Exploring the Forbidden Manchester Ship Canal

A hurried 18-mile round-trip walking tour of the Manchester Ship Canal from Runcorn to the remote Stanlow Island, not far from its final point at Eastham Locks. This stretch is extremely difficult to access on foot but features some unique views of the Mersey Estuary and the chemical plants and oil refineries of the area.
Stanlow Island has its own curious history, and is virtually inaccessible to the public. Having a nosy around the island was my aim, but would that be possible or has nature finally reclaimed it?
All credit for the song "Runcorn" to Andy Yates by the way. I saw it performed live years ago and ever since I can't hear the name of the town without hearing the song!
Support me on Patreon for added extras and exclusive content:
/ beeherenow
If you like the video and want to show some support, how about buying me a brew. Thanks!
www.buymeacoffee.com/Beeherenow

[@shabbysuse7821]

Amazing to see Stanlow Island, my uncle was in the Ship Canal Police and lived on the Island with his family and brought up 3 daughters there. My sister and I spent many summer holidays with them and I have incredible memories of the place. They lived in the left hand cottage of the left hand pair, they had a great big garden to the side with walls of the monastry tumbling all over it.

[@SairyFairy]

Its mad to see parts of the UK that have just been left to rot, just thinking about how busy they once were and the state they are in now. Everyone's all off living different lives now and nobody bothers to fix it up, but what a heritage! Not enough people care about this stuff

[@neonskyline1]

very true, Britain is quite neglected

[@geraintowen2947]

Very true, but personally I reckon its mostly down to cost rather than people not being interested in preservation. And I suppose given how much Britain was once industrialised it would be impossible and impractical to save most of it. Have a great day all!!! 👍

[@tomfreeman650]

Blame Peel Holdings who own it

[@YorkyOne]

@@neonskyline1 No it isn't.

[@nigelericogden3200]

True word.

[@morrisminor56]

Sailed up that canal 2 times in 1980 bringing wood pulp from Norway to a paper mill up there, on a 1100 ton coaster.

[@Pwecko]

That would have been Bowaters. Long gone now.

[@grahamwalker6395]

Many years ago I was attending a class for a specific haulage qualification, held in the upstairs room of a pub in Manchester. My attention was distracted one day by a ship passing directly behind the houses on the other side of the road. I had no idea the canal was there and I thought I was hallucinating at first!

[@KenWard2015]

Superb video bringing back lots of memories from 1960 when the Canal was full of great ships. I went on a school trip from Bolton. It was a Bolton Corporation bus to Salford Docks where we got the "Egremont" all the way down the Canal and across the Mersey to the Landing Stage. From there we walked to Exchange Station then catching a train back to Bolton which was pulled by a "Crab" class steam loco. I did take two rolls of film in my tiny Boots 35mm camera, sadly none of the photos survived the years but the memories are there.

[@colinardron198]

The Egremont!! I recall a school trip from Manchester/Salford docks along the Ship Canal back in 1954, and it was on the Egremont.

[@kristhomad5635]

That Runcorn song is going to be stuck in my head forever now 😂 🎶

[@leebrewtea9339]

Great video. Nice to see old buildings left and not covered in spray paint. Brilliant engineering to control water.

[@analiensaturn]

My friend and i were chased down the length of that in 1966 by 2 cops, we were on the run from approved school. They beat the crap out of us when they caught us. Sad to see it like that.

[@alisonwilliams4862]

Bloomin heck - that could never happen today! 😳

[@sorryrocco]

Which school were you in Manchester?

[@RustyOrange71]

It's a really fascinating documentary, well presented. Thank you. Your own music is a really nice touch too. Maybe you should write to some of the land owners, property managers and security firms (they could point you to the right people) to request access to explore the history of the area further. You'd be surprised how many doors will open if you just knock :) A great show and interesting comments too.

[@gerrycooper56]

I’ve been up and down the canal by ship in the late 70s. Some of our ships were built specifically for the ship canal and included removable top funnel sections. There use to be a funnel storage area, maybe at Runcorn where you would leave your section and pick it up on the way back.

[@chrislaarman7532]

So have I, Gerry. See my top-level comment. :-)

[@geoffbreen2386]

Amazing to hear that.

[@gerrycooper56]

@@geoffbreen2386 if you Google Manchester ship canal some of the ship pictures show the telescopic masts as well.

