St Helens Canal Maps
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the St Helens Canal. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check you can...
Category: St Helens Canal
Mersey Gateway
The Mersey Gateway project will provide a new road link to relive pressure on the existing road bridge at Runcorn. It’s being constructed to the east of the existing bridge, and scheduled for completion in...
St Helens Canal
History The St Helens Canal ran from the River Mersey near Warrington to reach the outskirts of St Helens. It’s sometimes known as the Sankey Canal as it used the line of the Sankey Brook in...
End of the Ravenhead Branch
< JUMP TO Ravenhead Branch Next > < Boardman’s Bridge Jn Boardman’s Bridge Jn > We’re standing at the end of the Ravenhead Branch of the St Helens Canal. This final section of the canal closed...
Near the End
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > From Tavern Swing Bridge in the distance near the white building, the Ravenhead Branch once came towards the camera along what...
Canal Street
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The final 400m (¼ mile) of the Ravenhead Branch once headed into the distance along what is, rather cheekily, called Canal...
Tavern Swing Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Photographed just beyond the current limit of navigation of the Ravenhead Branch, this is where the canal once passed from where...
Ravenhead Branch – End of Navigation
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > This will be the limit of navigation on the Ravenhead Branch when it’s restored. Visitor moorings and a winding point are...
Limit of the Ravenhead Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The limit of navigation of the Ravenhead Branch of the St Helens Canal. The branch once continued for around 650m (700 yards) further...
Near the End
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Very near the end of the St Helens Canal is passes between modern shopping outlets and car parking spaces. Waterway and...
Railway Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The Railway Line through St Helens crosses a bridge over the towpath. It’s not clear if the bridge over the canal...
Glass Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The glass sided footbridge links the two parts of Pilkington’s World of Glass in St Helens. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-RB 24.790 OS...
Footbridge with clearance
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The first bridge on the Ravenhead Branch is a footbridge with adequate clearances making navigation possible. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-RB 24.700 OS...
Junction with the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Looking back towards the start of the Ravenhead Branch where the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once continued from the left to pass...
Junction with the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > Where the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once went...
End of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< JUMP TO Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Locks Jn Ravenhead Branch Jn > Filmed from the junction with the Ravenhead Branch, the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once continues around 300m (330 yards) straight ahead,...
Junction with the Ravenhead Branch
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > < Next Ravenhead Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > Looking from the inside of the curve...
Modern Low Bridge
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > With canal restoration seriously proposed it’s a little surprising that a recently installed footbridge has been constructed with such limited...
Wildlife on the Water
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The wildlife is quite happy with the restored sections of canal. In the distance is a railway bridge which, like...
Cruising through the Grass
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The line of the canal is still available for restoration where this hasn’t already been been done. Here the route...
Restored Already
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > Between the low bridges the canal is largely restored, just waiting for boats to cruise along. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-BBB...
Causeways Block the Navigation
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > As the canal passes through St Helens there are several roads that cross the canal just above water level which will make...
Restored Branch
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > There’s nothing to stop boats cruising along this restored section of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch in St Helens. Note the...
Causeway and Bridge
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The first bridge, with the light coloured railings, has been replaced by a causeway and the road level will have...
Above the New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The two lock staircase at the end of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch of the St Helens Canal was restored some...
New Double Lock Footbridges
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > There are no walkways across the middle and bottom lock gates of the New Double Locks but there are footbridges...
New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The restored centre gates of the two lock staircase known as the New Double Locks have been allowed to deteriorate,...
New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The bottom of the two lock staircase, known as the New Double Locks. These were restored some time ago and...
Hidden Junction
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The high water levels make it almost impossible to distinguish where the junction is. We are looking from the New...
Underwater Junction
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < Ravenhead Branch Jn End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > The picture is looking along the...
End of Navigation
< JUMP TO Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < Old Double Locks Jn New Double Locks Jn > The end of the Gerard’s Bridge Branch is to the left of the photo. The towpath, nearer the...
Flooded Towpath
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > The Gerard’s Bridge Branch comes towards us and finished to the left of the photo. The line of the water...
Underwater Junction
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > < Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < Ravenhead Branch Jn End of Navigation > Exceptionally high water levels after heavy...
High Water Levels
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Exceptionally high water levels after recent heavy rain meant the towpath became flooded and is hard to distinguish from...
Merton Banks Bridge
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Another bridge fixed close to water level. The name has evolved and appears as Irelands Brow Bridge and Islands...
Between the Buildings
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Approaching St Helens the route of the canal is still protected as it’s squeezed between the industrial buildings on...
Low Footbridge
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > A low footbridge crosses the channel close to the normal water level. After recent heavy rain the water levels...
