No water at the Nob end canal locks

This video is about the history of the Manchester Bury Bolton canal. We take a look at the disused Canal locks at Nob end or the Prestolee locks as they are otherwise known. We look at the famous Meccano bridge placed in 2012 and also the old lock basin. Finally we look at some beautiful historic architecture in the Prestolee aqueduct built in 1793 in the Georgian period at the height of the canal building frenzy and the start of the Industrial revolution in Britain. We also look at an old Pack horse bridge one of the latest ones built in Britain. This is a historic canal adventure.

[@GerardMarsh-bw1lg]

Brings back memories. I have 3 photos of the sunken boats with coal boxes inside them taken in circa 1978. Another cracking video from Martin Zero.

[@cassandrade-wolfe6926]

This is where I used to play as a kid. Love this video. I'm now going to have to binge watch all your videos to catch up. Fabulous 👍

[@MartinZero]

Hope you enjoy Cassandra 👍

[@JenniferEKirk]

It’s a really interesting area. I’m hoping the canal society do manage to restore it all. Always enjoy a Sunday night Martin video!

[@DR-xr8so]

Far from a Nob End, James is looking super sharp this week!

[@dawnlovejoy8917]

😂

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

I thought he was doing a video of Boris Johnson from the title.

[@richardstuart325]

Lovely idea of the day trip on a boat with a stop at the tea rooms. Simple pleasure that would apply just as well today.

[@markparden5440]

I grew up in Kearsley and this brings back memories. Used to hang around the canal and river as kids. Loved climbing on the sewer bridge and exploring the area. My grandad also taught me loads on the local history and the canal collapse. Great video!

[@ken-austin]

Good stuff. Love the canals, active and not so active. Glad you shared a few outtakes too. Cheers.

[@mrfordfairmont]

the bloopers are always good laugh and it show that you are human

[@sarahwinfield3989]

Once again an excellent informative video. I know more about our industrial history than I ever knew before I began watching them This one was particularly enjoyable as the infrastructure around the bridges and locks is well preserved. Thank you

[@geoffdecorator307]

All this and no more than ten minutes from my place too ,surrounded by unseen history i am .

[@Peter-MH]

Great stuff as always! Never get tired of seeing impressive old engineering feats that are now abandoned and left in ruins - especially when there are old photos of them in their glory days! Love it!

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Brilliant...! I love that Meccano bridge. It would be good to see the canal back in use...

[@MartinZero]

The MBB Canal society are trying to sort it John

[@johnstilljohn3181]

@@MartinZero I'll have a look at their website...

[@colin5296]

I love bridges too .Its personal Thing ! Like the bloopers ,once the giggles start that's it.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah, I couldnt talk right that day 😯

[@weyayemanjoe3082]

Another great one Martin & James, loving that meccno stuff 👍👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Joe

[@wacholder5690]

My favourite way to end a sunday: watching Martin's video. And even the outtakes are entertaining. Thanks again for sharing !

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@JohnSmith-zv8km]

Was at University in Salford until 1980 and was completely unaware of all this interesting stuff. Really wish we had the internet in those days. Thanks for doing the work to bring this to us, much appreciated.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks John

[@jezm1703]

Another great video on this canal. Very interesting and I haven't laughed so much in ages with the outtakes 😄. Well done and 'Run James' !!

[@davidallen2058]

Thanks for this guys. You showed a few details that other videos have missed.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks David

[@keithallen4313]

the videos get better and better and are a great Sunday night watch.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Keith

[@chascarpenter5006]

Brilliant, both of you, ''the out takes'' said it all, yes, i get tonged tied, bein dislextic is even worse, the Meccano bridge is ace, one place i must visit, thank you, Chas. Brum.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Chas

[@totherarf]

Just to make you pucker up at the thought, I'll tell you how they used to "Cap" those old pits! 1. Cut a suitable tree down leaving the branches on. 2. Drag the tree to the pit. 3. Drop the tree into the pit trunk first. 4. Get someone to push the tree as far down as you can compressing the branches. 5. Fill with stone chunks. 6. Hope nobody stands on top of it after the tree has rotted. Not an Elf or a Safety to be seen!

[@MartinZero]

Sounds good to me

[@JackFowlesJF]

My new greatest fear is walking over one which hasn't been fenced off...

[@totherarf]

@@JackFowlesJF There is nothing sure, but not walking in circular "dips" in otherwise level ground is a good move!

[@Charstring]

Researching my family tree I found that a relation died falling down a disused pit in 1842 (just a kid, he'd been running backwards trying to fly a kite). The paper said two other people had fallen down the same pit and been killed, so the owner was thinking about maybe capping the shaft.

