St Helens: Around the Town Sections of St Helens Canal

Derek Smith

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This is a Town and canal circular walk to have a look at the final sections of the derelict St Helens Canal to its terminus. The walk therefore starts in the town centre from a suitable car park near the starting point, and as navigating a route along short town centre roads with quick changing scenery is not easy there are a lot of waymarks to assist you. About two thirds of the route is along the Ravenhead Greenway, much of which has been created from the route of the old canal. There are a few anti-motor bike snickets and occasionally steps to navigate on the route, but no gates, stiles or other obstacles, and all of the footpaths are hard and often surfaced. The first sections could be improved as the canal seems to be dry and filled with tall rushes and weeds and the path has a deep wet ditch close alongside. Along the return route the weeds vanish, and the canal becomes the original width and the numerous dropped bridges have created a series of deep-water canal sections. These have been improved with attractive landscapes and as you progress along the walk you will notice several of them have been developed into short linear parks. The final section of the canal is alongside the most recent of these, the re-developed new terminus from where the walk first started.

The walk is probably suitable for children, senior citizens and anyone in-between, it is also excellent for dogs, but hopeless for wheelchairs and buggies. Suitable footwear will be anything flat soled. On your route there are numerous fast-food outlets and other refreshments venues; many of them with public toilets. There are no picnic tables, but you will find the occasional bench seat. There is a small Wetherspoons opposite the car park where you should be able to get a good meal with a drink; an excellent finish to a good walk.

England - North England - Merseyside - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Toilets

2/25/2021 - Derek Smith

In addition to Sandra's warning, the car park is closed for demolition and site re-development. There are two adjacent car parks which you can use instead so parking instructions have been updated.

2/22/2021 - Amanda Seddon

The car park mentioned at the start is closed at the moment (22/2/2021). Not sure if it will be reopening any time soon. Don’t park on The Range car park or you could get a parking ticket!