Parking
There’s a few spots where you can park, I’d suggest trying Aldi first as you get 3 hours free parking (you don’t need to be a customer), and they have designated parent bays.
You can also park for free along the canal side, though this gets busy really quickly. Be careful you don’t park past the entrance to Salamander Fabrications or you risk getting a ticket.
There’s also free parking at Old Bank car park, though this is often full.
For parking longer than 3 hours, your best bet is New Street car park, which is free for the first two hours then you must pay for additional hours after that.
Facilities En Route
Feeding and changing facilities are available at the following stops along the route:
- The Handmade Bakery
- Zapato
- Peel St Social
Pram Friendly Canal Walk
If you head out of The Handmade Bakery and turn left, you’ll be walking towards Marsden. After about a mile, you’ll pass the Anello Kitchen Garden on your left, where they grow a lot of the fresh produce that ends up on your pizza – keep an eye on their instagram for open days.
Shortly after, you’ll find Zapato which is a great place for a drink and toilet break (with baby changing facilities accessible to all genders). For pram access to Zapato, you’ll need to come off the canal when you reach lock 29e, turn right onto West Slaithwaite Road then right again towards Zapato.
If you don’t have a pram with you, you can stay on the canal until you reach the entrance here. Check out my post about Zapato for the full details.
Next to Zapato you’ll also see Darkwoods Coffee who do monthly open days, keep an eye on their instagram for information for dates.
Just after Zapato, there’s a lady who sells gorgeous homemade jams and chutneys from her conservatory. She posts her ‘menu’ and prices on the fence here, then if you walk across the bridge and round the corner you’ll spot her conservatory. Ring the doorbell and buy some jam, you won’t regret it!
If you keep walking, you’ll pass Sparth Reservoir, before finally reaching Marsden. Here you’ll find Peel St Social and if you go a little further you’ll reach Standedge Tunnel which is a lovely day out.
Want more pram-friendly activity ideas? Have a look at our Day Out Directory, where you can filter activities based on facilities, accessibility, type of activity and more.