[@Tom_Bee_]

Surely, a little bit of a fence and a sign that says "danger of owwy slow painful doom. Please don't" would work better at a fraction of the effort and expense?

[@louisemetcalf725]

Fab as always , I love your videos and all the information you give us , it's great to see my home town and and all the amazing historical places , you make it so much fun . I live in South West Wales now so love the nostalgia your videos give . Please do more bloopers too I bloody loved that addition ! If your ever over this way give me a shout and I'll stick the kettle on 😉...thanks for sharing 😍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Louise, we will have to pop down for a brew

[@simonmcowan6874]

That was brilliant, and the brick at the end, for us plinthologists was a bonus.

[@MartinZero]

Why Plastic on it ?

[@simonmcowan6874]

I found Enfield Plastic Accrington, seems to be an advertising move for thier bricks, usual Victorian over estimation of the product. Nice to see, also I notice the red brick is only a two tier soldier course on the face, not all the way through the arch, no idea why, but a great video, throughly enjoyed it.

[@simonmcowan6874]

I notice you and adventure me walk over bricks, names on them of the makers are an amazing insight in that where did they come from, I'm in West Wales, a stroll around and a look in yards, skips, and when out houses are being demolished will reveal a trove of foreign bricks, here we have domestic buildings and a major railway station made with bricks from all over the place, some by sailing ship from North Wales, some by rail from there and England when the railway came here, so basically each brick has a history, why is it there is the big question, I've over 250 named bricks each with a history, so the next time you trip over one, wonder where it came from, it will add to your story.

[@steverpcb]

Love the out takes at the end :) I am suprised that James May has not featured that Mecano bridge !

[@MartinZero]

Oh yeah hes a toy freak isnt he

[@steverpcb]

@@MartinZero He Built a Mecano lifting bridge.

[@darreno9874]

Great video as usual. I don't dislike the new sewer Bridge but not in this lovely location. The old sewer Bridge was much more interesting. Keep up the good work. God bless

[@robertschmitz8036]

As always ,I am a groupie for these pieces of Manchester history. As always seeing James a welcome addition to your work,after all he is a regular now. Someone must make the tea! As I see this old unused lock system,my mind like yours sees the canal workers ,and I so respect the navy! I get that wealthy industrialists financed much of the network,but they get enough credit. I value the navy and the family depending on him,an injury back then could really hurt a family. As always lads,you smashed it.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Robert

[@martinmarsola6477]

A nice video you and Jimmy put on. See you on the next! Cheers mates! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙂👍🇺🇸

[@MrThorp1]

I LOVE all these old canals and the old industrial infrastructure you still have. By the time the US was industrialized we had trains and the land to build rail. Very few canals. I watch so many narrowboating channels and then to add old/abandoned lines, damn,, id be in heaven

[@DanielleWhite]

The US had several canals in the Northeast but because that's very hilly ground the favorable grade of the abandoned canals was often used for roads. as an example a portion of US RT 6 in the extreme northeast of Pennsylvania runs on the old Delaware and Hudson Canal which occupied a narrow bit of level ground between hills and the Lackawaxen River.

[@MrThorp1]

@@DanielleWhite several... not a lot, like I said. So thanks. We had absolutely nothing like these English canals.

[@jetsons101]

Ah, the TV van and now a tea van. Great intro. The colors on the Meccano bridge have a Medieval feel, bright and garish. Again, your narration and information presentation are top notch. James it's always good to see you in a video. Glad that was a old iron nail and not a old piece of poo left over from the sewer. Thanks to Martin and his team for this fine watch....

[@neilmartin3220]

I'm extremely ill at the moment. Seeing your video pop up has given me a smile. Thank you so much.

[@lone8869]

Sorry to read that. Hope you are feeling better very soon.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Neil. Hope you well soon all the best from Martin & James

[@robdavies7173]

Very interesting, i🎉never get tired of watching your videos

[@pambrown8697]

Love this stuff even though I do not live in the UK....Keep up the great work.

[@TheNapalmFTW]

These videos make me homesick and happy in equal measure, regards, from the colonies

[@triffidgrower]

This was a great watch for me. There would be no disgrace in the "Meccano Bridge" artist trying to peddle another work, in much the same vein, to the City of Liverpool, Meccano's birthplace, would there? I learned my nuts and bolts with Meccano here in Australia about 65 years ago, and this bridge, as a tribute, blew me away. We can not salute innovators such as Frank Hornby enough, in my opinion. His creations inspired many a youngster. Again, thanks for the ongoing peeks at the region of my forbears...✌

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Love Hornby and Meccano

[@shirleylynch7529]

Brilliant film. What an explore. Loved your extra bit at end. Superb documentary. Thank you.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Shirley

[@michaelcarter1963]

You and James are creating some great memories! Great job today mates! Stop running Martin! You’re gonna hurt yourself!

