With flat towpaths, historic canal features, and rich wildlife, the top locks on the Rufford Branch and Burscough, at the junction of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, are perfect for walking, cycling, or bird watching.
A 10-minute walk along the towpath will take you to Burscough and its courtyard whard. During the height of the Industrial Revolution, the wharf was home to a veterinary centre for the horses that pulled boats along the canal. The site included stables, canal cottage, weighbridge, chop house, warehouse, harness rooms, and offices. Today, it has been restored and is home to small arts and crafts businesses, shops, and cafes.
