Worsley today has the appearance of a peaceful village. In it's heyday, however, it was a busy centre of activity. "The Green", now a very pleasant area, was once "The Yard", an industrial complex including boatmakers, wheelwrights, nailmakers, timber yard and warehouse. The monument to the Duke of Bridgewater, which stands on the green, was converted from the base of a factory chimney.
It is said that workers were late returning from their lunch, claiming that they could not hear the clock strike one above the general noise coming from the yard. The Duke had the mechanism of the clock altered so that it struck thirteen instead! This clock is now situated in St Marks Church and still strikes thirteen.
At nearby Worsley Delph were the twin entrances to the Duke of Bridgewater's underground canal tunnels - the reason for the Bridgewater Canal's existence. The water in the canal at Worsley usually has an orange tint due to the water coming from the mines containing traces of iron ore.
Worsley Packet House. Swift passenger boats to Manchester used to depart from the steps. This is the junction of a short arm leading from the Bridgewater Canal to the mines entrance in Worsley Delph.
Looking south-east to the iron footbridge and The Granary.
The iron footbridge looking towards the Packet House.
Worsley Green today has the appearance of a traditional village green, but until 1903 this location was a hive of industry, with the area being occupied by a boat-building yard, nailmaker's, basketmaker's and wheelwright's workshops, timber yard, warehouses and railway siding.
Below the canopy is the oldest dry dock on the canal sysytem.
The Boatyard, Worsley
The Granary, now used as offices, Worsley.
The Alphabet Bridge, Worsley. The bridge was used by pupils on their way to St Mark's School and they are supposed to have used the 26 planks on the bridge to help them recite the letters of the alphabet!
The Nailmaker's House, Worsley.
