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.
The Burnley section, which includes one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the British Canal system’ - the ‘Straight Mile’ (the impressive embankment that carries the canal 60 feet above the town), the 559-yard Gannow Tunnel and the Yorkshire Street ‘Culvert’, was one of the most difficult sections to construct. However, it created wealth in the town and provided the much-needed link with the great cities of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
As the canal winds its way into Burnley it passes Barden Mill where you can pick up bargains galore or have tea in Jack Moore’s Tea Room, which overlooks the canal and has impressive views of Pendle Hill. Further along the canal passes through Thompson Park before it reaches the town centre and the Weavers’ Triangle, one of the best-preserved Victorian industrial townscapes in Britain. Go to the visitor’s centre where you can find out about the history of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, learn about the cotton industry in Burnley and find out how the town used to close down for the annual wakes weeks holidays. As the canal leaves Burnley you can take the opportunity to stock up on all your boating requisites at Hapton Boat Yard and Chandlery where you can also see canal boats being refitted to the highest standards.
Today the canal is used mainly for recreational purposes from fishing and cycling to walking and canoeing. There is an abundance of wildlife along its banks and a wide assortment of waterfowl including swans, mallards and grebes. So whether you are on foot, boat or bicycle, if you keep your eyes open you will see how amazing this artery through the town really is.
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In the novel "The Ipcress File" the character of Harry Palmer, played by Michael Caine in the movie, came from Burnley ? not a lot of people know that.