Eastham

Opened in 1894, the Manchester Ship Canal was one of the last major canals to be constructed in Britain. It stretches for 36 miles from Eastham almost to the centre of Manchester.

Cruises operate along the ship canal. The six-hour cruise departs from both Seacombe and Liverpool and from Salford Quays, on selected dates from April to October. Many of the cruises include a stop-over in Liverpool or Salford Quays for you to visit The Lowry, Imperial War Museum, or Albert Dock and central Liverpool attractions, before buses collect and return you to your starting point.

The Eastham Ferry Hotel was built for the visitors who crossed the Mersey for the day out before the Ship Canal was built. At one time, it had fairground attractions, exotic gardens and a small zoo! The entrance was through a Triumphal Arch similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The area is now the Eastham Country Park and provides superb views across the estuary with its abundant birdlife and busy shipping lanes. The 100 acres of broadleaf woodland offers opportunities for peaceful walks, birdwatching and orienteering. A network of surfaced paths provide access throughout the woodland.

The Lowfields, close to Eastham Rake Station, is the start of a guided walk following Dibbinsdale Brook and leads onto the Wirral Way.