Leeds and Liverpool Canal
The Leeds Liverpool Canal passes through the heart of Greenheart. At 127 miles long, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest single canal in Britain. Originally built for freight, today the canal offers boaters, walkers and cyclists an exhilarating opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
In Wigan, the waterway offers a rich variety of popular natural and industrial heritage. It links the majority of Wigan Borough’s Greenheart sites including Wigan Flashes, Pennington Country Park, Haigh Hall Country Park and Bickershaw - all key Gateway sites. It also links with other major visitor attractions in the Borough such as Wigan Pier and Trencherfied Mill, Douglas Valley, Robin Park and the JJB Stadium.
The Leigh Branch leaves the main line, just east of lock 52, extending all the way to the Bridgewater Canal in the centre of Leigh. It passes through a landscape once spoiled by mining but now carefully restored to parkland and a flourishing haven for varied wildlife.
Directions
There are numerous access routes onto the canal in the Greenheart area. A British Waterways office is located on the canal towpath at Waterside Drive and makes a great starting point for a visit, with information on how to access the canal and other Greenheart sites being available.
Rail: 10 minute walk from Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate Stations. Walk towards Wigan Pier. Turn left onto Swan Meadow Rd immediately after crossing the canal and take 1st left into the investment centre.
Bus: Exit Wigan Bus Station onto Market street and turn right. At the top of the road turn right and follow the directions above.
Road: From J25 and J26 on M6 and J6 on M61 follow the signs for Wigan Pier and then the Wigan Investment Centre.
Contact
British Waterways
Waterside House
Waterside Drive
Wigan
WN3 5AZ
01942 405700
enquiries.northwest@britishwaterways.co.uk
For more information visit www.waterscape.com
