boat trips manchester ship canal

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Manchester Ship Canal

• Detailed Overview
• Tour Itinerary
• Pick-up Points
• Departure Dates

Enjoy a relaxing day out cruising along the historic Manchester Ship Canal. As you travel along the canal, take in some spectacular scenery and enjoy a lively commentary from the on-board Blue Badge Guide telling the story of how this magnificent waterway shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England. The cruise will pass through locks and bridges that have remained largely unchanged since their construction over 100 years ago, and show you some of the region's most stunning architectural and natural sights.

The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise by Mersey Ferries will sail from Liverpool and the Wirral, travel along the captivating Manchester Ship Canal to the historic Latchford Locks and back, giving you the opportunity to experience a round-trip in the same day.

INCLUDED IN THIS TRAVEL PACKAGE

Mersey Ferries Manchester Ship Canal Cruise

Return coach travel from your local pick up point

Please CLICK HERE to view the booking conditions for ou r day excursions

Travel Arrangements

We travel to Birkenhead where we board a Mersey Ferries boat to begin our Manchester Ship Canal cruise. Relax as you travel under bridges mostly unchanged since they were built over 125 years ago and experience the rich legacy of Victorian architecture and engineering masterpieces like the Grade II listed Runcorn Rail Bridge and the Latchford High Level Bridge. At Latchford Locks the ferry will turn and start the return journey back to Liverpool and Wirral. As you sail back along the canal, through Eastham Locks into the River Mersey, you will get a breath-taking view of the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront in the distance. Enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the stunning coastline, Liverpool's famous skyline and historic buildings. The cruise will last between 5-6 hours and upon your return to Birkenhead, our coach will be waiting to commence the return journey home.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Pick-up Point Times

To make an online booking, please first select the number of passengers required in the dropdown menu below, then click the shopping trolley icon in the Book Now column. If the shopping trolley icon is unavailable, online booking is not currently available for this departure. Please call our reservations team on 01286 675175 or use the Call Back facility and a member of our team will be happy to assist.

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River Cruise in Manchester

Manchester river cruise (1 hour).

Manchester Sightseeing Cruises - Princess Katherine

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Relax with a Manchester boat trip between the city centre and Salford Quays.

Enjoy a relaxing river cruise floating down the river irwell and the historic ship canal between manchester city centre and the former manchester docks, now known as salford quays..

Board the Princess Katherine at Spinningfields in the city centre and listen to the onboard commentary as you enjoy this Manchester boat trip along the Irwell to Salford Quays for a 60-minute round trip. There are refreshments available onboard at the fully stocked bar, the perfect Manchester boat trip.

Cruise highlights See the Victoria & Albert Hotel, formerly a 19th-century riverside warehouse, George Stephenson’s 1830 Railway bridge and the striking new 2017 Ordsall Chord Bridge. Look out for the former Pomona Docks and Old Trafford football stadium, home to the world-famous Manchester United. At Salford Quays, admire the impressive glass and steel buildings of Media City including the ITV Studios which produce the long-running TV series ‘Coronation Street’. Don’t miss the BBC Studios, the Imperial War Museum North, Lowry Theatre and Gallery, the Millennium Bridge and striking new apartment blocks.

Timings  Regular* departures from Ralli Quay, opposite Manchester Spinningfields. Boarding is from the Salford side of the Irwell at Spinningfields, opposite the People’s History Museum and Dockyard Pub. Look out for the Manchester River Cruise flags on the riverside path that mark the boarding point.

The city centre boarding point is at Ralli Quay, which is opposite the People’s History Museum and Dockyard Pub.

Ralli Quay 3 Stanley Street Salford M3 5EJ

The nearest car park to the boarding point is the New Bailey MSCP, Salford. M3 5AY.

The boat docks at Salford Quays at Pier 8, beneath the Millennium footbridge, behind the Lowry Theatre.

* check river cruise website for latest sailing timetables, availability and latest information.

Discover more Sightseeing tours

Child (2-15 years)

DEPARTURE AND BOARDING POINTS

Boarding is from Ralli Quay, opposite the People’s History Museum and Dockyard Pub.

Departure from City Centre: 11:00 12:15 13:30 14:45

Optional drop off  at Manchester  Salford Qua ys: 11:30 12:45 14:00 15.15

Cruise ends Manchester: 12:00 13:15 14:30 15:45

Please ensure you arrive at least five minutes before stated departure time; the Princess Katherine cannot return to the quay once departed. Not all sailings run every day, please check the calendar for latest information.

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Click on the button below to visit our booking website and book tickets.

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Manchester River Cruises

Boat tours in manchester.

