One of the most successful canals of its time, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was very much used as a cargo carrying canal right up until its last haul in 1972. Because of this, the canal is in pretty good nick when it comes to paddling along it. It stretches…
Grade: 1-5 There's a real range of paddling available on the River Ribble. Take note of the section from Helwith Bridge to Settle. This is the most changeable stretch, with levels ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 5+ in high waters. The rest of the River Ribble is generally Grade…
Opening in 1819 the Lancaster canal is a 41 mile stretch of canal in the North West of England. If you’re looking for a place to paddle which requires no portages and pretty scenery, the Lancaster Canal is your best friend, as over the whole of the 41 miles, there…
People often call the Bridgewater Canal the first true canal in Britain. And, just to be clear, it is nowhere near the town of Bridgewater in Somerset. This North-West canal links Runcorn to Leigh along a 39-mile stretch. It provides a brilliant day out for walkers to cyclists, anglers, paddlers…
Small crafts are not usually permitted on the Manchester Ship Canal. It is still used as a busy shipping canal and large commercial barges and small cruise ships are common along the route. A licence is required to paddle here but it is not included in British Canoeing membership. Please…
We all know you can get a ferry across the River Mersey, thanks to the 1965 classic, but you can also paddle it. The Mersey is an iconic river in the North West, and one of Liverpool's pride and joys. It is 70 miles long, rising in West Yorkshire and…
Restored and reopened by volunteers in 2002, the Rochdale canal links Manchester to Sowerby Bridge on a cross-Pennine route. The canal stretches 32 miles in total, with a whopping 91 locks on the stretch… but the steep climb of the canal is worth it for the views, so we’re told!…
Travelling right to the heart of Manchester, this stretch of the Ashton Canal climbs 18 locks along it’s 6.8 miles from Ashton-under-Lyne to the city centre. A largely industrial stretch, it’s a wonder you can paddle along it at all. In fact, if a group of volunteers hadn’t clubbed together…
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To canoe, kayak or paddle board on many rivers and canals you need a licence. Purchased individually, licences would cost you around £150.
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