This termination of the Upper Peak Forest Canal is surprisingly popular with boaters. Perhaps it’s because it is less than 2 hours easy cruising from the 16 locks at Marple which is where the Macclesfield Canal terminates and the Upper Peak Forest starts. Boaters cruising north/south may decide to rest here before or after the strenuous effort required to negotiate the beautiful Marple flight.

Bugsworth basin is interesting in that it was the shipment interchange of the canal with the Peak Forest Tramway.  Opened in 1796, the tramway carried limestone 6.1/2 miles down from the Dove Holes area of the Derbyshire Peak District until it closed in 1927. Much of the canal basin system has been restored by the Inland Waterways Protection Society with work starting in 1968 and completed in 1999. However it was closed soon after due to leakage problems and finally it held together after a  deal more restoration and reopened in 2005.

The basin and Buxworth village are very peaceful in spite of the proximity of the busy A6 and is set in an attractive rolling hills landscape – a superb place to spend the night after perhaps especially when enjoying the local hostelry, the Navigation Inn.

When I visited during the early afternoon the basin was almost deserted but I met a number of boaters while visiting Marple and the Macclesfield Canal who had the intention of spending the evening and night there. No people on my visit – a shame – but interesting and relaxing – yes.

Here is a short slideshow of views close to and at the basin.

Map:

View Bugsworth Basin, Buxworth, Derbyshire in a larger map