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"Fully Coordinated ~ Independent Travel ~ Bespoke Itineraries"
This is an opportunity to visit Liverpool in an exciting and unusual way travelling on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Waterway.
The canal network across Britain was built at the height of the industrial age when there was a demand for raw materials and a need to transport finished goods to the fast-growing towns.
Roads at the time in Britain were virtually impassable, especially for large loads. The canals were the highways of the industrial revolution and served to connect the whole country.
The canals are navigated on barges or narrowboats that are specially designed to travel on these waters.
The longest canal in Britain built as a single waterway is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at 127 miles long and it is the last section of this canal into Liverpool that you will be travelling on. The first section of the canal opened in 1773.
The canal suffered some damage during the Second World War. It was breached when a German bomb fell on it in Bootle. The canal in West Lancashire was part of Britain's defensive plans against invasion. Along the canal there were tank traps, bunkers and blockhouses. Some buildings such as barns and pubs along the canal were fortified. There are still some remaining concrete pillboxes and brick built blockhouses..
The canal at Aintree passes close to the famous racecourse and gives the name to the course's Canal Turn.
Life was hard as boat operator and it was usual for them to live onboard with their families in very cramped and basic conditions. As the industrial need for the canals faded in the early part of the 1900’s the canals became neglected until a resurgence around the middle of the century saw their popularity increase again as leisure waterways. The narrowboats used for transporting industrial materials turned into leisure craft with luxury accommodation.
You will pass through a series of locks which are devices designed to enable the boats to access different sections of the canal that are on different levels. These are exciting in their own right and provide a thrill as you drop down below the water level of the preceding section of the canal.
Navigating through Liverpool’s old industrial and warehouse areas which have gained a new urban aesthetic, you will be able to appreciate their place in history and on the modern landscape before travelling along the new canal link into the famous Albert Dock and eventually mooring in the Salthouse Dock where the narrowboat you travelled on will become your accommodation for two or three nights with you living onboard.
Once you are based in the very heart of Liverpool you will be free to enjoy all it has to offer including guided tours, museums, shopping and nightlife.
Rich heritage meets modern attractions at the waterfront's Albert Dock, boasting magnificent architecture and the largest group of grade 1 listed buildings in the UK.
Over 25,000 people gathered outside the Hall when John Lennon was killed, and in excess of 65,000 witnessed Liverpool's spectacular European Capital of Culture Opening.
The International Slavery Museum highlights the international importance of slavery, both in a historic and contemporary context providing greater awareness.
The Museum of Liverpool reflects the city's global significance through its unique geography, history and culture - explore how the port, its people and their creative history have shaped the city.
Moored at the heart of the historical and vibrant waterfront of Liverpool, this family-friendly houseboat makes a cosy base for exploring the very best of the city. The Liverpool Boat is a wide-beam canal boat, newly-built and furnished in a welcoming contemporary style, and comfortably accommodates up to six guests. The boat’s permanent mooring at The Liverpool Yacht Club and Marina is the perfect location for discovering the waterfront, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is close to some of the city’s most exciting neighbourhoods.
Step below deck and you’ll find yourself in the deceptively spacious combined living and kitchen area. The up-to-date industrial style of the furnishings and colour scheme help open up the space which is cosy without being cramped. You’ll find everything you might need in the kitchen, from utensils to a dishwasher, and there’s a beautiful wooden dining table with room for six. The comfy sofa in the living area converts into a double bed for which linen is provided.
Move through the boat and you’ll find the master bedroom, a twin room and a bathroom. The spacious master bedroom with its sumptuous king-size bed is located at the bow end of the boat and has doors out onto a small outdoor seating area. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet morning coffee or a relaxed glass of wine in the evening. The second bedroom features two single bunk beds and a porthole overlooking the marina. The stylish bathroom with its modern tiling scheme has a shower over the bath. It is a relaxing space to run a bath and soak after a day exploring the city.
There are so many locations and places of interest available in Liverpool that it presents the opportunity for a vast array of different programmes - far more than we can easily show on this page.