Set sail on a Manchester adventure with our guide to boat tours. Cruise along picturesque waterways, exploring the city's charm from a unique perspective. From scenic canal tours to dynamic river cruises, our curated recommendations promise a leisurely and informative journey. Enjoy iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and captivating narratives as you navigate Manchester's waters. Plan your aquatic escapade, and discover why boat tours are a must-experience, offering a refreshing and unforgettable way to explore the beauty of this dynamic city. Dive into the rich tapestry of Manchester's waterborne delights and create memories on a boat tour like no other.

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Set sail on a canal boat trip in the heart of Manchester

Manchester, greater manchester.

Whether you are looking for a short break or week-long trip, enjoy historic hands-on canal tours in Manchester.

On board the Wandering Duck, travel on a vast network of canals on this multi-day canal boat tour. During this unique hands-on experience, guests will learn how to steer the boat and work the locks. There will also be plenty of time for relaxing on board with real ale from a local micro-brewery. During the trip, the boat will sail past some of the hidden treasures of Manchester as well as going into the heart of countryside and national parks.

For those interested in the history of Manchester’s canal network, Manchester Ship Canal Cruises is the place to go, with lively commentaries bringing history to life on one of the country’s major waterways. The Manchester Youth Hostel overlooks the Bridgewater Canal in Castlefield and is the perfect place to stay for a canal adventure, with plenty of other city centre attractions only a short walk away.

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• Find out more about the Wandering Duck and plan your visit
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• Email Address [email protected]
• Contact Details 0871 222 8223

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City Centre Cruises

The original party boat, restaurant and canal barge tour company in manchester, operating passenger boat cruises on the canals of manchester for over 30 years, based in castlefield, manchester with two luxury purpose-built barges.

We offer restaurant, buffet, tour, party boat, corporate and water taxi services  

Licensed Bars | Onboard Chefs | Waiter Service | Music |  Karaoke | Central Heating

Moscow Boat Tour

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Description

See all the gems of historical and cultural center of the capital in short time and without traffic jams or tiresome walking.

Depending on the itinerary and duration of the Moscow River boat trip, the tour can be 3 or 5 hours.

Highlights of the tour

• St Basil’s Cathedral;
• Stalin skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya (Tinkers) embankment;
• The Kremlin;
• “House on the Embankment” Stalin skyscraper;
• Monument to Peter I;
• The Central House of Artists;
• Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Gorky Park;
• Moscow State University;
• Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Luzhniki stadium;
• Novodevichy Monastery;
• Kiev railway station;
• Europe Square;
• Moscow City Hall;
• Government House;
• Expocentre Exhibition Complex;
• and other famous sights.

You will learn about the different epochs of the city from the foundation in 1147 till Soviet times of 20 th  century.

Moscow River

Moskva river has the form of a snake and is the main waterway of Moscow, consisting of a cascade of reservoirs. Within the city, Moskva river is 80 km long, 120 m - 200 m wide and up to 14 m deep. The narrowest part of the river is the Kremlin area in the city center, and the most extensive is around the Luzhniki Stadium in the south. 

Bridges in Moscow

Undoubtedly, bridges and embankments are among the most scenic spots and main attractions of Moscow. Plus, they are so romantic.

• Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge –  Great Stone Bridge –  is the main bridge of Moscow . The first stone bridge was constructed here in the 17th century.
• Patriarshy Bridge  is one of the youngest pedestrian bridges, built in 2004. The bridge connects the iconic Christ the Saviour Cathedral with funky Bersenevskaya embankment, extremely popular place among locals for its trendy art galleries, cafes and panoramic views. Patriarshy Bridge used to be a shooting location for ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's New Year speech to the nation.
• Borodinsky Bridge,  erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the glorious victory in the Battle of Borodino (which every Russian kid knows about), a fierce legendary battle during the Russo-French war of 1812.
• Bagration Bridge  one of the  pedestrian bridges with most picturesque views of the Moskva River with its numerous upper-level observation platforms. The bridge was erected to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow city in 1997.
• Krymsky Bridge  used to be in Top 5 Europe’s longest bridges some 100 years ago. The bridge got its name after the ancient Krymsky ford which Crimean Tartars used to invade Moscow in the 16 th  century.

Embankments of Moscow

Moscow river boats 37 embankments, the most popular being Kremlevskaya, Sofiyskaya, Pushkinskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Kolomenskaya.

You can get the most spectacular views of the Kremlin from  Kremlevskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments.