[@barrypearson810]

I went down to the swing bridge that leads to Wigg Island this morning as I was curious about the access to the gantry wall. The gate that you probably went through is now locked and has a new sign on it stating ‘Caution , No Pedestrians’. Great video , thank you for capturing it before the jobsworths stopped anybody else from sharing your adventure.

[@jameshiggins1703]

I think my uncle used to work in that hut . I vaguely remember going to work with him one day when I was a kid . Remember getting into a little motor boat taking us across the canal. I always still think about it now and again how exciting it was when I was a kid . And playing around there whilst he was working. I left Runcorn when I was 21. Moved down south been here for 32 years . Wow that brought back a few memories. I also used to swim in the canal after school in the summer with me mates . Crazy days looking back the age we were . But I guess that was the norm back in them days . Cheers for the upload. 👍🏻

[@toastnotoflondon8500]

Apparently "Loach" Cargo vessel was uilt in 1968 Still bobbing around Liverpool & Birkenhead.

[@svy99n]

I used to run on Cargo ships up to Eccles on the Canal in the Mid 80's.

[@conwyvalleymaze8419]

Absolutely captivating. Having had many happy childhood memories , spent with my father, in his families business (Val’s Cafe), immediately below the Liverpool Warehouse in Trafford park. Wedged between the Manchester and Bridgewater canals. Passenger trips on the swing bridge, and happy smiling dock workers enjoying a snack .... not forgetting the terror of being lifted onto the footplate of a live steam shunting engine, outside the cafe doors ! Thanks x

[@andyshacks7812]

That was so interesting. Also really sad to see so much amazing engineering abandoned like those lock gates. Brilliant vid. Thanks !

[@4evaDay]

Thank you for doing this. This is a breath of fresh air. I was sooo gutted after the last video. I appreciate this

[@bertdingle]

Over a week later and I am still singing the Runcorn song......

[@chrislaarman7532]

Thank you, Ollie! I've been intrigued by the MSC ever since I sailed it in 1976 as an apprentice with Dutch Shell Tankers. Once all the way to Barton and back, once to Stanlow where I changed ships. Dutch Shell Tankers had a class of three ships (Cinulia, Crania, nn) built to just fit the locks on the MSC. They had a dedicated accomodation for the canal pilot that would stay on board for the return trip. They would carry some halfway product for lubricating oil from the refinery in Willemstad (Curaçao) to these chemical works along the MSC, and sometimes make a little detour from that line service.

[@karaloca]

Pity they couldn’t make this more accessible, I’d love to be able to walk or cycle along it. From Manchester to Liverpool would be great.

[@juppa]

I've had that Runcorn song stuck in my head since watching this a week ago..

[@humanflotsam]

Another fascinating video, I love the fact that you happily admit you don't know something and present what you are seeing without overinterpretation. Thanks.

[@flyingfox7854]

Great video ........ this is a great example of natural and man made resources going to waste ...... these waterways could be a major tourist attraction for the north west and Runcorn in particular, especially if we get the old canal flight of locks reinstated that connects the Runcorn branch of the Bridgewater canal to the ship canal, if that ever happens it would be awesome for Runcorn ....... but I wouldn’t hold your breath as we all know if it doesn’t involve Widnes then it doesn’t happen .........

[@edmundsveikutis1698]

I couldn’t agree more,it makes me think of the wall at Holyhead. Such a waste.And what do we get , a pig in a poke yuppie train.

[@flyingfox7854]

@@edmundsveikutis1698 do you mean the Breakwater surrounding Holyhead Harbour ? I learned to sail in Holyhead Harbour back in the 1960’s when I was a young lad of 13 years old ..... I was in the Sea Cadets in Manchester (T.S. Trafalgar on Grey Street) we used to have a week in the summer staying at the Sea Cadet base opposite the Coastguard Station ..... for a city boy like me it was heaven. Memories of fishing for crabs off the old stone jetty and putting them into the chief petty officers bunk .... The only downside was being on the safety boat duty when everyone else was sailing as it was a big old whaler that needed rowing (no outboard motor in those days) I think it had 4 sets of oars which meant 8 cadets rowing 1 coxswain and an officer in charge ..... after a day’s rowing you got big bloody blisters ..... happy days 😀

[@jamesjohnmoss8130]

I agree, this is just a waste, this could be made into a major tourist attraction, clean it up, sign post it, regenerate some of the older buildings, advertise the history and people will visit!