[@peterkilvert2712]

Great video again. Been there a few times when younger. You missed the quaint stretch of canal at the start of the Bolton Branch! I like your use of maps - essential. Pete

[@alanjones4622]

Martin, thanks for your efforts, we now live 1200 miles south at the south eastern end of the alps and I would not now be able to return and explore the areas you are showing in Lancashire and Yorkshire. We have our own sort of industrial/military archeology, the border between Austro/Hungary and Italy during WW1 runs right through our area. Caporetto (now Tolmin) described in Hemingway´s "Farewell to arms" is just up the road. The surrounding hills are full of trenches and fortification remains plus a number of large cemetery´s for the thousands of dead soldiers. There is plenty of shrapnel and bullets that we dig up periodically. One hazard for fire fighters is that in any forest fires there can be exploding hand grenades and other ordnance, even after 100 years. I did find a good use for a 75mm steel shell this year, less the pointy bit of course. It perfectly fits tree stakes and prevents splitting when you hammer them into the ground.

[@CarlosCorreia77]

The bloppers are truly a nice Easter Egg, keep it up! 😄

[@Milkybar3320011]

More bonus bit please - van load of logs 😆 nice insight to all the prep you guys must do.

[@Wedgedoow]

Amazing how the Georgians and Victorians took the pleasure craft to Manchester for a day out. Love the meccano bridge and table, thanks for posting.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Pete, hope to meet up soon

[@Wedgedoow]

Hi Martin, back from holiday in Yorkshire, I'll be looking at bees once a week from now until September it is all weather and temperature dependant. Above 12 degrees, not a lot of wind, I will DM you on Instagram, I'm not expecting you to drop everything and come over. You can tell me if you are free. I have two bee smocks just arrived today, I can put my hands on another as well.

[@dtb2654]

always made me laugh seeing Nob End when looking at the map, great vid Martin, thanks

[@MartinZero]

Fab name

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Should have played Nob end bingo 🤣🤣. Love the canal stuff and those bridges are stunning, love the mecano bridge too 🤩🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱👍🏽

[@MartinZero]

Thanks guys, Nob end bingo 😄

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@MartinZero 😆😆🧱👍🏽

[@ponyboymb]

Wowwwwwwwwww, What a classic episode of Martin & james 🤍🤍👍 The topic ✅ The weather ✅ The history ✅ The old pictures ✅✅ Wicked video, and so funny Yer could tell they were Reduced! Their a bit musty 😆😆😆😆 (been there) And,,,,,, guy's,,,,,, Them outtakes 😆😆😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣 Literally had me & the wife in tears 😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣 Luvd it. Happy days guy's, have a smashing week ahead ✊🏼🤟🏻💯💯💯💯💯💯🤍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you sir

[@Phil-M0KPH]

Yay, 456th again. Another great video and a very interesting place for a walk around. I must stop being lazy and go and visit these places.

[@MartinZero]

Always welcome Phil 👍

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great old flight of locks and then to top it off with an aquaduct, great finds.

[@robertfletcher3421]

I just love the Meccano bridge. It is fascinating how that was done.

[@Flymochairman1]

At one time there were nowt but houses and factories around there and now it's just all fields! Wait...isn't it usually the other way round? "'Ouses, 'Ouses, 'Ouses!" A great video of the old industries, how the canals were used for business and for pleasure; and what's left. My Great-Grand-Dad, Grand-Dad and his brothers were Coal Merchants so I know that coal was under the Ministry Of Supply during WWII and took precedent over other occupations for 'Reserved Occupations', so I dare say the Coal Barges would have had 'right of way' up through the locks. Are those old Bell Pits, maybe? It's a great video, Martin. What would we have to pay for all that 'dressed stone' now-a-days? Could and should be a business in that! Cheers Martin and James and drone-flying friend!

[@matthewphillips3144]

Another great vid. Cheers guys! The brick arches on a stone bridge/aqueduct reminds me of Cefn Coed viaduct in Merthyr Tydfil. Apparently the stone masons went on strike and the ironmasters called their bluff and brought in brickies to finish the job...

[@havingalook2]

So glad to see James back - hair cut and all!!! Delightful video Martin. Well done. I nearly pissed me self when your Martin said "What you call me" when you said Nob End. I was waiting for something to come up. Then I nearly pissed me self again when your James whipped out Mr, Kiplings marked down. Oh the number of those I have bought over the years - marked down of course. Hilarious. I so appreciated this video and I needed those couple of laughs out louds!!!

