The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Burscough and shapes the character of the town. Burscough Wharf and Burscough Augustinian Priory offer different historical perspectives; Martin Mere Wetland Centre is also a bookable visitor attraction. Burscough therefore offers points of interest for a stay focused on canal history, Roman traces and medieval heritage.

By the canal: Burscough Wharf

The historic features of Burscough Wharf include identifiable stables, a canal house, a weighing machine, a store and chaff house, barns, a warehouse, harness rooms and offices. This variety of named building types adds another perspective on Burscough’s history alongside the canal that shapes the character of the town.

There are also some practical details to help plan a visit to the Wharf: Burscough Bridge railway station and the bus station are 200 yards from Burscough Wharf. Bike hire is available from the Wharf’s Central Courtyard. The railway and bus stations are useful for planning your journey; bike hire is another option available right at the Wharf.

Roman traces

Burscough Roman Fort is a Scheduled Monument. Its main features include a Roman auxiliary fort, sections of Roman roads and a later Roman fortlet. Both military structures and transport routes are therefore part of the town’s Roman history. The reference to the later fortlet also indicates a chronological distinction among the Roman features mentioned.

For choosing a historical focus, this site offers a different perspective from the Wharf or the Priory: here, the focus is on an auxiliary fort, road sections and a later fortlet. Those interested in Roman history will find a clearly identified archaeological point of interest in Burscough, distinct from the Priory’s medieval remains.

Burscough Augustinian Priory

Burscough Augustinian Priory was founded around 1190 by Robert Fitz Henry, Lord of Lathom and Knowsley, and dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The remains still standing above ground today include two sandstone piers from the late 13th century at the junction of the north transept and crossing, the springing of the north arcade arch and the stump of the north choir wall.

The transept is the crosswise part of a church building; the crossing is the area where the transept and nave meet. These terms help locate the two piers within the church building. The springing of the arcade arch and the stump of the choir wall identify other specific architectural features. The foundation date of around 1190 can be distinguished chronologically from the dating of the piers to the late 13th century: the first date refers to the founding of the Priory, while the second applies to two of its surviving architectural features.

Other remains of the Priory include the church, almshouse, cloister, chapter house, refectory, monks’ reading room, guests’ reading room, guest hall, prior’s garden and guests’ garden. These features include not only parts of the church but also spaces for monastic life and guests, as well as two gardens.

Another visitor attraction

Martin Mere Wetland Centre is in Burscough and is a bookable visitor attraction. It offers another possible activity alongside the town’s historical themes. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus your time mainly on the Roman and medieval traces, the canal running through Burscough and the Wharf, or a visit to Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

Discover more destinations: Kirkham, Croston, Withnell, Over Kellet, Pilling, Hoghton, Fleetwood, Penwortham

For the broader travel overview: Lancashire.