Itineraries can be developed according to your interests and requirements. We would be delighted to work with you in developing the most suitable tour itinerary that will enable you to make the most out of your time in Liverpool.
As a starting point, we have shown a proposed itinerary below to help you start planning your trip.
Arrival at Liverpool
Private Transfer to Hotel
Check-in to Hotel
Free Time to explore your local surroundings and perhaps enjoy an evening meal at a local restaurant.
Return to your hotel - overnight Liverpool.
Your day will begin with a private transfer from your hotel to the mooring where the narrowboat will be waiting your arrival.
Once onboard your host will show you the accommodation and you will have a short time to settle in before beginning your journey into the heart of Liverpool. (Please be aware that sailing times are determined by the harbour authorities who determine the times of entry to the dock system.)
As you navigate through the canal system you will be able to appreciate the semi-rural canal sides before entering into the industrial landscape. You will pass through a number of locks and will be given the opportunity of operating these as well as being a passenger onboard as the boat drops down into the depths of lock basin.
Your final approach to the Albert Dock will be through the new Liverpool Canal Link as you pass along Liverpool's famous Pier Head.
Dwarfed by the massive warehouses, you will pass through the Albert Dock into the Salthouse dock which will become your mooring whilst in Liverool.
Free time to explore your location and enjoy an evening meal before retiring for your first night on Liverpool's waterfront.
Spend a leisurely day exploring Liverpool on your own and discover the wealth of museums, shops, bars and restaurants that Liverpool has to offer.
We can also make some recommendations based on your interests and we will provide a mini-programme with directions for you to follow.
There is also the opportunity to fit in some optional tours that might be of interest to you. For example, you might like to visit Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club; or Speke Hall, a Tudor half-timbered mansion fully preserved with Priest's hiding holes and a facsinating history.
For the evening, we are able to arrange theatre tickets for Liverpool's famous Empire Theatre or you might like to enjoy a cabaret show or see a band that is playing at one of the many concert venues - we will let you know what's available and who will be playing etc on the dates of your visit.
For something really special, would you enjoy smoking Cuban Cigars and drinking whisky at the "Puffin Club" to the accompaniment of soft music from live musicians?
Conclude your visit to Liverpool with a fun and informative Magical Mystery Beatles Tour of the city.
Step aboard the colourful Magical Mystery Tour bus for a fun and fascinating 2 hour tour of Beatles Liverpool. You’ll see all the places associated with John, Paul, George and Ringo as they grew up, met and formed the band that would take the pop world by storm.
See the Beatles childhood homes, schools and colleges and get up close to places that inspired some of their most memorable songs – Penny Lane and Strawberry Field
There will opportunities for some last minute shopping and enjoying a leisurely walk around some of your favourite places in Liverpool. Maybe in the evening you would like to enjoy a pint in a traditional "pub" or enjoy the great British favourite - Fish and Chips from a local "chippy".
Return to your narrowboat - overnight Liverpool.
Check-out of narrowboat
Assisted transfer to airport / train station etc
You can extend your trip by staying on in Liverpool or travel to any other UK or European destination from Liverpool. E.g. LONDON or EDINBURGH or throughout Europe. Please ask for details.
Onward journey to next destination or return journey home.
Feedback for this city break is obtained from a variety of sources, including social media. We'd be delighted if you could take the time and let us know how you enjoyed your stay.
Trains on the National Rail Network arrive at Liverpool Lime Street Station. There is also a local train network called Merseyrail that travels to / from Central Station. You would then be able to obtain detailed directions using the search facility above.
There are two main bus terminals in Liverpool. There is the Central Bus Station at Canning Place, Liverpool 1. There is also another terminus at Queens Square by St George's Hall. There is an extensive bus network throughout Liverpool and the 82 bus from the Central Bus Station will travel through the city centre.
Black cabs are available all over the city and can be flagged at the roadside. You can tell the taxi driver the name of your destination and they will be able to take you there. Their knowledge of streets and venues (especially in the city centre) is extensive and you should not have any difficulty.
