Sunday, 10 April 2011
Basin in bloom
Lock 92 at the Castlefield Basin, where the Rochdale and Bridgewater canals meet, in spring colours. Started in 1761 the Bridgewater was the first canal in Britain.
Named after its owner, Francis Egerton the third Duke of Bridgewater, the canal was built to carry coal from his mines at Worsley to the industrial areas of Manchester. 65km/39 miles long, its nickname is the Duke's Cut, hence the canalside pub here being called Duke's 92. (partially visible on the right of my photo).
More on the historic Bridgewater canal at: http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/