Macclesfield Canal has 13 locks and 76 recorded mooring sites (20 with a published Canal & River Trust time limit), plus 6 water points. There are currently 3 active navigation closures on this waterway.
Locks
13
Mooring sites
76
Timed moorings
20
Water points
6
Active navigation closures
What size boat fits?
Canal & River Trust publish these maxima for the Macclesfield Canal. Treat them as a rough guide rather than a guarantee — an individual bridge hole, lock chamber or shallow pound can be tighter than the headline figure, and draught in particular varies with rainfall and silting.
Max length
72ft (21.95m)
Max beam
6ft 12in (2.13m)
Max draught
3ft 6in (1.07m)
Headroom
6ft 10in (2.08m)
Source: Canal & River Trust waterway dimensions (rough guide).
Frequently asked questions
How many locks are on the Macclesfield Canal?
There are 13 locks recorded on the Macclesfield Canal, based on Canal & River Trust reference data.
Where can I moor on the Macclesfield Canal?
76 mooring sites are recorded on the Macclesfield Canal, of which 20 have a published time limit — usually 14 days, but shorter in busy spots. Visitor moorings and their time limits are shown on the Itchy Tiller map.
Is the Macclesfield Canal open at the moment?
There are currently 3 active navigation closures affecting the Macclesfield Canal. Details and dates are listed on this page.
What size boat can navigate the Macclesfield Canal?
Maximum length 72ft (21.95m), maximum beam 6ft 12in (2.13m), maximum draught 3ft 6in (1.07m), minimum headroom 6ft 10in (2.08m). These are Canal & River Trust's published figures for the Macclesfield Canal and are a rough guide — check individual structures before committing to a passage.
Are there water points on the Macclesfield Canal?
Yes — 6 water points are recorded on the Macclesfield Canal. Their locations are shown on the Itchy Tiller map alongside rubbish disposal and Elsan points.
Plan a route or track your stay on the Macclesfield Canal
Itchy Tiller shows this canal's locks, moorings and live closures on an interactive map, with route planning and mooring time-limit tracking built in.
Open the map