Overgrown Channel
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > It’s easy to walk or cycle along the route of the canal and, with a little work, it will...
Crossing the Weir
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > The footpath / cyclepath regains the line of the towpath to the west of Park Road. A bridge has...
Start of the Gerard’s Bridge Branch
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock Jn End of Navigation > < Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < JUMP TO St Helens Canal...
Limit of Navigation
< JUMP TO Blackbrook Branch Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Looking back from the small basin at the limit of navigation on the Blackbrook Branch of the St Helens...
End of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > There’s a small basin at the end of the Blackbrook Branch but nothing else to see. Some old references suggest the adjacent...
Stanley Mill
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Just a short distance from the path along the Blackbrook Branch of the St Helens Canal is the partially restored Stanley...
Overgrown Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > The edges of the Blackbrook Branch are rather overgrown but the centre channel is kept free and used for drainage, especially...
Crane at Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Cranes, like this replica, would have been used at Stanley Basin to lift goods on and off boats which would have...
Wagon at Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Wagons, like this replica, would have been used to carry loads to and from Stanley Basin for loading to and from...
Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Stanley Basin would once have been busy with boats being loaded and unloaded. It’s not clear if this was dug specially...
Blackpool Road Bridge
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > There’s very little clearance under Blackpool Road Bridge which carries a busy road across the canal. Providing an opening bridge here...
Channel of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Rather overgrown with reeds the main channel of the Blackbrook Branch is still visible. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-BB 21.250 OS Grid...
Blackbrook Branch Footbridge
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > A footbridge crosses near the start of the Blackbrook Branch. There’s also a small weir under the bridge. Waterway and Kilometerage...
Start of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Looking back along the Blackbrook Branch to the Junction, where the black and white footbridge is just visible, with the end...
Start of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock Jn End of Navigation > < JUMP TO St Helens Canal...
End of the St Helens Canal
< JUMP TO St Helens Canal Next > < Widnes Earlestown > < Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock...
Upper Staircase Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > A footbridge carries the towpath across the top of the Old Double Locks. Immediately beyond is the junction which marks the end...
Former Swing Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > The extra stonework on the left indicates where a swing railway bridge once crossed the top lock, and a swing footbridge once...
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > After recent heavy rain, water cascades down through the former two lock staircase known as the Old Double Locks on the St...
Waterfalls Through The Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Water from local watercourses is diverted to flow along the old canal and cascades through the old staircase locks after heavy rain....
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Looking down the Old Double Locks, with an impressive flow of water after recent heavy rain. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 21.165 OS...
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > This two lock staircase became know as the “Old Double Locks” to distinguish them from a newer two lock staircase built closer to...
Former Swing Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > The stonework marks the position of a former swing bridge. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 20.820 OS Grid Reference SJ 53896 96051 Date...
Broad Oak Basin
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Broad Oak Basin would once have been busy with boats being loaded and unloaded. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 20.550 OS Grid Reference...
Water Filled Channel
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Local water courses flow along the channel of the canal before joining the Sankey Brook. The water level can overtop the banks...
Towpath Footbridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > A new footbridge carries the towpath over a channel taking the flow from a local watercourse using part of the canal until...
Fish Ponds
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > It’s difficult to identify the course of the canal in places. Sometimes the Sankey Brook has been diverted to flow along the...
Crossing the Flood Plain
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > There is very little height difference between the canal, to the right of the footpath, and the Sankey Brook, to the left....
Limited Headroom
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Penkford Bridge crosses the canal with limited headroom. The arches to the left carry the towpath over the flow to the weir...
Newton Common Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Part of Newton Common Lock is visible, with the far end under the road which was once a swing bridge. Note the...
Sankey (Nine Arches) Viaduct
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Warrington > The recent path follows the line of the canal under the Railway Viaduct, known locally as Nine Arches, which carries the Chat Moss Line from...
Bradley Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Bradley Lock, looking uphill, although the ground level suggests otherwise. The level of the land and the towpath above the lock are at the same level as that...
Bradley Lock Stonework
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Bradley Lock has interesting holes in the stonework. I expect someone knows what they were for. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 16.680.01 OS Grid Reference SJ 57338 94433 Date and Time...
Bradley Lock, from below
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Bradley Lock, viewed from below, showing a small rise in canal level. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 16.625 OS Grid Reference SJ 57399 94406 Date and Time 151229 140637...
Swing Bridge below Bradley Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Below Bradley Lock another swing bridge has already been restored, waiting for boats to pass through. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 16.350 OS Grid Reference SJ 57672 94408 Date...
