Prestolee is a Village in the county of Greater Manchester.
The Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal in the Prestolee area near Kearsley is a noteworthy segment of the once bustling canal system of North West England. This canal, originally constructed in the early 19th century, was instrumental in the industrial development of the region, providing a vital transportation route for goods, particularly coal, cotton, and other industrial materials.
Historical Significance
The canal was opened in 1797 and played a crucial role in linking the towns of Manchester, Bolton, and Bury, thereby enhancing the industrial capabilities of each town. The Prestolee area, near Kearsley, is particularly significant due to the presence of Prestolee Locks, a series of locks that were engineered to manage the elevation changes along the canal. These locks facilitated the smooth passage of cargo through varying levels of the canal, which was an engineering marvel at the time.
Prestolee Locks and Aqueduct
One of the most impressive features of this area is the Prestolee Aqueduct, which carries the canal over the River Irwell. This stone structure is a testament to the engineering prowess of the period and remains a point of interest for both historians and engineers. Alongside the aqueduct, the Prestolee Locks are another focal point, demonstrating the complex water management systems used to navigate the canal’s elevation.
Decline and Restoration
By the mid-20th century, the importance of canals had waned with the advent of rail and road transport, leading to the decline of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal. Many sections of the canal fell into disrepair, including areas around Prestolee. However, the latter part of the 20th century and the early 21st century have seen renewed interest in the canal’s heritage and potential for leisure use.
Efforts for restoration have been spearheaded by local groups passionate about preserving and revitalizing the canal. These initiatives aim to restore navigability where possible and promote the canal corridor as a recreational and wildlife area. The area around Prestolee has benefited from these efforts, with improved pathways and the restoration of some of the historical features.
Today’s Prestolee
Today, the Prestolee area near Kearsley offers a picturesque setting that attracts walkers, cyclists, and history enthusiasts. The canal’s paths provide scenic views and a peaceful environment for outdoor activities. The historical structures, including the locks and aqueduct, offer a glimpse into the industrial past and serve as educational points for visitors interested in the engineering and industrial history of the region.
The ongoing restoration projects continue to enhance the area’s appeal, contributing to the conservation of this important historical asset and providing a space for community engagement and environmental stewardship. Thus, the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal at Prestolee near Kearsley stands as a symbol of industrial history and modern regeneration, bridging the past with the future in this part of North West England.
There are great places to visit near Prestolee including some great towns, hills, hiking areas, old mines, ancient sites, round cairns, ruins, historic sites, lakes, historic monuments, rivers and streams, woodlands, geological features, historic buildings, nature reserves, villages, country parks, waterfalls, events, bluebell woods, sssis, parks, shopping centres, gardens, canals, cities, museums, disused railway lines, moated sites and airports.
Bolton, Westhoughton, Horwich, Little Lever, Salford Quays, Rochdale, and Littleborough are some of Prestolee best towns to visit near Prestolee.
Winter Hill, Winter Hill Summit, Adam Hill, Crooked Edge Hill, Whimberry Hill, The Great Knoll, and Burnt Edge are some of Prestolee best hills to visit near Prestolee.
Shaly Dingle, Winter Hill Summit, Hole Bottom, Hole Bottom Mining Area, Crooked Edge Hill, Whimberry Hill, and Burnt Edge are some of Prestolee best hiking areas to visit near Prestolee.
The area around Prestolee features a number of interesting old mines including Shaly Dingle, Winter Hill Mines, Winter Hill Tunnel, Rivington Moor Colliery (ruin), Rivington Moor Brickworks (ruin), Hole Bottom Mining Area, and Wildersmoor Pit Kilns (ruin).
Winter Hill Tumulus, White Brow Cairn, Noon Hill, Two Lads, Hanging Stone, Rivington Cup Marked Stone, and Rainsough Hill Camp are great places to visit near Prestolee if you like ancient sites.
The area around Prestolee features a number of interesting round cairns including Winter Hill Tumulus, White Brow Cairn, and Noon Hill.
The area around Prestolee boasts some of the best ruins including Rivington Moor Brickworks (ruin), Winter Hill Brick and Tile Works, Ouzel Hall (site of), Wildersmoor Pit Kilns (ruin), Prospect (ruin), Rivington Moor Bell Pits (ruin), and Burnt Edge Colliery (ruin).
