4 Barge Docks At The Boatyard

The 4 Barge Docks at The Boatyard are a group of two wet and two dry barge docks located on the north-east side of the Trent and Mersey Canal. They were constructed in 1772, with additional work done in the early to mid-19th century. The docks are made of stone, with brick, iron, and timber sheds, featuring slate and tile roofs.

The south-eastern dock is the earliest dry dock, characterized by its stone sides. It has a brick covering shed with open sides supported by seven brick piers and stepped outer buttressed sides. The end of this dock features a boat entrance with a cambered timber lintel leading to the canal, topped with a tile roof.

The dry dock to the north-west has brick sides, which have been partly replaced with concrete. The wet dock to the north-west also has brick sides and a 20th-century timber shed. The north-western wet dock includes a brick covering shed with open sides supported by cast-iron columns, and its south end features a segmental-arched boat entrance to the canal, covered by a slate roof.