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Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Manchester
Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Manchester: every place written up honestly, with the details parents actually need.
13 places 2 free to visit
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
FreeDaisy Nook Country Park
Manchester
A free country park with a play area, ponds to dip in and canal paths for a wander or a bike ride.
CaféOutdoor playParkingPicnic area+2 more
East Lancashire Railway - (Irwell Vale Station)
Bury
A small, quiet station on the East Lancashire Railway where you board heritage steam or diesel trains and wander the sculpture trail alongside the Irwell.
CaféDog friendlyFood on siteParking+3 more
East Lancashire Railway - (Ramsbottom Station)
Bury
A steam train ride out to Ramsbottom for duck spotting, woodland and a playground by the platform.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféGift shop+4 more
East Lancashire Railway - Heywood Station
Heywood
Hop on a heritage steam or diesel train from Heywood and rattle out through countryside to villages along the line.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingFree parkingGift shop+3 more
East Lancashire Railway - Rawtenstall Station
Rossendale
A proper steam train ride out of Rawtenstall, ending in a cobbled mill town worth a wander.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+1 more
from £16Floating Holidays
Middlewich
A self-drive canal boat holiday where you learn to sail the boat yourself and fish straight from the deck.
Parking
from £8Hebden Bridge Cruises
Hebden Bridge · up to age 12
A 50 minute narrowboat cruise along the canal with commentary on history and wildlife, capped at 12 people a trip.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredDog friendlyFood on site+3 more
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
from £8Sightseeing Manchester
Manchester
An open-top bus loop round Manchester's big sights, with a ticket that lets you hop off and back on for two days.
Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre - Canal & River Trust
Huddersfield
Boat trips through Britain's longest canal tunnel, plus a towpath walk and tea and cake afterwards.
CaféCard onlyParkingToilets+1 more
from £150Worsley Day Boat Hire
Manchester
Hire your own boat on the Bridgewater Canal and spot herons, ducks and whatever else is nesting on the bank that day.
Dog friendlyPicnics allowedToilets
Good to know: steam railways & boat trips in Manchester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and Daisy Nook Country Park are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £8 at Hebden Bridge Cruises. 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, Bury, Heywood, Rossendale and 4 more. Every place we list is in or around Manchester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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