Marple Locks
Marple Locks
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This spectacular flight of sixteen working locks - surrounded by some beautiful wooded countryside and scenic walks - raises the canal 209 feet to reach a height of 518 feet above sea level at Marple.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
317 reviews
Excellent
199
Very good
94
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
1
heatherem
Wigan, UK566 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
excellent, had as lovely few hours walking the locks, beautiful countryside, thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
United Kingdom1Â 780 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Somewhere we've been meaning to visit for a few years. We parked in town and walked a short stretch by the lime kilns and up to the junction with the Macclesfield canal which is very plaasant. Next time we'll do the longer walk and make a day of it.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wickersley
Midlands2 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
My wife and I visited for the first time today. Lovely walk along 16 locks followed by a walk into the charming town. Well worth a visit. Anybody planning a day out consider where else you may also wish to visit in the area, to complete the day. But this is a good trip.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley S
5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Re ,family, 1 of our family waz in customer said there waz room , way you spoke to us!! But hey enjoy your day.....👋
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrell M
London, UK20 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
Often visit the area of Marple locks throughout the year.
The 'flight' of 16 locks is about 1 mile in length and one the steepest in England. It is a great place for a family day out and a fascinating part of our industrial heritage.
There is a bus stop for the 358, 383, 384 in Marple near to Marple Memorial Park as well as several car parks (the nearest is in Marple Memorial Park).
Starting from Marple Memorial Park, where there are tree sculptors, a sensory garden, toilets and fantastic views towards the Peak District.
Following the footpath onto the canal towpath. You arrive in the middle third of the lock flight. Turning left (northwards) going downhill and the numbers on the lock-gates decrease is easier if you have poor mobility. Going the other way is worth a look because it has a narrow tunnel built especially for the horses that pulled the narrow boats that you have to walk through.
The canal lock walk continues past Brabyns Park and the views continue. Reaching the last lock please continue along the Lower Peak Forest canal under the railway bridge and you will find Marple aqueduct. Built to carry the canal over the River Goyt. It is the highest in England and the highest masonry arch aqueduct in Britain.
The Etherow Country Park is nearby and accessible through Brabyns Park.
If you walk up to the top lock (number 16) you will see where the Macclesfield canal joins the Upper Peak Forest canal.
The 'flight' of 16 locks is about 1 mile in length and one the steepest in England. It is a great place for a family day out and a fascinating part of our industrial heritage.
There is a bus stop for the 358, 383, 384 in Marple near to Marple Memorial Park as well as several car parks (the nearest is in Marple Memorial Park).
Starting from Marple Memorial Park, where there are tree sculptors, a sensory garden, toilets and fantastic views towards the Peak District.
Following the footpath onto the canal towpath. You arrive in the middle third of the lock flight. Turning left (northwards) going downhill and the numbers on the lock-gates decrease is easier if you have poor mobility. Going the other way is worth a look because it has a narrow tunnel built especially for the horses that pulled the narrow boats that you have to walk through.
The canal lock walk continues past Brabyns Park and the views continue. Reaching the last lock please continue along the Lower Peak Forest canal under the railway bridge and you will find Marple aqueduct. Built to carry the canal over the River Goyt. It is the highest in England and the highest masonry arch aqueduct in Britain.
The Etherow Country Park is nearby and accessible through Brabyns Park.
If you walk up to the top lock (number 16) you will see where the Macclesfield canal joins the Upper Peak Forest canal.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
Huddersfield, UK262 contributions
Jul 2022
Worth a short stroll along the canal to see at least 10 locks in quick succession before arriving at the aqueduct. Shame there were no barges passing through.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillian S
Chelmsford, UK4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Found a great 5.5 mile walk on Superlative walks.com. starting at Marple Bridge and passing remains of cotton mill and Roman lakes serving teas. Along river then climb up to canal. Passing 16 locks then on to highest aquaduct in UK. Returning to Marple Bridge. Very enjoyable and informative morning.
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frances B
United Kingdom17 contributions
Nov 2021
Beautiful cycle path. My deaf blind friend had a great time on the tandem with me, even though we did get a bit wet!
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robbo1000
Manchester, UK471 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
2019 with my now-ex, 2020 alone, 2021 with my bestie... whomever you (don't) accompany, the locks are a spectacular piece of engineering. Best to go when the Navigation is open, as was the case in 2019 and 2021. No pubs = not a very rewarding walk!
Written 4 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex Carr
4 contributions
Jan 2020
My experience at the Marple locks was amazing. You would have to be bonkers not to go there!!! Its a great place for kids and the nature surrounding is astonishing you could probably see about 20 different species of birds there if you go n a nice day.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12josie
Dunnellon, FL5 contributions
I’m looking for lodging/holiday rental on or near the locks. When we can travel again, we are hoping to visit there without a car so would like to be within easy walking distance.
Katherine
Norwich, UK9 contributions
How long does it take to navigate the lock flight on a narrowboat heading upwards?
Catherine R
2 contributions
It took us about 3 hours, passing only one boat going the other way. We were able to open the next set of sluices by running about a bit (well, my boyfriend did, I was in charge of steering) If there were more boats passing it would have taken longer. I don't think we could have done it in much less even on a perfect (my steering was not perfect) run.
Barb1708_13
Manchester, UK134 contributions
Where is the best place to start the walk along the locks I don't know the area well so was wondering if I should get a train or drive and where do I head for ..thanks
Mike A
27 contributions
if you drive just through the centre of marple you will cross the canal bridge which has the locks either side just past the cinema and the navigation pub you will see a football field with one goal you can park there. then walk back to the bridge there's a passageway under the bridge which will take you to the majority of the locks and on to the aquduct.
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Claim your listingMARPLE LOCKS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Marple Locks
- Marple Locks is open:
- Sun - Sat 00:00 - 23:59
- Hotels near Marple Locks:
- (0.48 km) Oakfield Lodge Guest House
- (0.63 km) The Ring O' Bells
- (4.32 km) Pack Horse Inn
- (10.14 km) Old Hall Inn
- (8.20 km) Birds Nest Cottage Guest House
- Restaurants near Marple Locks:
- (0.09 km) Angkor Soul
- (0.14 km) La Dolce Vita Restaurant (Marple) Ltd
- (0.07 km) Original Marple Spice
- (0.09 km) Kambuja Cambodian Restaurant
- (0.08 km) Gulsham Indian Takeaway