Bridgewater Canal Guided Tours

Thinking of a guided tour around #Worsley or the #BridgewaterCanal this year? A tour with one of our expert, specialist Green Badge guides will give you the best experience, facts & stories. @SalfordCanal @BridgewaterWay @bricks_andwater @tourswalkstalks @showmemcr @gotguided

01 Jan 1894 #Manchester #Ship #Canal opened to traffic. SS Pioneer of the Co-Operative Wholesale Society, 1st cargo ship registered at Port of Manchester, was 1st to unload at the docks in #Salford. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay @coopuk

13 Dec 1892 Newly built #Trafford Road swing bridge was swung for the 1st time. It still carries Trafford Road over the Manchester #Ship #Canal between #Salford and #Manchester, although it no longer swings. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

11 Nov 1887 First sod of #Manchester #Ship #Canal cut at the location of Eastham Lock, entrance to the canal. Cut by Wilbraham Egerton, 2nd Baron (later 1st Earl) Egerton, also 2nd chairman of the canal. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

27 Oct 1803 Harriet Catherine Greville born. Later married Francis #Egerton who became 1st Earl of #Ellesmere. As Countess Ellesmere she was involved with women’s & children’s rights including mining reform. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

19 Oct 1903 ‘Bridgewater Trust’ set up in 1803 after the death of Francis Egerton, 3rd #Duke of #Bridgewater, finally expired after a #century. However, his rich legacy lives on in #Worsley and far beyond. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

11 Oct 2023 History walk ‘In Queen Victoria’s Footsteps’ with Salford Rangers and @Bridgewatertour as part of #Salford Walking Festival. Followed route around Worsley taken #Queen #Victoria on 10 Oct 1851 @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

11 Oct 1851 Final day of visit by #Queen #Victoria to #Worsley New Hall from 9th to 11th. On 10th October the Royal party visited #Salford, #Manchester and walked around Worsley, visiting St. Marks’s Church. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

27 Sep 1772 James Brindley, canal engineer, died at his home Turnhurst Hall in #Staffordshire. He had designed the original stone aqueduct at #Barton to carry the #Bridgewater #Canal over the #River #Irwell. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

19 Sep 1862 George Egerton, 2nd #Earl of #Ellesmere, died visiting #Scotland. Interred in the #Egerton vault, St. Mark’s, #Worsley. He had laid the 1st stone of the #Church on his 21st birthday, 15 Jun 1844. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

15th Sep 1830 The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened on this day. The first inter-city railway in the world. It crosses the Bridgewater Canal at Hall Bank, Patricroft. @SalfordCanal @BridgewaterWay @RHSBridgewater @manchestercanal

21st Aug 1893 1st boat across #Barton Swing Aqueduct carrying #Bridgewater #Canal over #Manchester #Ship Canal, was barge 'Ann' of Lymm. Carrying vitriol to Hapton, would have had a similar view on entering. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

11 Aug 1861 Scroop #Egerton born. Became 4th Earl of #Bridgewater in 1701. 1720 was made 1st #Duke of Bridgewater. His youngest son Francis became 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, also known as ‘The #Canal Duke’. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

6th Aug 1885 Act for #Manchester Ship #Canal passed. It enabled the construction of the #unique #Barton Swing Aqueduct. Still operational and carrying the #Bridgewater Canal over the Ship Canal. Brilliant! @SalfordCanal @BridgewaterWay @RHSBridgewater @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife

17 Jul 1761 #Bridgewater #Canal opened from #Worsley to #Stretford via Barton Stone Aqueduct, carrying the canal over the #River #Irwell. Taking coal to #Manchester and powering the #Industrial #Revolution. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

30 Jun 1851 #Queen Victoria and #Prince Albert stayed at #Worsley New Hall. #Royal visit to the Art Treasures Exhibition at Trafford Park, near #Manchester. Sailing to and from via the #Bridgewater #Canal @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

15th Jun 1844 On his 21st birthday George Granville Francis Egerton (later 2nd Earl of #Ellesmere) laid the foundation stone of St. Mark's Church, #Worsley. #Church and spire are still a prominent landmark. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

28th May 1860 Jesse Wallwork born at Pin Fold Farm, Hilton Lane, #Walkden, #Worsley. Later lived at Drywood Hall, now #BridgewaterSchool. Manager of #Bridgewater Estates from 1923 until his death in 1951. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

21st May 1736 Francis Egerton was born. He became the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater. Famous as founder of the #Bridgewater Canal which moved coal from #Worsley to #Manchester. Remembered as the 'Canal Duke'. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

17th May 1968 #QueenElizabethII visited #Worsley and other North West towns as part of the Operation Spring Clean tour. She appeared on Worsley footbridge to wave to gathered local children and dignitaries. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay

14th May 1766 #Trent and #Mersey Canal Act was passed. This joined with the #Bridgewater #Canal at #Preston Brook in #Cheshire. It linked the Midlands with #Manchester. @SalfordCanal @MCRCanal @SalfordWildlife @RHSBridgewater @BridgewaterWay