• Pushkinkaya embankment  is the most romantic in Moscow. It meanders along Gorky Park and Neskuchnyi garden and is rich for all kinds of entertainment as well as cozy nooks, including Olivkovy beach, the famous Zeleny theater as well as a pier for river cruisers.
• Vorobyevskaya embankment  is part of Sparrow Hills nature reserve. This place opens a beautiful panorama of the river and city from the observation deck and is considered to be the place for taking serious decisions in life.
• Embankment in Kolomenskoye  Museum-Reserve has a special charm due to its peculiar geographical relief. The boat trip around Kolomenskoye would be the most peaceful in your life.
• Taras Shevchenko embankment  is popular among photographers for its modern Moscow City skyscrapers. Highly recommended for your night boat trip.
• Embankments of Moscow are the pride of the capital. A distinctive feature of each of the promenades is its architecture and beautiful views. In addition, almost all the embankments of Moscow have a rich history and a lot of notable buildings.

Different epochs

Taking a walk along the Moskva River by boat, you will witness the architecture of Moscow from different eras and styles. Archaeological studies indicate that already in the XI century there stood a fortified settlement on Borovitsky hill, which is now called the Kremlin. Little fortress could not accommodate all the residents of the rapidly growing city, and the Grand Duke ordered the construction of a new Kremlin, larger than the former.

Boat trip around Kolomenskoe Park

Moscow river boat trip starts from the pier Klenovy (Maple) Boulevard and provides reat views of Nicholas Perervinsky monastery.

Nicholas Perervinsky monastery was founded at the time of the Battle of Kulikov (1380). The monastery, got its name from the surrounding area – “Pererva”, which can be translated like “tear off” and because of the location –  here it abruptly changed its course, turning to Kolomna, standing on the opposite bank.

Nowadays Kolomenskoye is State Art, Historical, Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, which doors are open to everyone who wants to get in touch with the ancient history of Russia.

Take a break from the big city hustle in the shady parks and gardens of the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve. Don’t miss a wonderful Church of the Ascension and Tsar Alexey’s Palace in Kolomenskoye!

Monasteries and temples

• Novospassky Monastery
• Founded in the 13th century on the site where now is located the Danilovsky monastery. After a few decades, in 1330, Ivan Kalita moved the monastery onto the Borovitskii hill of the Kremlin. However, in the 15th century, Spassky Monastery again moved, this time to a more spacious place on Krasnoholmskaya waterfront.
• Church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitskom
• Erected in the middle of the XVIII century in baroque style. The building survived after the 1812 fire, but the utensils were destoyed. Parishioners collected donations and restored the temple on their own. In Soviet times, it was closed and re-opened only in 1992.
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The church was originally erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon and was being under construction for long 44 years. Notoriously demolished in 1937 to be a giant swimming pool under open sky. The current building was constructed in 1990s. It is the tallest and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
• The temple was built in 1679-82, during the reign of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, in late Muscovite Baroque style and can be characterized as bonfire temple. Each gable is a symbol of a heavenly fire.
• Novodevichy Convent
• The most famous concent and monastery in Moscow, presumably founded in 1524. Novodevichy’s status has always been high among other monasteries, it was in this monastery where the women of the royal blood, the wives of Tsars and local rulers of Moscow were kept in prison as nuns.
• St. Andrew’s church  (male acts as Compound Patriarch of Moscow)
• St. Andrew’s church stands right on the slopes of the Sparrow Hills, on the way down to the Moskva River, on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Sparrow Hills”. The monastery is small in size but is very cozy. It’s situated in a quiet courtyard surrounded by temples, fruit trees and flowers.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow river cruise.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Canal cruise in both St. Petersburg & Moscow - St. Petersburg Forum

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Canal cruise in both St. Petersburg & Moscow

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Thanks very much!

Absolutely! It is easy.

(2) Capital Shipping Company: http://www.cck-ship.ru/cck/cck/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=88

The cheapest one is option 2

As to St. Petersburg: there are so many companies/operators offering canal cruises . You will easy find the one that suits your personal interests

in St.Petersburg you will see lots of departure points along all the canals and Neva-river. Just buy a ticket on the spot and off you go. However, only few companies offer boat-trips in English. One of them is http://anglotourismo.com , there is another one for sure on Moika river... Prices (at least as of last year) were pretty much the same regardless of what route you take with what company. The routes vary and some are more interesting, some are less - they usually have a large map showing where they go. A trip lasts about 1 hour, cost around 600 rubles per person (last year numbers)

Thank you, this information is very helpful!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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• Salford Quays

We pick up from just underneath the Millennium lift footbridge at Salford Quays

Map Links –

https://w3w.co/words.spin.last

https://bit.ly/3slfoe3

Salford Quays is our main point for picking up for our sightseeing trips around the surrounding area. There is a lot going on at the Quays with the Lowry art centre and theatre hosting shows and events, the Imperial war museum and the BBC, as well a host of bars and hotels.

The closest parking is at the Quayside Mall – https://www.quaysidemediacityuk.co.uk/car-parking/