The science of the waterways: England and Wales
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July 2024 – 7 days
Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you later this year with full tour details.
Explore the science of the waterways of England and Wales while visiting six of the seven British wonders of the waterways, including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Standedge Tunnel and Bingley Five Rise Locks.
Marvel at the engineering work and learn about the history of this 200-year-old network of canals that was originally built to transport industrial goods between towns and cities. Encounter locks, swing bridges, tunnels and aqueducts and explore quaint villages, insightful transport museums and majestic industrial heritage sites.
DAY 1: LIVERPOOL ARRIVAL
On arrival into Liverpool, make your own way to your hotel.
In the evening there will be a welcome meeting with the group and your tour leader. Afterwards enjoy a welcome dinner with the group, before returning to your hotel.
DAY 2: VISIT PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT
In the morning, you will travel to Llangollen in North Wales where you will board a canal boat and travel the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee valley, from Froncysyllte over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
The Pontcysyllte aqueduct took ten years to complete and is a fine example of the incredible feats of engineering you can find on the British canal network. The first 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal is an outstanding piece of industrial and engineering heritage comprising of embankments, tunnels, viaducts and aqueducts, including the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct itself and 31 other listed structures. It has been described by UNESCO as ‘a masterpiece of creative genius’ and has been named as the most captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world.
After your canal cruise, you will be driven to a viewpoint to witness Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in all its glory.
Return to Liverpool where you will have some free time.
In the evening, enjoy dinner with your group where you will discuss today’s activities.
DAY 3: ANDERTON BOAT LIFT AND CANAL CRUISE FROM ACTON BRIDGE TO ELLESMERE
Today, you will visit Anderton Boat Lift, a giant three-storey-high iron edifice on the banks of the River Weaver Navigation which is also one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Waterways’. The Anderton Boat Lift has earned its nickname of Cathedral of the Canals for a very good reason. Not only does it still lift boats and barges 50 feet from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent & Mersey Canal, but it does it with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system.
Continue to Acton Bridge to embark ‘The Danny’ steamboat. The ‘Daniel Adamson’, otherwise known as ‘The Danny ’, is the North West’s Art Deco steamship, rescued by the passion and skill of a volunteer force who run the project and operate the vessel today. This fascinating cruise, with a lively commentary along the way, is as awe inspiring as it is relaxing. Hear the story of this magnificent waterway and enjoy wonderfully differing scenery as your cruise takes you through locks and under bridges, which have remained largely unchanged for over 100 years.
You will travel along the canal visiting Dutton Locks, the current locks opened in 1880 - the earlier locks were near the large flood control sluices. After leaving Dutton Locks, pass Dutton Horse Bridge a unique twin span laminated timber foot bridge dating from 1919. Dutton Viaduct opened in 1836 and its 20 arches carry the West Coast main line over the river. The original river course was under the opposite end of the viaduct. Continue to Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge as you approach the bridge you will pass the silted up Frodsham Cut, the site of the former Sutton Level locks and the sluice/weir where water runs off to the left. The 1926 bridge carries the A56 and is about about a mile from Frodsham. You will then continue under the impressive railway and M56 viaducts.
Join the Manchester Ship Canal for the next 5 miles where you will pass through farmland and salt marshes, with great bird life and views to the south of Frodsham and Helsby Hills. Continue to Stanlow Refinery, with its tanker terminal, is owned by Essar Energy. The last few miles of our cruise pass through an industrial area. Finally, arrive at Ellesmere Port, where you will berth at Telford's Quay close to the National Waterways Museum.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the National Waterways Museum, it is a small museum which brings Britain's canal history to life with a range of small exhibitions and a collection of canal and river craft.
Return to your hotel with time at leisure in the afternoon, before joining the group for dinner.
DAY 4: BARTON SWING BRIDGE AQUEDUCT AND PORTLAND BASIN
In the morning, travel to another one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Waterways’, the Barton Swing Aqueduct, which is a movable, navigable aqueduct which carries the Bridgewater Canal across the Manchester Ship Canal.
Continue to Portland Basin which is at the hub of Tameside's canal network. Here the three canals meet, and it is known as Dukinfield Junction amongst the canal fraternity. Visit the small museum which tells the history of Tameside from pre-industrialisation to the present day.
Tameside lies to the east of Manchester, the Borough takes its name from the River Tame which helped power the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago. During this period a complex network of canals was constructed which linked Tameside with the rest of the country, bringing in supplies of raw material to feed the developing industries and thriving towns of Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde, Mossley and Stalybridge.
Drive through the stunning Medlock valley, stopping along the way to view some of the Hollinwood and Fairbottom Branch Canals. Continue to your hotel, where you overnight.
DAY 5: STANDEDGE TUNNEL AND BUTTERLY RESEVOIR
Today, you will visit the Standedge Tunnel, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways located in the heart of the Pennine countryside. It is the longest canal tunnel in Britain. The canal re-opened in 2001 after a 20-year restoration programme.
After lunch, enjoy a leisurely walk around this picturesque reservoir with stunning views of the valleys below on a walk up from the village of Marsden near the border with Lancashire.
Drive to your hotel where you can enjoy dinner in a countryside setting.
DAY 6: BURNLEY EMBANKMENT AND BINGLEY FIVE RISE LOCKS
Today you will depart for Burnley embankment, known also as The Straight Mile. The canal here suddenly goes from winding and meandering, into a direct line through the town of Burnley and towers above many of the buildings. It is an engineering feat of its time and another one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
From here, continue to Bingley Five Rise Locks, considered by many as one of the most awesome features on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. They are the steepest staircase locks on the longest canal in England and the final one of the Seven wonders of the waterways that you will visit on this tour. This unique 5-rise staircase has a total rise of 60 feet.
Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, with time to relax before your final dinner with the group.
DAY 7: DEPART BRADFORD
Depart your hotel after breakfast.