A new 62-mile walking route is offering a fascinating glimpse into the “canal mania” that swept England in the 1790s. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, linking Manchester and Sheffield, features a key stop at Bugsworth Basin, the only intact inland port from that speculative era.
This period saw “dozens of cuts” made across the country by investors banking on “faster” logistics. Bugsworth Basin, on the Peak Forest canal, was once the largest and busiest inland port on the entire system, and walkers can now explore this remarkably preserved site.
The trail provides a rich historical context. Information signs allude to the incredible industry of the time; in 1808, workers shifted enough limestone from nearby quarries to fill 2,000 canal boats. This vital material was then shipped out for building and manufacturing.
This historical highlight is just one part of the 14-section, rail-linked trail. The route masterfully combines this “canal mania” heritage with other industrial histories, such as the 1796 Peak Forest Tramway and the long-running Torr Vale textile mill.
This new, well-marked trail is a must for history buffs. It’s an accessible way to step back in time and understand the transport revolutions that shaped the “post-industrial” landscape of the Peak District.