🚤 Things to Do in Lancashire & Merseyside by Canal

22 August 2025

Exploring Lancashire and Merseyside by canal offers a perfect mix of history, culture, nature, and local charm. Whether you’re cruising the iconic Leeds & Liverpool Canal or the picturesque waterways around Liverpool, there’s plenty to see and do. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your canal adventure in this vibrant part of North West England.

1. Discover Historic Liverpool Docks

Start or end your canal journey at Liverpool’s famous docks. The Liverpool Canal Link connects the Leeds & Liverpool Canal with the historic Albert Dock area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool art gallery.
Stroll the waterfront with stunning views of the Mersey River.
Grab a bite at one of the trendy cafes or restaurants along the dockside.

2. Cruise the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Stretching 127 miles from Leeds to Liverpool, this is the longest canal in Northern England. The section through Lancashire and Merseyside offers:

Peaceful rural stretches with rolling countryside views.
Charming towns like Wigan and Burscough, where you can moor and explore local markets and pubs.
The iconic Barton Swing Aqueduct, where the canal crosses the Manchester Ship Canal — a real engineering marvel.

3. Explore the Pennines’ Western Edge

On the Lancashire side, you can cruise near the foothills of the Pennines, enjoying:

Scenic views of moorlands and reservoirs.
Opportunities for walking or cycling along the towpaths.
Visit small villages like Rufford with historic abbeys and quaint shops.

4. Visit Local Attractions Along the Canals

Speke Hall (Merseyside): A stunning Tudor manor house surrounded by beautiful gardens, just a short ride from the docks.
Leigh Sports Village: If you moor near Leigh, check out the local sports and events calendar.
Witton Country Park (near Blackburn): Perfect for a family day out, with playgrounds and walking trails accessible from nearby canal moorings.

5. Sample the Local Food & Drink Scene

After a day on the water, enjoy some Lancashire and Merseyside culinary delights:

Traditional Lancashire hotpot or scouse (Liverpool stew).
Pubs serving real ales along the canal route — many with waterside patios.
Farmers’ markets and artisanal food shops in towns along the canal.

6. Wildlife Watching

The canals are great for spotting wildlife. Look out for kingfishers, herons, ducks, and sometimes even otters. Early morning or dusk are best for nature lovers wanting a peaceful moment on the water.

7. Join Canal Festivals and Events

Lancashire and Merseyside host several canal-related events throughout the year, like boat rallies, music festivals, and heritage open days. Check local listings to time your trip with one of these lively gatherings.

8. Photography & Art Inspiration

With historic bridges, tranquil waters, and urban landscapes blending with nature, the canals offer fantastic photography and sketching opportunities. Sunrise and sunset shots along the waterways are especially magical.

Final Thoughts

Cruising the canals of Lancashire and Merseyside is an enriching way to experience Northern England’s heritage and beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or just out for a day trip, the mix of urban culture and countryside tranquility means there’s something for everyone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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