Ashton Canal Walk, Portland Basin Museum & optional Cafe Lunch
Overview
Join us for an easy 4 to 5 mile walk along the Ashton Canal which forms part of the ‘Cheshire Ring’ and links the Huddersfield Narrow and Peak Forest Canals with the Rochdale and Bridgewater Canals. The walk will be following by an optional lunch at the Bridge View Cafe (extra cost) and after lunch we will take a look around the Museum.
The Portland Basin museum is situated over two floors in the restored 19th century Ashton Canal Warehouse. All displays are fully accessible. Downstairs shows the local industrial heritage and local crafts. The ground floor is a depiction of Tameside life and social history with shops, houses, streets etc. There are toilets in the entrance. For those who want to visit the museum ahead of the event or to stay a little later, it is open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
The Musuem's key exhibits and galleries include:
- 1920s Street: A life-sized recreation of an early 20th-century Tameside street, complete with a schoolroom, fish and chip shop, grocer's, doctor's surgery, and a typical "two-up two-down" house.
- Industrial History Gallery: Located on the ground floor, this gallery showcases large machinery from the cotton, coal mining, and farming industries, including the "Made in Tameside" exhibition.
- Victory! (Temporary Exhibition): Running until 22 March 2026, this exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, featuring objects from local families and the Manchester Regiment.
Meeting Points and approximate timings:
- Meet at 10.50 ready to start the walk at 11am. The walk of 4 to 5 miles starts on the Ashton Canal, which was completed in 1811 as a direct route from Manchester to Leeds. Passing Donkey Stone Wharf, an important part of industrial life.
- Meet up after the walk (about 1pm) in the museum foyer to go for lunch in Bridge View Cafe next door.
- After lunch, tour the museum at your own pace or as a group, around 30-40 minutes.
Includes
- A warm welcome from our volunteer host/walk leader
- An easy 4 to 5 mile walk along the Ashton Canal
- An optional cafe lunch at extra cost
- A look around the Portland Basin Museum
Extras
- all food and drinks purchased at the onsite cafe
- entrance to the museum is free however they welcome optional donations should you wish to make one
Location & Itinerary
- Meet at 10.50 ready to start the walk at 11am. The walk starts on the Ashton Canal, which was completed in 1811 as a direct route from Manchester to Leeds. Passing Donkey Stone Wharf, an important part of industrial life.
- Meet up after the walk (about 1pm) in the museum foyer to go for lunch in Bridge View Cafe next door.
- After lunch, tour the museum at your own pace or as a group, around 30-40 minutes.
Driving: From M60 J23, take A635 towards Ashton (Manchester Road). Past Evans Halshaw on left, past St.Peter's Church on right, road changes name to Park Parade. Soon turn right into Bentinck Street (one-way). 1st right onto Hill Street, first left into Portland Street South (one-way). Turn right into large cobbled free car park in front of the museum. If no spaces in the car park, drive to the far side and park on Welbeck Street South, also free parking and no restrictions.
Public Transport:
Metrolink: Take the tram to Ashton-Under-Lyne, then walk for 15 minutes.
Bus: Take the 219, then walk for 10 minutes
Host & Everything Else
Gallery