[@flyingfox7854]

@@jamesjohnmoss8130 exactly .... so much potential just begging for some investment and support .... A historical river and an historical (ship) canal right next to each other ..... where else in the world can you find that !

[@missmerrily4830]

Taking us to locations we never thought we’d see. Just fascinating and a true spirit of adventure. Thank you!

[@tracya4087]

hear hear

[@mikeclare5907]

Good day to you, Mike from County Durham, was drawn to clicking on your video. I was brought up in Latchford in the 60's and remember doing walks and playing around the lock area, enjoying the ships. Dad operated the swing bridge at Latchford. Thanks for sharing your walk, cheers, Mike.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

I Love this Video. If I had a place close by I would take that walk or paddle my Kyak there every day and never get tired of it. I especially love the old Locks and the brick structures including the Church. The Geese are music to my ears.

[@johncranwell3783]

I absolutely loved this! Thank you so much for sharing your adventure, I love going on these little explorations with a mix of natural and old industrial... take care and thanks again. John

[@robertrawlinson8353]

SO JEALOUS!! i used to live in the village of Elton, always took my dogs down to the marshes and always wanted to gain access to the strip of land you walked...well done

[@JR-SCOOT]

What a fascinating video. I lived for a short while in Warrington as a youngster and remember large ships sailing along the canal dwarfing the terrace houses. This brought back some good memories for me.

[@superyachtchef]

Yo - dude, love to explore here in Florida, and found this very entertaining. Banging accent 5.9 🏅 Btw - its mating season for the geese/goose -

[@MarkJT1000]

Well done and thank you for satisfying my own long standing curiosity about that strip of land. A mixture of abandoned industry, weird landscapes and them infernal brambles. Had a feeling you might try it again after your last attempt. As there are sheep on some of that land a farmer must get there somehow to tend them.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much. Yes the farmer has their own boat and they let birdwatchers cross the canal every so often to survey the birds in the bay

[@itsmyireland]

I have to say I thought you a nut job at the start , but I have to say I enjoyed your video,thank you for taken the time and effort to make it. The lock gates and huts were cool. That's some work you did,hat off to you sir

[@robwynne1684]

Great Video! In the 80's I worked at the now demolished Ince B power station and we had a dock on the MS Canal where the oil was delivered, spent lots of time hanging out (hard working!) down there. I'm from Ellesmere Port originally, there was always a rumour of a tunnel from the monastery to Ellesmere Port .and a family friend always swore they had a friendly monk spirit who lived in their house. As kids we'd hang around at Eastham locks waiting for the big ships to go through!

[@likeher9]

Cheers Ollie That was engrossing stuff! I, like you love this kind of exploring, heavy industry, history, and nature claiming back the borrowed. Not watched one of your films for 3-4 months now, sorry mate had a major operation. Watching this reminded Me just how brilliant you, and your films are! Thanks again mate, outstanding. Daron

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Daron. Sorry to hear about your operation. Glad you liked the video. All the best 👍🏽

[@DanielArnolf]

Thank you so much for the effort and for sharing those amazing places that can never be seen up close without people you like you. Great tour !!

[@lawrencelowe193]

Absolutely love what you're doing and the wonderful effort in which you do it. Really appreciate the information. Thank you..✌

[@tiger175]

Just discovered your vlogs and very impressed. Have got here because of my interest in canals. Hope to learn more around Manchester and beyond. Your knowledge (or research) is amazing.

[@cavisco]

OMG I had so much fun taking this walk with you. Thank you so much!

[@havingalook2]

Thank you! I so enjoyed your walk. I have done the Manchester Ship Canal journey from Salford, docking then in Liverpool. You filled in many of the questions I had about the bits and islands we saw along the way. 18 miles you covered and I enjoyed your fine efforts. Cheers

[@dizzydashounds6869]

Absolutely brilliant thanks for taking the time to do this. You should be on the TV with more stuff like This. Extremely informative and interesting, thanks again good watch.

[@philquine]

I absolutely adore your videos, but they often make my stomach churn. I wouldn’t have the bottle to do that, especially alone! So keep up the brilliant work and I think I’ll stick to my transport videos. 😂

[@richardlangly4635]

Really enjoyed this video. Not sure how I came across your channel but you've earned a new subscriber. Thank you for going to the effort of walking all that way and showing us bits of the canal and surrounds we normally don't get to see.

