The science of the waterways: England and Wales

6 July 2024 – 7 days for £1898 per person. 

Explore the science of the waterways of England and Wales while visiting six of the seven wonders of the UK's 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.

You will be accompanied throughout by waterways expert and enthusiast Roger Butler, who has written for canal and industrial heritage magazines, including features about key landmarks such as the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct. He will give a number of talks and walking seminars throughout, covering topics including:

• Canal history and heritage
• The hidden world of canal architecture
• Birmingham – more canals than Venice!

This tour is perfect for those with an interest in engineering, transport systems, transport history or technology or for those looking to learn more about these fascinating fields of science. 

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

DAY 1: LIVERPOOL ARRIVAL

On arrival into Liverpool, make your own way to the Hope Street Hotel.

In the evening, meet your tour leader and waterways expert Roger Butler for a welcome drink, followed by dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. 

DAY 2: VISIT PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT

This morning, we 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 10 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 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 globally.

After your canal cruise, you will be driven to a viewpoint to witness the 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 the day’s activities. Roger will then give the first of his talks.

Talk: Canal history and heritage

Hear about the story of our canals – building the network, shareholders and investors, engineers and navvies, infrastructure, boats and cargoes, unique art and traditions – followed by their decline and renovation, covering major restoration projects, the discovery and conservation of old canals and present-day leisure and recreation.

DAY 3: ANDERTON BOAT LIFT AND CANAL CRUISE FROM ACTON BRIDGE TO ELLESMERE 

Today, you will visit Anderton Boat Lift, a three-storey-high iron edifice, which is also one of the seven wonders of the UK's waterways. Not only does it still lift boats and barges 15 metres from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey canal, but it does so with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system. 

Continue to Acton Bridge to the Daniel Adamson steamship for a fascinating cruise along the canal. Visit the Dutton 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 footbridge 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 1 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 the Frodsham and Helsby hills. Continue to Stanlow Refinery, with its tanker terminal, which 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 Telfords Quay close to the National Waterways Museum.

There will be a visit to the museum before you return to the hotel in the evening, where Roger will give his second talk.

Talk: The hidden world of canal architecture

Only the National Trust and the Church of England have more listed buildings than our canals. This talk will look at the remarkable architecture of the waterways, including great warehouses, unusual cottages, soaring aqueducts and eye-catching bridges. Other examples include pumping stations, clock towers, quirky landmarks and even tiny bollards, as well as contemporary features such as the Falkirk Wheel. 

DAY 4: BARTON SWING BRIDGE AQUEDUCT AND PORTLAND BASIN

Checking out of the hotel this morning, you will head east to another of the seven wonders of the UK's waterways, the Barton Swing Aqueduct, which is a movable, navigable aqueduct that carries the Bridgewater canal across the Manchester ship canal. 

Continue to Portland Basin, which is at the hub of Tameside's canal network to the east of Manchester. The river Tame helped power the industrial revolution, during which period a complex network of canals 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. 

In the afternoon, you will be driven through the Medlock Valley, passing the Hollinwood and Fairbottom Branch canals. You will then arrive at The Saddleworth Hotel, overlooking the beautiful Castleshaw Valley between Manchester and Huddersfield. In the evening, Roger will give his final talk. 

Talk: Birmingham – more canals than Venice!

Although the trip has a distinct focus around North-West England, you might like to hear a little about Birmingham’s waterways – an extraordinary canal network that helped kick-start the industrial revolution. The talk will include archive photos, as well as discussion of interesting buildings and local stories. 

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 reopened 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. 

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 stops meandering and becomes a direct line through the town of Burnley, towering above many of the buildings. From here, continue to Bingley Five-Rise Locks, considered by many as one of the most impressive features on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. This unique five-rise staircase has a total rise of 18 metres.

Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, with time to relax before your final dinner.

DAY 7: DEPART BRADFORD

Depart your hotel after breakfast.