This new tour combines the glorious scenery of Lancashire’s beautiful and historic Ribble Valley, its pretty market towns and delightful country roads, with a cruise on one of Britain’s most important waterways – The Manchester Ship Canal.

ITINERARY

Day 1 After a morning pick up from your home, we travel northwards to the Ribble Valley, making suitable refreshment stops along the way and arriving at our hotel late afternoon.

Day 2 We spend the morning in the historic market town of Clitheroe, guarded by the Norman Keep of Clitheroe Castle which has overlooked the town and famous market since the 12th century. In the afternoon we take a tour through some of the by-roads around Longridge Fell, before visiting Whalley Abbey standing on the banks of the River Calder, where there is an interesting Visitor Centre, Cloisters Coffee Shop and a gift shop.

Day 3 We travel to Salford Quays to board our Mersey Ferries ship for a leisurely six hour cruise along the whole length of the legendary Manchester Ship Canal. We travel the 35-miles of the canal, enjoying spectacular scenery and a lively commentary along the way, telling the story of how this magnificent waterway shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England. We pass some spectacular scenery and see some of the region’s most stunning architectural and natural sights. Refreshments and snacks can be purchased on board. We disembark at Pier Head, Liverpool and make our way back to the hotel by coach.

Day 4 Today we head through the Forest of Pendle via Gisburn before arriving in Skipton for lunch. This pretty town has a castle and some pleasant walks along the canal which passes through the centre of the town. We return to the hotel through the beautiful Ribble Valley.

Day 5 Departing after breakfast, we travel south with a stop in Stratford-upon-Avon for lunch and sightseeing. We reach the local area early evening.