The Watch House Cruising Club  is on the towpath side of the Bridgewater Canal between Dane Road bridge and Edge Lane bridge in Stretford, Manchester. It was founded in 1964 and has grown in size over the past years so that at present it has 30 full members with boats and 100 associate members.

Watch House was the fifth club to join the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs. It operates a full cruising programme throughout the year with many weekend cruises and attendance at various rallies during the season. When not out cruising, the clubroom and bar are open  Friday and Saturday evenings 19.30-23.30 as well as Sunday afternoons 12.00-19.00 to all passing boaters, dog walkers, hikers and even nice cyclists.  Why not Join as a social member for a mere £5 per year.

The Watch House is thought to be the oldest building in Stretford, also the oldest on the canal. In fact it was here before the canal was built. In those days it was a farm building but since then it has had a chequered history as stables for canal horses, as a coffin store, saddle manufacturing, cottages and now our club premises. Gradually the members have improved the building and upgraded the facilities. The major improvements undertaken over the past few years have been the extension into the old stable block, which has been turned into a concert room with a stage and a refit to the kitchen area. Apart from the bar, the services available are toilets, water, Elsan disposal, overnight moorings and a resource of help and advice from our many long serving members.