[@MartinZero]

Some would call him thrifty. I call him a tight bastard

[@haydenluck]

I really appreciate your passion. As a Canadian with absolutely no connection to Manchester or area, you have made me interested and high up on my bucket list is to visit locations like this. Cheers!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, hope you get to visit

[@darrenarnold6061]

Let me know when you’re over! I’ll buy you a pint in my local, The Horseshoe, which is in Prestolee/Ringley.

[@martinc9215]

Very interesting video. It never dawned on me that people would take day trips on canals all those years ago.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was a very new thing for them

[@bobmcdermott9535]

@@MartinZero did they call them packet boats because they packed the passengers in! 😂

[@robertleach5112]

Before my parents and us kids moved to Australia we lived in Kearsley. When you were standing at the basin and pointing up toward the locks, It appears you were standing at the same spot my Dad used to take me fishing in the canal, pretty sure it was where the coal basin entry was. Lots of good memories along that canal. Thanks for all your efforts Martin.

[@joeramsbottom3786]

Very interesting. Cheers guys. I was last there in the late 70's

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

Those Meccano bridges could actually be truly special in disaster relief situation around the world, I can see these around the world soon, all manufactured in Britain, 👍.

[@alfelker]

Love your bits at the end. Nice bonus with u both larking about. A xxxxload indeed.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Al

[@diggmore1362]

We visited that area a few years back and I have to say my wife loved Nob End

[@MartinZero]

I bet she did 😉

[@slots1407]

Fnarr fnarr.

[@russvhill2]

Another great-fun video with Martin and Brew-Boy James, and Danny ranks as a good additional cameraman :)

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 👍

[@buildwithadrian6895]

Thank you for the bloopers at the end

[@museonfilm8919]

'Musty'...... Gotta love those corner shop bargains!!

[@gerrywoody4301]

Great to see the mecano bridge thanks Martin i worked in mecano during my apprenticeship and i still have and use an original mecano kit spanner but i dont think it will fit the bolts on the new bridge 👍🖖

[@mixu3184]

Great video again. I grew up in Little Lever, so this area was our playground. Spent 100's of hours around there. A bit further up heading towards Bolton you'll find 2 more basins, the top one next to Hall Lane definitely has a old sunken barge, but sadly no longer visible.

[@PaulaXism]

and across the road where they have taken the aqueduct away.. in the woods.. amazing amount of stuff in there. . that huge embankment and all the way to the small bridge in Darcy Lever and the site of the removed aqueduct at Lever Bridge. I lived over that end and used to walk up the canal route often

[@stephenhunter70]

The top basin along with the locks was cleaned up several years ago now there's no barges in that one!

[@nesleinf]

Another splendid video from Martin and James (and a mystery anonymos cameraman in the background?), packed with interesting historical facts. I just love it. Love from Denmark

[@robertfletcher3421]

I agree with you, who is the cameraman?

[@Tekwyzard]

@@robertfletcher3421 And why did he think that walking really slowly and obviously would somehow make him invisible???🤣

[@davidhoult4653]

Cracking vid. Great info. Over fishing on the Old Salford cut canal . Windsor bridge. With my Dad. Pity they did,nt keep it. 👍👏

[@mvrooks]

in the us, we would call this the erector set bridge. thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@RangieNZ]

The out-takes are excellent.

[@RobSchofield]

Would be interested in a visit to Fletcher's Canal and Basin, with the adjoining Wet Earth Colliery and water power scheme put in place by James Brindley. My Dad wrote a book in the late 60s about the remains of the colliery and the Brindley scheme, and I spent many days tromping along towpaths with a measuring stick for his triangulation with a theodolite. Great video, really enjoyed it. Glad someone still has a passion to uncover these man-made artefacts and their history and use. A forgotten age.

[@mileshigh1321]

The Mecano bridge and picnic tables are amazing and cool! Only an old stoge would say otherwise haha!

