A newly launched 62-mile walking trail is bringing fresh attention to one of the UK’s most important canal landmarks. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, linking Manchester and Sheffield, features a key stop at Bugsworth Basin, the only intact inland port from the “canal mania” era.
This period, from 1790 to the 1810s, saw dozens of canals (or “cuts”) dug across England by speculators banking on “faster” logistics. Bugsworth Basin was the jewel in the crown, once the largest and busiest inland port on the entire system. It’s a must-see for history enthusiasts.
As walkers on the new trail explore the basin, information signs detail its incredible past. In 1808 alone, workers shifted enough limestone to fill 2,000 canal boats. This vital raw material was then shipped out to be used in buildings, chemical manufacturing, and agriculture across the country.
The basin is a highlight of the 14-section, rail-linked trail. It’s part of a “post-industrial” journey that also takes in the Peak Forest Tramway and former textile mills, telling the story of the region’s productive past.
This new route is an accessible way to step back in time. Visitors can enjoy a gentle walk along the canal and explore this remarkably preserved piece of history, all as part of a larger, well-marked trail through the Peak District.
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