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Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Liverpool
The Wheel of Liverpool is the easy one, a glass capsule spinning slowly over the Albert Dock for a 40-minute go from £10, right where you can walk to it. Everything else means a trip out. Lancashire Canal Cruises in Ormskirk let kids take the tiller and wear the captain's hat, working the swing bridges as you go, and it is booked as a family group rather than turning up on the day. Out at Wigan, Kittywake Canal Cruises does a proper sit-down meal on board, pizza or a full roast, with a lock or two thrown in. For free, the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre in Northwich is the one to go for, with a play area, a maze made from old counterweights and toilets and a cafe on site, though it is a longer trip out. Toddlers will manage the Wheel of Liverpool easily; older kids who fancy steering suit Ormskirk better. If you want food and drink built in, Wigan and Bridgewater Cruises in Manchester (a longer trip too) both do seasonal cruises with meals or Christmas and Easter crafts, but check the booking rules before you set off.
8 places 1 upcoming event 1 free to visit
What's on: steam railways & boat trips
Places for steam railways & boat trips
FreeAnderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre
Northwich
Free to visit engineering landmark with a boat trip, a play area and a maze made from the lift's old counterweights.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+2 more
Bridgewater Cruises
Manchester
A slow boat along the Bridgewater Canal with seasonal cruises built around Santa or Easter crafts.
Birthday partiesCard onlyGroup bookingsFood on site
from £11City Explorer Liverpool
Liverpool · ages 5-16
Hop on and off an open-top bus at 11 landmarks round Liverpool, with a live guide and a 24-hour ticket.
Toilets
Kittywake Canal Cruises - Wigan
Wigan
A canal cruise with a proper meal on board, from pizza to a full roast, and a lock or two along the way.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsFood on site+2 more
Lancashire Canal Cruises
Ormskirk
Kids get to steer the boat, wear the captain's hat and work the swing bridges on a canal holiday you book as a family group.
Allergy awareBooking requiredDog friendlyFree parking+5 more
Liverpool Boat Charter
Liverpool
A cruise along the Mersey past the Liver Buildings, Albert Dock and Gormley's statues, with a stop at New Brighton for refreshments.
Food on siteToilets
from £25Splash Tours Liverpool
Liverpool
An amphibious vehicle tour round Liverpool's streets that then drives straight into the Royal Albert Dock for a splashdown.
Birthday partiesBlue badge parkingPram storagePublic transport nearby+1 more
from £10Wheel of Liverpool
Liverpool · ages 0+
A slow 60-metre spin over the Albert Dock in a glass capsule, done and dusted in under 40 minutes.
Bike parkingBlue badge parkingPublic transport nearbyWheelchair accessible
Good to know: steam railways & boat trips in Liverpool
Are any of them free?
Yes, Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre is free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £10 at Wheel of Liverpool. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find steam railways & boat trips in Northwich, Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan and Ormskirk. Every place we list is in or around Liverpool, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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