The area around Prestolee features a number of interesting historic sites including Hole Bottom, Winter Hill Brick and Tile Works, and Hole Bottom Mining Area.
There are a several good lakes in the Prestolee area like Reservoir Of Dean Mills, The Turton Reservoirs, Turton and Entwistle Reservoir, Jumbles Reservoir, Wayoh Reservoir, Rivington Lakes And Reservoirs, and Yarrow Reservoir.
Prestolee's best nearby historic monuments can be found at Two Lads, Holy Well Spring, Bury Castle, Worsley Green Monument, and Hyde War Memorial.
Don't miss Rushtons Brook, Holden's Brook, Stones Bank Brook, Cadshaw Brook, Roscow Clough, Dean Brook, and Raveden Brook's rivers and streams if visiting the area around Prestolee.
Fox Hill Plantation, Ousel Nest Quarry, Walker Fold Woods, Raveden Clough, Roscow's Tenement Clough, Dean Wood - Rivington, and Rivington Hall Wood are some of Prestolee best woodlands to visit near Prestolee.
Prestolee's best nearby geological features can be found at Jumbles Fossil Tree, Fairy Battery, The Margery Flags at Rivington Pike, Tigers Clough, and Jepsons Clough.
The area around Prestolee boasts some of the best historic buildings including Bradshaw Brook Viaduct, Turton Tower, Prospect Tower, Archway at Turton Tower, Medieval Style Railway Bridge at Turton Tower, Smithills Hall, and Sheephouse Farm.
Don't miss Ousel Nest Quarry, Doffcocker Lodge, Nob End SSSI, Leverhulme Park, Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, Aspull Sough, and Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve's nature reserves if visiting the area around Prestolee.
Villages to visit near Prestolee include Cadshaw, Rivington, Barrow Bridge, Bromley Cross, Chapeltown, Darcy Lever, and Whelley.
Prestolee has some unmissable country parks nearby like Smithills Country Park, Moses Gate Country Park, Cutacre Country Park, Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, Hollingworth Country Park, Haigh Country Park, and Pennington Flash.
Prestolee's best nearby waterfalls can be found at Roscow Clough Waterfall, Smithills Hall Park Waterfall, Langshaw Ford Weir, Raveden Clough Waterfall, Raveden Plantation Waterfall, Yarrow Reservoir Overflow Cascade, and Upper Rivington Reservoir Yarrow Outflow.
Rivington Pike Easter is a great place to visit close to Prestolee if you like events.
The area around Prestolee boasts some of the best bluebell woods including Dean Wood - Rivington, Rivington Hall Wood, Horrocks Wood, Old House Ground Plantation, and Etherow Country Park.
The area close to Prestolee boasts some of the best sssis including Nob End SSSI.
The area around Prestolee boasts some of the best parks including Queens Park, Hall Lee Bank Park, Moss Bank Park, Wythenshawe Park and Gardens, Gorton Park, Debdale Park, and Heaton Park.
The area around Prestolee boasts some of the best shopping centres including Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park, Manchester Christmas Markets, The Trafford Centre, and Manchester Arndale.
The Rock Garden, The Walled Garden at Moss Bank, and RHS Garden Bridgewater are some of Prestolee best gardens to visit near Prestolee.
The area around Prestolee features a number of interesting canals including Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal at Prestolee, The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Haigh, Top Lock at Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Crooke, The Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Shevington, Rochdale Canal Western Section, and Bridgewater Canal.
Salford, and Manchester are some of Prestolee best cities to visit near Prestolee.
There are a number of museums near Prestolee including Salford Museum and Art Gallery, The Imperial War Museum Salford, and Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green.
The Old Whelley Line, Lancashire Union Joint Line, Ringley Road Station (ruin), Clifton - Accrington and Colne Line (disused), and Linnyshaw Loopline are great places to visit near Prestolee if you like disused railway lines.
The area close to Prestolee boasts some of the best moated sites including Wigan Golf Club.
Prestolee is near some unmissable airports like Manchester Airport,
Prestolee History
There are some historic monuments around Prestolee:
