Work on both the Peak Forest Canal and the tramlines from Doveholes was completed in the late 1700's.This enabled limestone to be transported from the quarries by horse drawn waggons, and either be transferred as limestone to canal barges, or burnt into lime in kilns at the basin, and then shipped out.
Once Britain's largest inland port the basin became dis-used in 1927 as a result of the dominance of the railways.

Thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Protection Society and financial assistance from local councils and the EEC, the basin was re-opened on 3rd August 1999. Bugsworth Basin is classed as an ancient monument.

Bugsworth de-bugged
In the early 1900s the population of Bugsworth became embarrassed by the village's name, some villagers wouldn't get off at the local railway Station and carried on to Chinley - they then walked back to Bugsworth. A campaign was launched by the local vicar and the local head teacher to have the name changed to Buxworth. There was a referendum in 1929, the name was changed to Buxworth but the argument has never gone away. In May 1999 another referendum was held and the villagers voted three to two in favour of keeping Buxworth. Straw polls indicate that people who were born and brought in the village were more likely to want to the name to remain as Buxworth than their neighbours who have moved into the village. When the name of the village changed the basin retained its original name and is affectionately known in the area as Buggie Basin. Ironically the village is still referred to as 'Buggie'.