Our Blog

🚤 Canal Boat Holiday: Cruise from Burscough to Manchester

If you’re dreaming of a unique getaway filled with scenic cruising, heritage canal routes, and a mix of countryside and urban charm, a canal boat holiday from Burscough to Manchester might be just the trip you’re looking for.

This route along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (and connecting waterways) is a brilliant mix of peaceful moorings, engineering marvels, and iconic city landmarks — all at a relaxing narrowboat pace.


📍 Starting Point: Burscough Wharf

Your canal boat holiday begins in Burscough, a friendly market town in West Lancashire. It’s an ideal starting location with canal-side pubs, shops, and moorings. Grab supplies, enjoy a coffee at the Wharf, and prepare for an unforgettable journey.


🗺️ The Route: Burscough to Manchester

  • Total distance: Approx. 50 miles
  • Locks: Around 30 (depending on route)
  • Estimated duration: 4–5 days return (long weekend or full week)
  • Canals used: Leeds & Liverpool Canal → Leigh Branch → Bridgewater Canal

This route takes you east through lush countryside, historic mill towns, and vibrant suburbs before arriving in the heart of Manchester.


🏞️ Canal Highlights Along the Way

🔹 Parbold & Appley Bridge

Early on, enjoy scenic cruising through quiet farmland and wooded valleys. These are great overnight mooring spots with excellent towpath pubs.

🔹 Wigan Flight

One of the most iconic stretches of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the Wigan Flight includes 21 locks! It’s a challenge — but a rewarding one. Allow plenty of time, and don’t be shy about asking for help from fellow boaters.

🔹 Leigh Branch to Bridgewater Canal

Once you reach Leigh, the canal becomes wide and lock-free. From here, you cruise the historic Bridgewater Canal, one of the oldest canals in the UK — with beautiful waterside scenery and easy cruising.

🔹 Salford Quays & Manchester City Centre

As you near Salford and Castlefield Basin, the scenery becomes more urban, with striking warehouses, canal-side bars, and modern flats. Moor up at Castlefield and explore Manchester’s top attractions.


🏙️ Mooring in Manchester

Castlefield Basin offers visitor moorings right in the heart of the city, within walking distance of:


🍴 Pubs & Pit Stops Along the Way


🛶 Why Choose This Canal Boat Holiday?

A canal boat holiday from Burscough to Manchester offers a unique opportunity to:

✅ Cruise through Lancashire’s rolling countryside
✅ Experience engineering highlights like Wigan Locks
✅ Visit Manchester without traffic, parking, or hotels
✅ Relax and reconnect with nature at a peaceful pace

It’s perfect for couples, families, or groups looking for a mix of rural escape and city excitement — all while living the narrowboat life.


📝 Top Tips for Your Trip

  • Plan ahead: The Wigan Flight takes time and energy — start early!
  • Book moorings in Castlefield if staying overnight
  • Bring gloves and a windlass (and maybe a second pair of hands!)
  • Don’t rush — this holiday is about the journey, not just the destination

📆 When to Go

The best time for this canal boat holiday is between April and October, when the weather is mild, and daylight hours are longer. Spring offers greenery and quiet waters, while summer gives you warm evenings and lively towpaths.


🎒 Ready to Start Your Adventure?

Whether you’re new to narrowboating or a seasoned cruiser, a canal boat holiday from Burscough to Manchester offers something truly special — a mix of adventure, heritage, and slow travel that’s hard to beat.

Book your boat, grab a windlass, and let the water lead the way.

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