Mary Sunley Canal Boat

Trips on the Macclesfield Canal for All!

Registered Charity number: 1044980

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Take a trip on the Mary Sunley!

What can you do when you can't go for a walk in the countryside? Why not come for a trip on a slow moving canal boat and enjoy the views across the beautiful Cheshire countryside?

The Mary Sunley, launched in May 1980 and refitted in the late 1990s, was named after Mrs. Mary Sunley, the wife of one of the original benefactors, Mr. Bernard Sunley. The Mary Sunley was specially built for the purpose of providing daytime trips on inland waterways for the physically or mentally disabled. Other private groups may use the boat for a small additional charge.

The Mary Sunley is based at Lyme View Marina, Adlington, Cheshire, UK. The boat is available to carry up to twelve passengers on trips of four hours or more during daylight. The boat is manned by a skipper and one crew member. See our Newsletters for the latest news of the boat!

Facilities

The boat was specially designed and built with the disabled in mind. It is fully equipped to cater for disabled people with an easy path leading from the car park to the boat, a hydraulic lift for easy access to the cabin and a toilet with wheelchair access. The cabin is equipped with seating for twelve people. Kitchen facilities include a cooker with oven, cutlery and crockery for your use.

What users should bring

Food and drink. It is advisable to bring cool boxes for keeping items cool during the summer.
Any special personal equipment, personal toiletries and medication. Bring warm clothing if you want to sit on the forward viewing deck - sitting in the open can be chilly for elderly people even on a warm and sunny day.

Number of passengers

The Mary Sunley is licensed to carry a maximum of 12 passengers at any one time, including helpers, with not more than 4 persons confined to wheelchairs. Electric wheelchairs are not permitted.

Helpers

If any disabled person needs assistance or support, they must be accompanied by a helper. The skipper and crew are available to advise on the boat's facilities but are not in a position to give personal assistance to individual passengers.

Trips

Trips are restricted to daylight hours, 10:00 - 20:00. The very reasonable charges are subsidised for recognised disadvantaged groups - details from the booking office (see below). The trips are along the top pound of the Macclesfield canal between Adlington and Bollington, Higher Poynton, High Lane or Marple (depending on duration) and return to Adlington. There are no canal locks on this route.

Bookings

Who

Any group, individual or family. Wherever possible, the bookings will be on a first come first served basis, but preference will be given to disabled groups. Sponsored groups are especially welcomed. If you or your company would like to sponsor a trip we can advise on a group who may not have the resources to finance their own trip. Trip fees for the 2007 season have been set at:

Disabled groups £18 per hour (minimum 4 hours, £72)
Private groups £24 per hour (minimum 4 hours, £96).

All trips start and end at Adlington Basin - see below.

How

Telephone the Mary Sunley booking office on 01625-428301 to check availability - manned Tuesday-Friday 10:00-15:00 - otherwise leave a message on the answering machine and we will call you back; we will send you a booking form; please fill it in and send it together with your deposit to the address on the form. Dates can only be confirmed on receipt of the non-returnable deposit. Please enclose an SAE for a receipt and confirmation of the booking.

Cancellation policy

If it proves necessary to cancel your trip we regret that the deposit is not refundable. However, the deposit is transferable to another date in the same season if you wish to re-arrange your trip.

Departure point

Lyme View Marina, Wood Lane East, Wood Lane Ends, Adlington, near Poynton, Cheshire.
Map reference: Ordnance Survey - SJ938817.

Directions

From the A538 Macclesfield / Stockport road at Poynton, 300m on the Macclesfield side of the traffic lights, turn up Dickens Lane. Continue along this road for a mile or so until you reach a T junction. Turn left, along Wood Lane West. At the cross road continue straight on up the private road which is Wood Lane East, over the canal bridge and turn left into the marina yard. Veer right, through the gate, alongside the marina and follow the drive round to the left. The Mary Sunley is moored near the far right corner of the car parking area.

Friends of the Mary Sunley!

Why not become a friend of the Mary Sunley? The charity depends to a large degree on the support of those throughout the community who are able, in so many simple ways, to add such joy to the lives of the less fortunate.

Please join us - send us an email now and details will be sent to you.

Newsletters