Ancoats Canal History Walk

Try this new self-guided walking tour developed by the Ancoat's Canal Project. The walking tour starts at Piccadilly Basin, next to the former headquarters of the Rochdale Canal Company and the earliest surviving canal warehouse in the city.

Once you’ve put on your headphones, you will be guided along the canal towpath past Brownsfield Mill and into historic Ancoats – the world’s first industrial suburb. The voices of local people will guide you around the area’s unique collection of Victorian cotton mills, factories, waterways and housing, bringing the area’s past to life and offering some insights into its future.

If you have an MP3 player or smartphone, you can download the tour and route map from our website. Representatives from the Ancoats Canal Project will be at the start of the walk on the day and will also have some MP3 players and maps available for you to borrow (£5 deposit).

Tour Starting Point: Piccadilly Basin archway on Dale Street, M1 2HG