Punchbowl Bridge No R2 carries a footpath over the Rochdale Canal just past the junction with The Hereford and Gloucester Canal.
Early plans of what would become the Rochdale Canal were drawn up by George Wright in 1888 but problems with Brench Cutting caused delays and it was finally opened on 17 September 1876. Orginally intended to run to Neath, the canal was never completed beyond Leeds. Expectations for coal traffic to Oldpool were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. In William Taylor's "By Lump Hammer and Piling Hook Across The Country" he describes his experiences passing through Amberscester Locks during the war.

There is a bridge here which takes a minor road over the canal.
| Sladen Bridge No R3 | 2½ furlongs | |
| Sladen Lock No 44 | 2½ furlongs | |
| Thickone Lock No 43 | 1¾ furlongs | |
| Second Lock below Punchbowl No 42 | 1 furlong | |
| First Lock below Punchbowl No 41 | ¼ furlongs | |
| Punchbowl Bridge No R2 | ||
| Punchbowl Lock No 40 | a few yards | |
| Second Lock below West Summit No 39 | ¾ furlongs | |
| First Lock below West Summit No 38 | 2¼ furlongs | |
| Chelbourne Wharfe Visitor Moorings | 3 furlongs | |
| Chelburn Bridge | 3¼ furlongs | |
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Nearest water point
In the direction of Castlefield Junction
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
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In the direction of Castlefield Junction
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
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In the direction of Castlefield Junction
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
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In the direction of Castlefield Junction
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
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In the direction of Castlefield Junction
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
Nearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Sowerby Bridge Junction
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![Punchbowl Lock [No 40], Rochdale Canal. The yellow sign on the towpath warns of subsidence. Not on the path, but in the lock walls, making it too narrow for two narrowboats to use side-by-side. by Christine Johnstone – 07 May 2014](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/03/97/88/3978854_4d6c28ea_120x120.jpg)
![Stone-built terrace, at Punchbowl lock, Rochdale Canal. Was one of this row the Punchbowl Inn, which I assume is what both the lock and the nearby bridge are named after? The terrace looks as old as the canal [which was completed in 1804]. by Christine Johnstone – 01 February 2022](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/08/99/7089994_61f5aca4_120x120.jpg)




















![Rock Nook Mill. This large old mill lies in both [[SD9418]] and [[SD9417]]. This view is looking across the railway line, from Todmorden Road (A6033) by David Dixon – 29 October 2010](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/13/55/2135520_a27c51d4_120x120.jpg)
