Higher Wheelton Aqueduct

Great example of the previous generations engineering work

Looks interesting... Can you get to it from the canal.? Thanks for any info x

THE THIRLMERE VIADUCT IS A SMALL VIADUCT IN HIGHER WHEELTON, LANCASHIRE WITH SIX ARCHES, THE CENTRE ONE BEING SLIGHTLY WIDER THAN THE OTHER FIVE. THE VIADUCT IS A PIONEERING SECTION OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM BUILT BY THE MANCHESTER CORPORATION WATER WORKS BETWEEN 1890 AND 1925. THE WATER PIPELINE IS ALMOST 96 MILES (154 KM) LONG FROM THIRLMERE RESERVOIR IN CUMBRIA TO HEATON PARK RESERVOIR IN MANCHESTER. IT IS THE LONGEST GRAVITY-FED AQUEDUCT IN THE COUNTRY, WITH NO PUMPS ALONG ITS ROUTE. THE WATER FLOWS AT A SPEED OF 4 MILES PER HOUR (6 KM/H) AND TAKES JUST OVER A DAY TO REACH MANCHESTER. THE LEVEL OF THE AQUEDUCT DROPS BY APPROXIMATELY 20 INCHES PER MILE (30 CM/KM) OF ITS LENGTH.

This is the Thirlmere Aqueduct, which happens to be in Higher Wheelton. A true feat of Victorian engineering. Definitely worth a visit, if you are interested in historical buildings. It is a visible part of a 96 mile long aqueduct that was built between 1890 and 1925 to serve the growing demand for water in post-industrial revolution Manchester. Most of the time the aqueduct is hidden underground, this part is visible because the aqueduct had to pass over a valley. It brings over 220 million litres of clean drinking water from the Lake District to Manchester during a 36 hour journey. It is the longest gravity-fed aqueduct in the world and, if its tunnel section was continuous, it would be the longest tunnel in the world.

When wet, the ground under the viaduct can be very muddy. The top is fenced off. Head down to the canal, then it is more easily accessible.