Hailed an ‘engineering wonder’ of the late Victorian age, the Manchester Ship Canal marks its 125th anniversary next year.
Group travellers with a keen interest in industrial heritage, nature and ecology can join the celebrations with a full day cruise along the world famous inland waterway.
Mersey Ferries are offering discounts for groups of 20 or more who set sail on the 35-mile voyage to revel in the canal’s construction and admire its breath taking views.
From May to October passengers will sail down the Mersey estuary to the canal where they will pass through locks and under bridges largely unchanged since they were built in 1894.
A captivating live commentary will tell the story of the canal and how it helped shape the north west of England.
Opened by HM Queen Victoria in 1894, the waterway immediately became the largest river navigation canal in the world and was a shining example of Victorian engineering. It spearheaded deep-sea shipping to the heart of Manchester and made the city’s port one of the busiest in Britain.
The sailing departs from Salford and Liverpool on selected dates and lasts approximately five to six hours. A licensed bar and café is available on board, selling refreshments and snacks throughout the cruise.
Mersey Ferries offers special discounted rates for groups of 20-plus. Tickets are £38 per person if return transport is arranged separately. The group price per person with return coach transfer is £41.
GTOs can choose which direction to take the cruise, starting at Salford or Wirral/Liverpool. Groups can be dropped at the departure point and collected six hours later at the end of the canal, or they can use the Mersey Ferries’ coach transfer to return back to their starting point.
Tickets
www.merseyferries.co.uk/groups/
0151-3301420
