. Best moorings are on the Macc. opposite the water point but there's only room for three or four boats there.	June 06 (CA)
Bugsworth Basin		Idyllic moorings cover the vast area of the basin. Anyone with the slightest interest in canal history or industrial archeology will find it fascinating. There's some traffic noise from nearby A6 but it's not too obtrusive.	June 06 (CA)
Whaley Bridge		Only a few moorings right at the end. The moorings are functional and very handy for rail station. The town's shops and pubs are within easy reach.	June 06 (CA)
Navigation Notes
Marple locks		Lower gate paddles are very heavy.	September 06 (CH)
TV Reception
Marple Junction		Excellent reception	December 06 (CA)