Canals & Waterways

Get inspired by Lancashire's canals

Lancashire is a land of contrasts; rolling countryside leads to industrial centres while great waterway heritage, such as the Lune Aqueduct, are set against our market towns. The Millennium Ribble Link is the gateway to the rest of the waterway world.

Below you can find useful information showing you different key canal sites, places to stop and grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink as well as where you can hire a canal boat!

We hope you'll enjoy Lancashire's canals and waterways.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal

The 127-mile long Leeds and Liverpool Canal is thought by many to be the finest in England, with spectacular Pennine views, fascinating staircases of locks and the sturdy architecture of mills, warehouses and cottages. Constructed between 1770 and 1816 it rapidly became one of the most prosperous canals in the country and played a major part in bringing industry to the towns through which it past.

• For more information, visit www.waterscape.com

Lancaster Canal

Lancaster Canal is one of the most scenic canals in the country. This gentle waterway offers wonderful views of the Silverdale coast, Forest of Bowland and the rolling countryside of Wyre. It stretches over 41 miles from Preston to Tewitfield on one level, and is unusual for a canal as it doesn't have any locks. When it was completed and fully opened in 1826, the Lancaster Canal was nicknamed 'the Black and White Canal' as it originally carried coal from the south and limestone from the north. Passengers on 'packet boats' could travel from Kendal to Preston, or vice versa, in around eight hours.

• Download the Lancaster Canal leaflet
• For more information, visit www.waterscape.com
• Lancaster Canal Boats 

River Ribble

The River Ribble is one of Britain’s last great wilderness areas, flowing through central Lancashire near Preston into the Irish Sea.

Bird watchers and nature lovers can spend many happy hours following the Ribble through salt marshes, wetlands and mudflats. This is a very atmospheric part of the country, mist sometimes cloaks the lagoons so that the only sound is the call of the birds and on the very next day, sunlight bathes the landscape in a golden light. Skylarks, redshanks, little grebes and pink footed geese are among the numerous bird species that can be spotted here...

• For more information, visit www.waterscape.com

Hotel Boats & Narrowboats

You can explore many waterway miles from the comfort of a traditional canal narrowboat. What better place could there be to enjoy a memorable holiday?

• Take a look at what's on offer in Lancashire
  

Take a trip down the canal

Enjoy a leisurely sail along the picturesque Lancaster canal on board the luxury widebeam boat Kingfisher.

• Lancaster Canal Boats 
  
  
  
  
  
  

Fishing

You'll be hooked on fishing in Lancashire. Whether you are a seasoned pro with rod and line or just starting out, Lancashire’s the place to be for a great angling break. The county is an angler’s paradise – whether your sport is coarse or game fishing.

• Read more about fishing in Lancashire

Canal Walks

Inspiring walks along Lancashire's canals. From short, gentle rambles to long distance treks, you can download a whole range of different walks. 

• Take a look at Lancashire's canal walks