[@syncrosimon]

Thanks so much for filming your adventure 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@PinnedonPlaces]

Really enjoyed this exploration, thank you for showing us :)

[@lifeschool]

Fascinating stuff. I almost wish you had brought a portable dingy and then you could just inflate it and sail back home instead of the long walk. I can only imagine you slept like a log.

[@tensils]

Thanks mate , enjoyed it !

[@stevehulse4005]

Fascinating video giving a totally different perspective on familiar landmarks, and holds a lot of personal memories for me of where I grew up.

[@willowwillow7112]

A very enjoyable video. The effort of the walk was obvious and more enjoyable as you were were obviously loving the explore. Thanks for the effort

[@lappylappy7269]

Superb documentary.Thank you for sharing it

[@davidmills636]

Fascinating - thank you!

[@SairyFairy]

Get this man on BBC4!

[@simonjames2855]

Thanks for sharing this experience, loved the Runcorn song!

[@jamesjohnmoss8130]

A cooling tower “ that’s quite cool”!

[@jowadahmed732]

Thankyou for your efforts ! It was amazing to see the old lock gates !

[@ourwetdogs106]

Great vid thanks, a slice of history. Life moves on and nature and geese take over.

[@mikeoglen6848]

That was Stupendous.

[@pscott000]

Another fantastic video.

[@angeg1587]

Excellent video, my curiosity is now satisfied !!

[@GavTatu]

What a fascinating adventure !

[@christopherfranklin972]

Very enjoyable upload,your efforts were not wasted!

[@leswall3061]

Great information, well done you for sharing

[@johntisbury]

Thank you for making this video, very interesting.

[@stuartnicholls1569]

Fascinating a bit of the world which like so many I have only seen from afar, such an interesting walk thanks for sharing it with us.

[@yungpep]

This is another great video, well done lad. Look forward to the next one.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@jimmyviaductophilelawley5587]

Hi Olly thanks again for going the extra mile...literally! Great work mate and thankyou for the image at 3:16....it's the exact spot I want my ashes scattered! Best wishes and take care mate

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thank you once again! 👍🏼

[@BenjaminSorvel]

This is so exciting to watch for me, this is where I grew up! 😂 There's some superb stuff just inland from where you started this video! Keep up the good work!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thanks! I've definitely developed a soft spot for Runcorn after this

[@alisonlee3314]

Another fabulous video 🙂🙂. I really appreciate the hard work and research behind them x

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks Alison 😁

[@slw0599]

Great video, interesting stuff..well done!👍

[@deeceecorfield8103]

Brilliant, thank you.

[@robinnicholson4009]

Watched again..even better!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks! Much obliged

[@solarbuduk]

Really fascinating stuff!! Incredible the amount of effort that went into constructing facilities which are now disused, like those redundant locks.

[@janiecakes851]

I’m fascinated with your documentary. I stubbed across it unexpectedly through a fb group. I was trying to find memories I have of the Orlando locks walkover back in the 80s. I would cross from Flixton with my Mum to go to do some shopping and everytime, terrified of falling in the canal. Lol there was no safety rules enforced. The crossing had a path with 6 inch cracks along with a flimsy safety chain connected by thin poles. Any child or adult could have went over the side with one nice push of wind 😂😂😂😂. I can not even believe how terrified I used to be. The good old days, I don’t recall seeing any ships pass through or the lock opening but I was young, still remember seeing a pigs head floating in the waters to this day , the smell was awful too but I’d give anything to go back and cross that lock again one last time with my Mum and that old shopping buggy. Thank you so much for the video.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Wow that's brave at that age!

[@noelgains8433]

Amazing glad I found your channel

[@TheHorsebox2]

Most entertaining, sir. Thank you.

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you

[@JK-ck5gg]

That was great, I remember your first venture along there in summer. What an interesting place. You got far. Well done Ollie. That’s a good video.

[@SamHampson1992]

Really interesting video, thanks for sharing!

