Dive Site: Eccleston Delph Quarry
Location: Halfpenny Lane, Eccleston, Nr Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PR
Description: Inland quarry / training site
Depth: 22 metres max (72 feet)
Visibility: 2 metres (6 feet)
This site is still up-and-coming and cheaper and nearer than Capenwray for training from Manchester and Leeds. The viz is always poor – however it makes for good, safe training for low viz diving. Torches are essential. It is also quiet and a very short walk to the waters edge. There are lines to the sunken objects to make navigation easier. If you go to down to the keel by the bow of the sunken boat it is dark and scary if you are not used to it – but it is a good test of your nerves!
I dive the Delph every month or so. Quieter than Capernwray, vis isn’t as good but worth the trade off sometimes. Staff are friendly enough once you get to know them. Is there an on-site dive shop anywhere that isn’t more expensive than your LDS? Currently undergoing improvements so worth a visit.
Dived the Delph in 16°C water and good / moderate visibility. A lot of the development work undertaken in the last twelve months is coming to fruition and the site gets better and better. I do have to take issue with a few of the comments posted previously. When you look at the Delph as an all round dive site you would struggle to find a match. The previously good facilities (that have been there for ages) have got better and showers, cafe, dive shop, changing rooms cannot be found on every dive site. Training is available, late diving is available, kit hire / repair is available but far more importantly, rescue equipment, oxygen and trained personnel are on site should the unthinkable happen. Our sport is an inherently expensive one, but the Delph has come a long way in a short space of time in build terms, the staff have never been rude to me and I think you get out what you put in where attitude is concerned.
Scubster 