Monton, look out for the famous local landmark, the lighthouse! A local resident with an eye for the unusual built this 36 foot high folly which catches the eye of passing narrowboat owners and walkers. As Monton is 30 miles from the coast, no ships have ever wandered this far off course so far, but the Monton lighthouse is on hand just in case...
Despite its tranquil image, Boothstown has a bustling past. Evidence of coal mining in this area dates back to the 14th century and was close to major collieries, including Mosley Common in Wigan and Chaddock Colliery in Boothstown.
If you venture into Bridgewater Park you will see the keystone at the entrance to the Chaddock Level dated 1816, which linked Chaddock Colliery to the Bridgewater Canal. A small basin at the entrance to the Chaddock Level used to transport coal from here to the industrial heartlands of Manchester and beyond.
Patricroft was a magnet for industry due to its excellent location. The Steam Hammer, the pile driver, the hydraulic press and locomotives were all either invented or manufactured here. One of James Nasmyth's original steam hammers currently resides here. This important piece of historical engineering will be restored and conserved as a testament to the genius of invention borne from the Bridgewater Canal.
The Barton-Upon-Irwell conservation area is centred on the famous Barton Swing Aqueduct which was constructed between 1890 and 1894 to replace Brindley's stone aqueduct of 1761 carrying the Bridgewater Canal across the River Irwell. The close proximity of this engineering masterpiece and the contemporary swing bridge is unique.
Visually separate from the canal, Worsley Green is an area of public open space, bordered by Worsley Road and by terraces of 18th century cottages and 19th century houses with elevations in black-and-white vernacular style.
The Victorian ornamental fountain, an important feature of the Green, originally formed part of a chimney stack on factory buildings that stood on the site of Worsley Green.
Worsley Delph is the start of the whole story of the Bridgewater Canal. This is where coal emerged from the Duke's mines to be transported into Manchester, sparking the Industrial Revolution. This important piece of history is easy to miss. Today the basin is silted up and inaccessible.
We are changing all this and will be developing improved public access to this unique site. Improvement works are due to start at the Delph in 2017.
