Let's Go

Portland Basin Museum has always been a great place to visit, but now there are walking and cycling routes starting from the museum, showing you what great countryside and heritage there is to discover on your doorstep.

Walking

You can enjoy the tranquility of the Peak Forest Canal and River Tame on a four mile walk with the chance of a glimpse of a kingfisher. The three mile ‘Three Canals and a River’ takes in parts of the Ashton, Huddersfield Narrow and Peak Forest canals and the River Tame and passes through some hidden gems. The two mile walk in the heart of Industrial Ashton looks back to the Victorian age and its legacy.

Download the ‘History and Heritage’ trail.  A two mile walk discovering the Industrial past of Ashton under Lyne	Download the ‘Heart of the Tame Valley’ trail.  A four mile walk along tranquil canal and river.	Download the ‘Three Canals and a River’ trail.  A three mile walk along the Ashton, Huddersfield Narrow, Peak Forest canals and River Tame.

Cycling

The two bike rides are ideal for families or new cyclists. The towpaths have been resurfaced, making the four and five mile routes easy to cycle.

Along the Peak Forest Canal, you can see Plantation Farm, with its Dr. Livingstone connection, and the 16th century Old Hall Chapel. Just off the canal is Newton Hall, one of Britain’s oldest medieval cruck-frames buildings.

On the Ashton Canal you can see Victorian mills and even older, the Fairfield Moravian Settlement dating back to 1785 is a haven of peace in the midst of urban Tameside.

Download ‘Pedal Ashton Canal’  An easy five mile ride to the Fairfield Moravian Settlement and back.	Download‘Pedal Peak Forest Canal’  An easy four mile ride to our medieval past and back.

Exploring

Make a den, make a nest, go on a nature hunt, look for mini-beasts or make a mud pie. There are plenty of ideas and games in our ‘Let’s go Exploring’ booklet for you to enjoy a family day out in the countryside.

Between the Humpback Weaver's Rest Bridge and the Lift Bridge along the Peak Forest Canal, there are 12 posts with canal and nature related metal plaques. See if you can find them all. They are great for doing rubbings.

Download ‘Let’s go Exploring’	Download the 'Nature Post Trail'