[1] Leave the centre and turn left to walk along Princess Street until you reach Canal Street. Turn left along Canal Street with the Rochdale Canal on your right.
(A) On the opposite side of the canal there is the “Beacon of Hope” dedicated to all the people who lost there lives due to HIV/AIDS and those living with and affected by the virus. A little further, on notice the barge that the Eden restaurant uses as an eating area. The first bridge was built by The Stockton Forge Co in 1875.
The Rochdale Canal was opened between Rochdale and Manchester in 1799.
Cross Sackville Street and cross Chorlton Street then at Minshull Street go right over bridge and left onto towpath. Go through the tunnel (not recomended at night) and at the end of the tunnel turn right up the ramp into Dale Street then turn left towards Ducie Street.
[2] Go left along Ducie Street then cross over and just past Jutland Street, at the fingerpost, turn right onto the towpath of the Ashton Canal, pass the 5ton derrick made by Ellis & Norton, Manchester and continue with the canal on your right.
(B) Note the aquaduct when going over Store Street and at Piccadilly Village there is a 2ton derrick made by Butler Brothers, Glasgow.
Go under bridge at Great Ancoats Street and pass the first lock on the Ashton Canal to the New Islington Wharf, see information board, pass the lock keepers cottage and two more locks.
Just past here you can see far to the left the remains of the Victorian Ancoats Hospital which was closed in 1998.
The Ashton Canal was completed in 1796 running from a large basin behind what is now Piccadilly Station climbing eastwards up 18 locks to Droysden and then to Whitelands Basin, Ashton under Lyne. As you walk along the canal you may spot several species of water birds, including Canada Geese.
[3] Continue along the towpath, under bridge 4 at Carruthers Street then at bridge 5 go up the steps and turn left along Beswick Street, cross Old Mill Street at controlled lights and continue along Butler Street, pass the Trinity Methodist Church on left. Before the canal bridge bear left onto path and then left onto the towpath of the Rochdale Canal.
[4] Follow the path through a grassed area and continue along the towpath, pass an open area on the left.
Lookout for wildlife i.e. tit, thrush, robin and blackbirds and in summer the butterflies on the buddleia.
Go under bridge 88 built in 1903 by Handyside, Derby & London, over on the right you pass Murray's Mill and then the Old Mill erected 1799 which was rebuilt in 1912 and renamed the Royal Mill (these have now been converted into flats).
(C) Murray’s Mill, in 1798 George and Adam Murray completed the first phase of what is now Manchester's and the world's oldest surviving steam-powered urban cotton mill. By 1806 when the complex was complete it comprised two separate cotton spinning mills - the extended Old Mill, now known as Old/Decker Mill, and New Mill - connected by two warehouse, preparation and office ranges, to form a large single development grouped around a central quadrangle. Within the quadrangle were two engine houses, each housing a Boulton and Watt steam engine and associated boiler houses. Also in the quadrangle was a large canal basin, linked to the adjacent Rochdale Canal by a tunnel. This was the route in for coal and raw cotton, and the route out for spun cotton.
[5] Pass a footbridge and then just before a road bridge turn right down steps (these need repairing) and continue along towpath under bridge; take care because the cobbles are uneven along here. Near Browsfield Lock there are some seats you could use for a drink stop.
Looking over the canal you can see an old warehouse built in 1836.
Just past here go down some steps and under a bridge, then ahead go up the steps that take you over the curved canal footbridge then down the other side on to Brewer Street.
[6] Go straight ahead along Brewer Street and turn left onto China Lane, cross Hilton Street passing the ornate Building on the left, turn right at Dale Street and then left along Newton Street. Cross Piccadilly at controlled lights and continue along Portland Street. On the right, across the street, you can see the impressive statue of The Duke of Wellington designed by Matthew Noble in1856.
(D) The Duke of Wellington (1769 – 1852) - Arthur Wellesley was an Anglo-Irish general and statesman, victor at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1885 and twice British prime minister.
[7] Turn left into Minshull Street towards the Police Court buildings, turn right along Bloom Street, cross Chorlton Street, then Sackville Street and turn right at Princess Street back to the starting point.
The Police Court designed and built by the architect Thomas Worthington, was originally known as The City Police and Sessions Courts, and still remains one of his most impressive buildings in Manchester. Worthington was also responsible for the Albert Monument in Albert Square facing the Town Hall and although he had failed to win the design for the Town Hall, he was successful against tough competition for the commission of the Police Courts, which were completed in 1871.