Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Pendle hosts one of the most scenic waterways in England. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is over 200 years old, and, at 127 miles long, is the single longest canal in the country. Be you a boater, cyclist, angler, walker, naturalist, or have an interest in industrial archaeology, our canal is a treasure trove of interest. To celebrate our slice of this historic waterway, Pendle has an annual canal festival in September.

If you are entering the borough from the West, Mill Shopping at Barden Mill is now complemented by a new marina. Going North East from there are safe visitor moorings at Lomeshaye Wharf, as well as a new marina and visitor moorings being built at Lower Park Marina. The legacy of Pendle's reputation as the "Silicone Valley" of its day continues to amaze as you travel East; horse ramps and old wharves are now a backdrop to kingfishers, herons and other wildlife.

One of the most scenic parts of the canal is from Barrowford to Barnoldswick, and in between is a Georgian feat of engineering called Foulridge Tunnel, also referred to as "The Mile Tunnel". At one end of the tunnel is Foulridge Wharf, with its historic Lime Kiln. The wharf is the boarding point for one of the most popular trip boats on the canal, "The Marton Emperor" run by Foulridge Canal Cruises, as well as a nationally accredited Canoe Club.

Many reservoirs feed the canal, including one known as Lake Burwain, which is popular with water sports enthusiasts, and also has a walking trail around it; one of a series of four "Pendle Canal Walks", available free from Pendle's Tourist Information Centres. The Pennine Cycleway also runs along the towpath on this section of the canal, and is great for family cycle rides. If you need to unwind after your cycle ride, why not call in at the Anchor Inn at Salterforth. If you're lucky the landlord might show you his stalactites!

Once you pass Lower Park Marina you reach the highest point on the canal at Greenberfield Locks – voted "best kept locks" in the country. Pendle is justly proud of its canal, and was recently awarded the IWA’s Kenwin Trophy in recognition of the way in which it had greatly improved the canal corridor. We have also recently received a national award for Waterways Renaissance by the British Urban Regeneration Association.