Sandwiched Between Liverpool And Blackpool Is England's Historic Village With Family Fun And Nature Trails

Sometimes, England's quietest little towns hold the greatest significance for its industrial history. The village of Burscough, for example, is centered around history — it sits along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, an important shipping route in the early 20th century. Today, locals and visitors can enjoy scenic strolls along the canal, as well as through the nearby wetlands of Martin Mere, which offers family canoe adventures and the chance to see playful otters up close. 

Burscough is only a 40-minute drive from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL). From there, visitors can make the journey to Burscough by car, train, or bus, with small towns and farmland providing quaint scenery along the way. From Blackpool to the north, the drive is a little under an hour. Buses and trains are available for transport as well, most of which go through the beautiful city of Preston.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a major focus of Burscough's heritage, as it made the village a hub of industry as far back as the late 1700s. The canal, which was developed into a shipping lane for various natural materials and supplies, was the heartbeat of Burscough's economy until progress eventually transformed many parts of it from industry to recreation. Today, the once-industrious Burscough Wharf is a collection of shops, eateries, and other leisurely activities. Burscough's history can also be found in over 30 Listed Buildings, including the beautiful Church of St. John, built sometime around the year 1830. Burscough's previously vast Martin Mere lake was drained with great effort over several decades for the purpose of exposing land for farming, but has since been revitalized into a thriving wetland habitat.

Many of Burscough's historical areas are now sources of fun for the family. The village's transformation into a welcoming tourist destination provides ample opportunities to enjoy what was once filled with bustling industry. Especially popular with little ones is Windmill Animal Farm, which features a converted 18th-century windmill that is now a quaint accommodation known as Windmill on the Farm. Furry little bunnies and guinea pigs can be held, and the family can take a train ride around the farm to see various other animals grazing in the fields. Numerous rides and activities fill the farm, making it fit for a full day of fun.

The 600-acre Martin Mere Wetland Centre is host to more animal adventures. It has a thrilling Canoe Safari, where the kids can help paddle through the waterways of the mere and see wetland wildlife up close, including beautiful flamingos and stately storks. The family can watch adorable otters being fed while learning all about them. Other activities include fowl feeding, a lively playground, and — during the warmer months – the Mere Tun, a recreated village showcasing the lives of ancient peoples like Saxons, Celts, and Vikings. History lovers will find more traces of Viking heritage in the coastal village of Heysham, roughly an hour from Blackpool.

For more modern family fun, Burscough's Fun Arena is a vast indoor complex with inflatable play structures, plastic ball pits, slides, and lots of food to keep everyone fueled for more play time. It's a whimsical way to spend an afternoon, and it even hosts popular nights for adults to enjoy playing like kids.

Burscough is surrounded by pastoral farmland, lush wetlands, and nature preserves. Various walking trails near its historic buildings and canals make for some glorious hiking and sightseeing. The North Burscough Trail begins at the historic bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It then winds all about nearby farms, circling back to the bridge for a moderate walk spanning a little over 5 miles. While the scenery is beautiful, several reviews warn of overgrown nettles near the trail. The canal extends to England's market town beauty of Burnley, another lovely destination for scenic strolls. 

Also worth exploring is the 2-mile Mere Sands Wood Loop. Located in Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve just a few miles north of Burscough, it is a rather easy walk suitable for all ages. Various species of waterfowl are known to frequent the inner pond, bordered by verdant woods filled with intriguing fungi of varying shapes and colors, giving this quiet space a fairytale-like atmosphere. Nearly all of the trails are wheelchair accessible, ensuring that no one is left out of experiencing this gorgeous natural spot. For additional wetland trails, drive 20 minutes from Burscough to Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve, one of Liverpool's most scenic nature retreats.

Martin Mere is home to trails where you can get your feet wet or stay dry, with beauty to admire at every turn. The longest trail of stepping stones in all of Europe can be walked here, according to the Martin Mere Wetland Centre, consisting of 143 stones above the waters of the mere. Those seeking a more immersive adventure can embark on the hollowed-out, shallow trail that's only a little over two inches deep, an accessible and fun way to explore the wetlands.