Below Hey Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Approaching Hey Lock from below. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 15.400 OS Grid Reference SJ 58233 93729 Date and Time 151229 135918 Copyright © Paul Balmer
Cycle Track
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > A cycle and walking path follows the line of the canal for most of the length, including the approach to Earlestown. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 14.905 OS Grid...
Winwick Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The West Coast Railway Line runs parallel to the canal for 2½ km (1½ miles) to the north of Warrington Bank Quay station and the gates of Winwick Lock...
Motorway Embankment
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The grass marks the line of the canal which heads straight for the embankment of the modern M62 motorway. There’s certainly enough height difference to construct a bridge...
Dry Dock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Looking into the dry dock from the lift bridge. Boats would have been maintained in here, after the water had been let out through sluices, into the Sankey...
Winwick Quay
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The hand rails on the left are for a Lift Bridge which crosses the entrance to the dry dock. There’s no lifting mechanism, just a hinge at the...
Hulme Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The outline of Hulme Lock is clearly visible. We’re looking northwards, that’s uphill, yet the land level beyond the lock is lower than the lock. Subsidence from coal...
Sankey Book and St Helens Canal
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The channel is kept dredged and clear of vegetation where it’s shared with the Sankey Brook to allow flood water to pass through, on its way to the...
Sankey Brook
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Starting about 550m north of Bewsey Lock, and for almost 1km (1/2 mile), the Sankey Brook has been diverted to run along the St Helens Canal. Don’t let the name...
Bewsey Lock Structure
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The structure of Bewsey Lock is still there, waiting to be restored, with the gate recesses clearly visible in the stonework. The channel to the north is still...
Sankey Canal Trail
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Free Maps of the St Helens (Sankey) Canal. The Sankey Canal Trail crosses the swing bridge at Bewsey Lock and generally follows the canal, although not as close...
Bewsey Lock Swing Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > A modern swing bridge replaces the former swing bridge across Bewsey Lock. This is ready to swing once the vegetation is cleared and the lock is restored. It...
Interpretation Board
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > An interpretation board at Bewsey Lock provides lots of information about the lock, the swing bridge across it, and the surrounding area. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 10.630.01 OS...
Bewsey Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The walls and basic structure of Bewsey Lock are still there, ready for restoration. Like all the locks on the St Helens Canal, this is a broad lock...
Bewsey Bridges
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > The narrow road bridge (nearest the camera) was a swing bridge but is now fixed. A modern footbridge (with the white railings) is also fixed and both prevent navigation...
Looking ready for boats
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Earlestown Warrington > Viewed from the foot of the Sankey (Seven Arches) Railway Viaduct the canal looks ready for boats. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 09.930 OS Grid Reference SJ 58994 89036...
High Level Footbridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Another footbridge already high enough for navigation, above a channel looking ready for navigation. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 09.565.02 OS Grid Reference SJ 59058 88663 Date and Time 151229...
Which Way Next?
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > The Sankey Valley Park, with lots of amenities, follows the line of the St Helens Canal and the adjacent Sankey Brook. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 09.565.01 OS...
Ready for Boats
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > North of Sankey Way there are sections of canal which look ready for navigation. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 09.095.02 OS Grid Reference SJ 58976 88214 Date and...
Sankey Way Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Sankey Way will require raising to create navigation clearances. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 09.095.01 OS Grid Reference SJ 58976 88214 Date and Time 151229 124941 Copyright ©...
Sankey Way
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Sankey Way crosses the canal just above water level in the centre of this photo. Fortunately there seems to be space to raise the road to create navigation...
View from the Footbridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Looking down from the footbridge it’s not hard to imagine a little dredging taking place to clear the channel for navigation. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 08.730.02 OS...
Footbridge with navigation clearance
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Continuing beyond the two fixed rail and road bridges the next bridge is a footbridge with navigation clearance across a channel that looks ready for boats already. Although...
Liverpool Road Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Liverpool Road Bridge, around 100m from the fixed railway bridge, is another fixed bridge which will require considerable money and ingenuity to find an acceptable solution to make...
Restored Swing Footbridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Parallel to the fixed railway bridge is a swing footbridge that was restored some time ago and, although it looks like it could do with a lick...
Fixed Railway Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Now fixed too low for navigation the former swing railway bridge will be one of the more difficult problems to tackle during restoration of the canal. This is...
Warning Signs
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Several long lengths of the St Helens Canal have fencing between the towpath and the canal with red signs saying “No Angling” and warning of the unstable...
Mayers Swing Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Warrington Widnes > Marsh Swing Bridge is another which no longer swings. There’s also a pipe running across the canal at bridge deck level, just to the right of the bridge...
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