🍩 Our Favourite Towpath Treats: Leeds & Liverpool Canal

24 September 2025

Delicious Stops Along the Cut You’ll Want to Moor For

There’s something special about a slow cruise and a good snack. When you’re travelling the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Liverpool and Wigan, you’re not just passing through beautiful countryside and historic lock flights — you’re also cruising past some of Lancashire’s tastiest towpath treats.

Whether you’re after cake, coffee, or a proper pub lunch, here are our top foodie stops to moor up and enjoy on your canal boat holiday.

☕ 1. Red House Café – Lydiate

📍 Near Bridge 16

Tucked just off the towpath, Red House Café is a charming stop with generous breakfasts, homemade cakes, and friendly service. There’s outdoor seating for sunny days, and you can moor close by for a peaceful stopover.

Try: The full English or a classic bacon butty to fuel your morning cruise.

🥧 2. Scotch Piper Inn – Lydiate

📍 Just a short walk from the canal

Claimed to be England’s oldest pub, this 14th-century gem oozes character. It’s not right on the canal, but just a 5-minute walk from a nearby mooring spot — and well worth it.

Try: A local ale and a hot pie by the fire (or in the beer garden if the sun’s out).

🧁 3. Junction Café – Maghull

📍 Bridge 12 area

A great little café that’s popular with walkers, cyclists, and boaters alike. Known for friendly service and quality coffee.

Try: The carrot cake or a warming jacket potato if you’re mooring up for lunch.

🍰 4. Canal Turn Café – Aintree

📍 Near Aintree Racecourse

Perfect for a pit stop, this canal-side café serves coffee, tea, light bites, and snacks with a view. Plenty of outdoor seating and mooring space nearby.

Try: Their lemon drizzle cake or a toasted sandwich after a busy lock session.

🥪 5. Appley Café – Appley Bridge

📍 Just before Wigan

This welcoming café near Appley Bridge Marina is a hidden gem. Ideal for boaters heading toward Wigan or turning back west. Cosy, quiet, and often praised for its fresh food.

Try: A breakfast bap or cream tea with scones — you’ve earned it!

🍻 6. The Windmill – Parbold

📍 Towpath access, mooring right outside

While technically just before Wigan if you’re westbound, this pub is one of the most convenient and popular stops on the route. Lovely pub meals, moorings on the doorstep, and beautiful views of Parbold Hill.

Try: Fish and chips, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Canal classics.

🚶 Honourable Mentions

The Ship Inn (Haskayne) – Great outdoor space and hearty meals
Saracen’s Head (Halsall) – Beautiful rural setting with quality pub fare
Liverpool waterfront – If you’re mooring at Salthouse Dock, options abound from street food to fine dining!

🛶 Final Thoughts

Part of the magic of a canal boat holiday is finding these little gems that you can’t access by road. So, whether you’re planning a week-long cruise or a short getaway, don’t miss out on the many towpath treats between Liverpool and Wigan.

Got a favourite towpath stop we missed? Let us know — we love trying new places!

Myself and my nanna had the best time on the canal boat, the food was absolutely delicious and we couldn’t have asked for a better day the weather was perfect. The gentleman doing the tour (didn’t catch his name sorry) was so knowledgeable and was very funny. He was really accommodating for my nanna as well as she isn’t the most steady on her feet, he helped her on and off the boat and helped her up and down the stairs which I can’t thank him enough for. Would highly recommend doing this tour and it’s in such a beautiful area. Will definitely be doing it again!

Li L

Experienced a wonderful autumn cruise along the canal here with Skipper Mark who shared all his amazing experiences and knowledge of the area and canal along the way. Highly recommend this if you’re in the area.

Steven H

Our family of four hired a 6-berth boat and cruised from Burscough to Wigan and back. The boat was great, the route was lovely, and the service from Lancashire Canal Cruises was superb—special thanks to Marc, who was incredibly helpful. Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ben M

Amazing experience!
As first-time canal boaters, we were a bit nervous, but Richard made the whole process easy and enjoyable. He spent a couple of hours with us on the water, guiding us through everything until we felt completely comfortable handling the boat, mooring, and using all the onboard features. We spent two nights aboard and had an absolutely brilliant time—cruising between pubs for meals, spotting a kingfisher, and taking in the beautiful Lancashire countryside. The boat was spotless and had everything we needed.
10/10 – highly recommend! Thanks again to Lancashire Canal Cruises!

Matthew S

What a fantastic afternoon with the fabulous Marc as our skipper. This trip is worth every penny so if you've not done it or are considering booking on one of the experiences then do it! you will have a great time. Marc is brilliant sharing all the history and stories of canal life and the surrounding areas. Thank you Marc for making our trip truly special! 🤗

Pamela W

Really Enjoyed today's canal ride. Was made to feel at ease when I was nervous on the water. Amazing views & a lovely Afternoon tea. Got to steer the boat and wear the captains hat 😁. And the guy even made time to rescue someone's Memorial bench after it had been blown into the water 💙

Debbie H

We chartered a private hire cruise for 3hrs for my Mums 80th birthday and it was just perfect. Our Skipper Tori was fantastic, she really played along with the kids and kept them involved. The weather was rubbish but we didn't let it ruin the experience, all having a go at steering the boat and helping with the swing bridge.
We took our own food, drink and decorations and nothing was any bother. Would definitely recommend this trip.

Amy K

Everything was perfect from booking to the trip. Great communication.
Lovely afternoon tea.
The gentleman was friendly & had a great knowledge of the canal & surroundings.
Perfect start to my friends 40th Birthday celebrations.

Annmaria S

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 J

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 D