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Making life better by water
Bugsworth Canal Basin on the Peak Forest Canal, and not far from the town of Whaley Bridge, was once the largest and busiest inland port on the narrow canal system and the only one to survive intact. Today, it's popular with boaters and walkers.
There is a welcome station at the basin, which is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and at weekends between 10am and 2pm (opening times are subject to change). It serves tea, coffee, cold drinks and a selection of snacks and ice-cream.
There is a small on-site museum which contains lots of of historical information about the basin, including the people who lived and worked there, the lime industry and the local community, as well as the restoration carried out by the former Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust.
A children’s activity area provides facilities for painting and colouring and the Bugsworth Fairy Orchard encourages little ones to seek and search for magical friends. The museum, and children’s activity area opening times are the same as the welcome station.
There are several picnic benches around the basin, so why not stop and enjoy your lunch in this beautiful and fascinating environment.
Bugsworth Basin, Brookside, Buxworth, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 7NE
Apart from parking, it's free
Toilets at the basin are open when the volunteers are on site; they can be opened using a Canal & River Trust key at other times.
There is limited parking on site. Alternative parking is available at Tesco, Whaley Bridge.
Free parking at the basin
The nearest facilities, including water point, elsan and toilets, are available within Bugsworth Basin and are for all boaters to use, however there is some limited permanent moorings
Whaley Bridge railway station, and the 199 bus service from Stockport and Buxton are both a short walk away, along the Bugsworth Arm of the Peak Forest Canal to the basin.
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