[@getyerspn]

Fascinating .. great video

[@alecoldroyd6213]

Brilliant stuff! I worked down the Ship Canal a few times in the 70s in a Leeds Liverpool shortboat. We returned empty to Liverpool that way, to load grain for BOCM at Manchester. We had to do the trip back on the Bridgewater as the MSC co wouldn't let such old and tiny boats up the canal loaded! The bit between Hulme and the mill obviously didn't count! I could have sworn there was a bridge between Runcorn and Stanlow, but obviously it was a ferry! How did the sheep get there???

[@garyt6747]

Thats brilliant. Thank you for your efforts and an enlightening piece of history.Its not that far from me and you have answered many questions. Cheers matey 👍

[@chrisbarratt4622]

That was really good! I'm from the midlands, don't know the area, but it was a great watch, keep up the good work!

[@SarahElizabeth79924]

Really enjoyed this video, I found it whilst trying to find out more about standlow island. Thank you 🙏

[@owdengineer]

superb, well done for completing a challenging walk. So very interesting!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@joeblogs5163]

I used to live in Widnes, a long time ago, I cycled along there must have been in the 80's, it was a lot easier to pass then. Surprising how its changed so much since then. I even went up the river wearer arm, along to the swing bridge, just as you get into Frodsham, next to the boneyard.

[@wendydee3007]

Oh, was that the boneyard where they made glue, and it used to really smell so bad?!

[@dogtrackable]

Just finished watching all your videos. Very informative and extremely interesting. Left M/C in '83, lived at the top of the lane from Jacksons Boat. Barely recognise the city now. Anyway, great work and a big thank you. Looking forward to future publications.

[@bendover5918]

Really nice video. We're so lucky to have such an amazing city to explore.

[@steviegTVreturns]

I really enjoyed this video Ollie, thanks for going to such great efforts to show that side of the Canal. The MSC has always fascinated me, more because I grew up near one of the Swing Bridges in Warrington and often saw the ships passing. It’s easy to see and understand the navigation of the Canal eastbound from Runcorn through WarrIngton and Salford before ending in Manchester, however I like many have never seen much of it west of Runcorn through to Eastham. I’m fascinated that there was a small community on that side of the Canal where land did permit. Such a shame there’s a lot of stuff rotting, but good it hasn’t been removed. Keep up the good work!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Cheers thanks glad you liked it! I love the MSC

[@stevespeake1]

My Wife just showed me this video via our TV. Wow this is amazing thank you. Have subscribed now. Steve - Runcorn.

[@johnh6219]

Great this Always wanted to walk that route !

[@theowdgit9790]

I'm impressed so far keep it up 👍

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

What a great video well done you. That's amazing

[@edgeyt1]

During the war my dad was in the Royal Signals, one of the jobs he worked on was setting up attempts to confuse German night time bombers about the location of the Manchester Ship Canal - did the same sort of thing at Donnington too.

[@EportChris]

Brilliant piece mate. Something I've also wanted to achieve for many years too..you've fulfilled my dream of having a mooch around over that side of the canal 😁

[@zarmer16]

I really enjoyed your latest video, what a long walk! But so interesting. well done and keep em coming!

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thank you!

[@secondhandexperience]

Awesome, thanks for sharing your adventure! I really liked your general style with the additional information, feels like watching a documentary

[@BeeHereNowuk]

Thanks very much

[@billhorrocks2611]

“Ham baker” was stamped on a bit of “machinery” in you video, they are still going and make Penstocks (mini sluice gates if you will) and I have used/fitted them at work. Just a bit of useless information for you! Ha

[@BeeHereNowuk]

That's quite interesting actually thanks for sharing 😁

[@andrewhicks6131]

@@BeeHereNowuk "Ham Baker" was an old Black Country heavy steel manufactory in Oldbury (near Birmingham) when I was a kid. It was about 2 minutes walk from where I lived. I didn't know that they are still going! The Oldbury plant closed in the 70's I think.

[@train4905]

Amazing😊

[@texnicholls]

great video keep them coming

[@teddyshepherd2854]

Ollie, just bumped into you. Great vlog, professional production and extremely interesting. Looking forward to catching up with the rest of your uploads. Thank you, much appreciated.

[@francisgribben6931]

I passed through this lock in the mid sixties. It allowed shallow draught vessels to enter the Mersey river and take pressure off Eastham locks.

[@martinkavanagh9641]

That was a mighty effort into an unknown adventure sort-of bleak around there eh. Thanks for sharing.