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Building the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

It’s easy to take our local canal for granted if you are a frequent walker or a cyclist. We have some beautiful countryside alongside the canal including the 7 mile Rufford Branch which boaters can use to access The Ribble Linkand onto the Lancaster Canal and 42 miles of lock free cruising.

This post looks at the challenges faced by the planners and engineers as long ago as 1765 when the original proposal was made for a canal from Preston to Leeds. The eventual route was finally fully open from Leeds to Liverpool in 1816 and is the second (to The Grand Union Canal) longest single waterway in the UK. The concept was a waterway from coast to coast thus allowing routes to Europe and America to be accessed via the busy ports of Hull and Liverpool.

The canal was dug entirely by hand but even before a pick or a shovel was wielded there were serious disagreements regarding the route with some commentators observing that the row between the Yorkshire and Lancashirecontingents was a ‘re-run of the War of the Roses’. `

Eventually a compromise was reached and this included the canal travelling through Blackburn and Bolton so as to service the flourishing textile industries and their need for coal as a fuel and the barges to transport raw materials and finished goods.

Just surveying the route was a challenge and saw some serious errors in calculating terrain levels for example. This created serious tension between the two groups and required additional surveying in the Burnley area. Building the canal saw a succession of engineers appointed with the original senior engineer, John Longbotham, being scapegoated for the delays and funding shortfalls before dying as a penniless recluse.

The original route actually avoided the Pennines but was dismissed as too expensive and time consuming to excavate. The engineers had to design and build elaborate sets of locks in order to cope with the high terrain with other notable achievements including The Foulridge tunnel which suffered several collapses before opening in 1769. That’s over 70 years before The Suez Canal (120 miles) was opened. The excavation and building work was both onerous and dangerous – very little in HASAW existed in those days.

When you sail with Lancashire Canal Cruises our experienced skippers will point out some of the heritage sights, architectural curiosities and key dates. We will even answer what is probably the most commonly asked question from our guests – “how deep is it?” The answer is approximately 5’ but it was built in a saucer profile so it is shallower at the sides. Come and join us sometime.

11 of us had a wonderful cruise on Alfie Bhouy. Plentiful afternoon tea. Lots of interesting facts learned. And so much laughter as the "captain" and our 7 year old granddaughter shared jokes. Such a bonus to be given the opportunity to steer. Thank you for happy memories.

Heather B
Trustpilot

Always five stars from us for this lovely company! Another great trip; this time a Sunday Lunch cruise for a friend’s big birthday! Piping hot, top quality lunch and rose wine included. We added a bottle of very reasonable Merlot too. All while experiencing a lovely sail along the canal. Once again the very knowledgeable, interesting and capable Marc was our captain. Great experience - and always a great company to deal with. We will be back (yet again)!

Jan H
Trustpilot

We had a lovely afternoon tea cruise! Mark was a great host, including letting our 5 year old skipper for some of the journey - a memory he will treasure. Would highly recommend!

Darren S
Trustpilot

SUPERB FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE

We were not disappointed the Service was 5 stars. Guests were interacted with and we were allowed to join in with activities. The host was all you could ask for. Ourselves and others had requests for some changes on the menu and theses were adhered to very well. I shall be booking for the whole family. Thank you for such a lovely day me and my friend both needed it.

Dee D
Trustpilot

A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Mark (our skipper) was extremely knowledgeable of the area and canals, and also other canals. He was very interesting and hospitable to us. He invited our grandson to steer the boat and was very welcoming.
On a separate note, we were late arriving for the cruise and Mark did not rush us, and was very friendly.
Highly recommended!

Carol E
Trustpilot

Just had our first canal cruise with a Xmas dinner hot from the pub and I have to say the whole experience was brilliant. The captain was excellent and very knowledgeable throughout the trip and as a bonus I was able to drive with the captain which was a lovely touch. I would highly recommend this trip.

Stephen S
Trustpilot

It helped that it was a beautiful sunny day. The skipper, Mark was very insightful giving us a talk on the local history of the canal as we made our way to Burscough Wharf and back again.

Tony Houston
Trustpilot

Nice way too spend a few hours took my mother for a mothers day treat great food fantastic host wish it hadn't been raining thanks very much

Gary Chadbond
Trustpilot

Just got back from an amazing cruise with afternoon tea with this company. The food was lovely and fresh!
The skipper, Mark was lovely and professional! He was so naturally friendly and explained everything about the history of barges and the area. He was so knowledgeable. The cruise itself was beautiful and relaxing.

Leah Johnson
Trustpilot

What a wonderful experience! Mark was such a great host, very kind and helpful. We miss our trip because of car crash on the road, he not only accommodate us on the next trip but he make us fresh afternoon tea and he place us in the best part of the boat! I can’t explain what a wonderful people and what a experience we had ! Truly amazing! Definitely try for yourself !!! Thank you Mark! See you soon!

Plamena Dimitrova
Trustpilot