Leeds & Liverpool Canal routes towards Wigan | boating holiday Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Leeds & Liverpool Canal routes - west from Barnoldswick

Reservoir repairs have reduced water availability, so lock opening times are shorter in 2025. Journeys will have to be shortened.

Below we show some examples of routes which our customers enjoy. Distances and times shown are for the return trip. You can vary the distance to suit you, because there are plenty of turning points ('winding holes') marked in the guides on your boat. Information we provide about specific waterways or suggested routes is for general reference only. Please see more about route availability.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Routes - going west from Barnoldswick

Barrowford Locks, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Seven or fourteen night holidays

Rishton 53 miles 14 locks 20 hours

One Way Map

Sail along the summit, plunge into Foulridge Tunnel, and then drop down Barrowford Locks onto the level you will stay with for 20 miles. Sail above Burnley-s rooftops on its embankment, one of the Seven Wonders of the waterways. Stop to visit the Weavers' Triangle, full of textile history. Regain more open scenery, and carry on through Church and Rishton. Turn after Bridge 106A. This trip has fairly long urban stretches as well as views of the (Lancashire) Calder valley and Pendle Hill, but is full of industrial history and other interest.

Foulridge Tunnel, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Foulridge Tunnel, east portal

Barrowford Locks

Burnley Embankment

Blackburn Locks

Johnson's Hillock

Junction with the not-to-be Lancaster Canal

White Bear Marina, Adlington, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

The Bridge at Adlington

Wigan Pier

How to Book

Use this form to check availability. When you find the boat you want, click 'Book this holiday now' and you can pay your deposit or hold for 48 hours - or ring 01422 832712.

The counties are the names of the boats, not where they start from! Click the map for routes, and the boat for details

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Trip Reviews

"Varied scenery - friendly people." - Mr Walker, Somerset

"Scenery was very varied, nautical, industrial, rural, hilly, flat. We all enjoyed going to Liverpool. Mooring in Salthouse Dock & navigating the Liverpool Link was a wonderful experience. Plenty to see & do in Liverpool. Visited another place (Anthony Gormley) statues on Crosby beach." - Andrew Shipman, Norfolk

"Overall - brilliant. Very fortunate with dry, sunny weather. Mix of scenery - rural - industrial - fantastic. Did not see any hostile, antisocial behaviour." - Titford, Leicester

"Enjoyed the canal and varied scenery and sights." - Turton, Leicester

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