12/06/2026
📜 Exploring the history of the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Opened in 1781, the Rufford Branch is a historic link between Burscough and the River Douglas, forming an important part of Lancashire’s canal heritage. Built during the height of the Industrial Revolution, it once carried coal, raw materials, and agricultural goods that helped power local industry and trade.
Today, this peaceful stretch of water is far removed from its busy commercial past. Instead, it offers a tranquil route through the countryside, where historic bridges, quiet towpaths, and rich wildlife tell the story of its working heritage.
A beautiful reminder of how industry and nature now exist side by side along one of England’s most scenic waterways ⚓🌿