[@grimreboot]

Liked the little outtakes at the end chaps..... great video :)!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Grim

[@Qugar666]

So so so very interesting. Thank you, thank you. 👏👏👏

[@tomcarr1358]

Very impressive examination of a remarkable variety of industrial archeology in one place.. I will also seek all your previous output. Map work and orientation exceptionally good and well supported with archive pictures. On these topics you can never have too many first edition of the O.S. maps.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Tom

[@beakytzw]

Another cracking video mate and the bloopers were brilliant lol.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you 👍

[@johnrooney1860]

Hi Martin lovely to see the 3 wheeler scamell I used to ride in 1 as a van lad for NCL Watson st of deansdgate depot then Mayfield stn at the top BRS at the bottom 1969 move to Mayfield parcels depot plus the star &garter pub few lager shandy .John Rooney st.annes Lancashire

[@MartinZero]

Cant beat a Scammel Scarab John

[@Me..D.S]

It's good to see another fantastic video from you Martin (and James). The last bit was 🤣. Thank you for making me smile. 👍🏼

[@2H80vids]

What a great place Martin. So many different bits of infrastructure, all related and all still, pretty much, intact. That's where these maps really get useful. Of course, the name just makes it all worthwhile.😂 You're getting pretty good at the shots with the diecast vehicles; forced perspective can really trick the eyes.

[@MartinZero]

I do my best 😀

[@nicklowe536]

Another amazing video. Loved on the northwest all my life and never knew this was here

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Nick

[@mkendallpk4321]

Martin, thank you for the wonderful video. I agree that the suspension sewer bridge is an eyesore. Too bad that someone with taste did not understand that a bridge that blended in with the aqueduct and pack horse bridge would have been the right choice. I hazard a guess that cost over esthetics played a large part in using a suspension bridge.

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

I'm always staggered at the amount of workmanship that must have gone into building these structures, the undertaking of which must have seemed huge in comparison to today's methods. Thanks, Martin🙏

[@hamshackleton]

Labour was cheap, and labourors plentiful, though!

[@danq.5140]

Love the Mecano Bridge and the outro 🥳

[@UKAngryAthiest]

I attended an open day for the opening of the Mechano bridge and someone from the canal society gave a talk about the locks. Apparently the boats from Salford would turn around at the marina and passengers walked up the wide track off to the side of the locks and board another boat at the top to travel on to Bolton. It simply took too much time and effort to move the boats up and down the locks.

[@yonmons]

Yet again my old stomping ground as a kid and a younger man, used to fish the bottom basin ( and the top canal ) , at one point when you are waving your arms above your head the building behind you is the “Nob Inn “ ( cue schoolboy laughter). The Bolton / Bury canal society are doing a good job as volunteers clearing that area, they have a Facebook group. I have said before I am long overdue a return to the northwest from the south coast.

[@nicgeorgiou8054]

There's a great little book by Alec Waterson about the boatyard at Nob End and how they built the wooden box boats there.

[@richardperry5538]

Loving the outakes at the end, hopefully you'll do this as a regular thing 😉

[@adrianstansfield]

Another great video Martin & James & bringing so much history & knowledge back to life well done boys

[@garethparr9482]

Great video guys and what a great name for a place nob end is.

[@chimp3376]

Can I than you for your continued enthusiasm, it is infectious. Thank you so much.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@t_ruth555]

Great video Martin, loved the filming ..... felt your pain at the end 😂 🔴🟡🟢❣

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ruth 😀

[@dalem1140]

Beautiful spot for a cuppa👍

[@briwire138]

Great video as always. Drones certainly give a different view.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah despite my crap drone skills we got some nice shots

[@kirstymarcal9918]

Loved the bloopers at the end there 😂 another fantastic video. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Kirsty

[@marcuscoquer5958]

Loved the outtakes

[@aniwilliams3370]

This is amazing. I’ve got to visit at some point. Wonderful explanation of how everything worked. Love the Pack Horse bridge.

[@aniwilliams3370]

... Visited today! 😄 Absolutely loved tracing all the places you mentioned.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A really fascinating exploration of canal archaeology, concentrated in such small area. Wouldn't it be great to see the locks in water once again!

[@MartinZero]

Love to see it all navigable again

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

Exploring Nob End together. Just added a new euphemism to my collection.

[@philthurman5539]

I had never heard of the "Meccano Bridge" - and as a lifelong Meccanerd seeing this pleases me immensely! Thank you for including it in your vid... I will have to get myself up that way to see it up close and personal, but meantime I'll have to get the Meccano set out this weekend :-)

[@MartinZero]

Well worth a visit Phil

[@richardperry5538]

Keep um coming lads, really enjoyed this 🙂

[@WakoJacKooo]

Lovin the drone b roll stuff.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Joe

[@vaughanwarburton9623]

Great bonus footage at the end 😆👍

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Vaughan

[@lairdstephenrousek.r.o.6505]

Well done lads ,great interesting video as per. Roll on next one 👍

[@marilynpowell6881]

Great video, thanks. Good detective work too. Loved the picture of the people going on a daytrip on the canal. The outtakes were really funny 😀 xxx

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Marilyn. I have to tell em to keep rolling the camera i eventually get there