A Week-Long Canal Boat Holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
A 7-day canal boat holiday from Burscough gives you the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. With a full week to explore, you’ll have time to cruise through scenic countryside, moor in welcoming villages, tackle a few locks, and maybe even reach the historic heart of Liverpool or Wigan.
So, where can you go in 7 days? Here are two popular and rewarding routes you can choose from — each with its own highlights and character.
🧭 Option 1: Burscough to Liverpool and Back
Approx. cruising time: 22–26 hours return
Locks: 6 (Stanley Lock Flight in Liverpool)
🚩 Route:
Burscough → Lydiate → Melling → Maghull → Bootle → Liverpool Docks (return)
🌟 Highlights:
- Cruise through peaceful rural stretches toward the city
- Enjoy the famously scenic Liverpool Canal Link
- Pass under lift bridges and through historic Stanley Lock Flight
- Moor right at Salthouse Dock near the Royal Albert Dock and waterfront attractions
- Visit the Maritime Museum, The Beatles Story, or enjoy shopping and restaurants in the city
Pro tip:
Advance booking is required to access the Liverpool Canal Link — be sure to plan this part with your hire company.
Perfect for:
Boaters who want a mix of countryside cruising and big-city adventure, with a few locks and bridges to keep things interesting.
🧭 Option 2: Burscough to Wigan and Return
Approx. cruising time: 20–24 hours return
Locks: Around 12 (depending on how far you go)
🚩 Route:
Burscough → Parbold → Appley Bridge → Gathurst → Wigan (return)
🌟 Highlights:
- Moor at charming canal villages like Parbold and Appley Bridge
- Enjoy countryside cruising with views of Parbold Hill
- Visit Wigan for shops, restaurants, and canal heritage
- Option to explore Wigan Pier or walk part of the Douglas Valley
Want more challenge?
Ambitious crews can take on part of the Wigan Flight (21 locks in total), though doing the full flight and returning in a week is tight. Still, reaching Wigan Top Lock is a great achievement!
Perfect for:
Boaters who enjoy lock work and want to explore the rural side of Lancashire with a touch of urban history.
🛶 What You’ll Need
- A comfortable narrowboat (with heating if travelling outside summer!)
- Windlass and lock key (usually provided with hire)
- Mooring ropes, pegs, and a good canal guide
- Booking confirmation for Liverpool (if heading there)
- An appetite for pub stops and towpath walks
🍻 Pub & Foodie Stops to Look Out For
- The Farmers Arms, Burscough
- The Windmill, Parbold
- St. Mary’s Marina Café, Rufford
- The Saracen’s Head, Halsall
- The Scotch Piper Inn, Lydiate (one of England’s oldest pubs!)
- Dockside eateries in Liverpool at Salthouse
🧳 Final Thoughts
A week on the water offers just enough time to fully unwind and embrace the slower pace of canal boat life. Whether you’re city-bound or country cruising, your 7-day canal holiday from Burscough promises peaceful days, charming moorings, and memorable moments — all at 4 mph.
Which route would you choose — Liverpool’s waterfront or Wigan’s heritage locks? Let us know in the comments or share your favourite stop!
