IF YOU think City Centre Cruises is just for tourists, think again. Confidential recently hopped aboard the Emmeline Pankhurst for an afternoon tea cruise - one of several tempting options - and saw another side to Manchester quite literally: from shady waterfront walkways to hidden street art gems to a plethora of interesting and surprising facts. Did you know, for example, that Guy Fawkes allegedly contrived his infamous gunpowder plot at Ordsall Hall? We didn’t either.

It wasn’t only the commentary and cruise that impressed. Afternoon tea more than matched our expectations

Emmeline Pankhurst is one of two City Centre Cruise luxury covered vessels, the other being L. S. Lowry, and we set off leisurely with a brief introduction to the fascinating suffragette leader.

From our Castlefield starting point, our route meandered along the Bridgewater Canal to the lock at Pomona before joining the Manchester Ship Canal and the spectacular developments of Salford Quays - arriving back where we began two and a half enjoyable hours later.  

Along the way, narrator John pointed out key sites with intriguing little sound bites: Potato Wharf has shipped spuds since the 1800s, a variety of which lends its name to the Oxnoble pub; the first lock on Rochdale Canal is named 92 rather than 1 because the chief sponsor was a Yorkshireman who didn’t want his canal to ‘start’ in Lancashire; Castlefield became the UK’s first urban heritage park in 1982...

It’s widely known that Manchester was the UK’s first industrial city, largely owing to its network of canals, which made the tour particularly interesting. With each factory, wharf and castellated viaduct comes an evocative tale and the area is steeped in history. From stonemasons’ markings used to gauge wages to steps that ensured horses pulling barges didn’t drown, the past can be seen in the most unexpected of places - if you know where to look.

John also pointed out contemporary developments - including the ‘glass zoo’ of Pomona to Old Trafford ‘Theatre of Dreams’ - a modern contrast which makes for some pretty dynamic photos. Arriving at the end of Bridgewater Canal we transited the lock, a clever process which everyone watched from the boat’s little viewing platform, before navigating the Ship Canal and entering the stunning stretch of Salford Quays. Spanning MediaCity to the Imperial War Museum and the Lowry (apparently  the North West’s most visited attraction), it’s incredibly photogenic and arguably best viewed from the water. As we were passed by speedy rowers, John also explained about the area’s watersports culture, alongside its internationally-renowned entertainment. From the Corrie set to container ships, it’s one of the city’s most bustling hubs of activity.

It wasn’t only the commentary and cruise that impressed. Afternoon tea was served around 45 minutes into the cruise and more than matched our expectations. All is freshly prepared by the chef and each person gets two mini quiches, wraps, sandwiches and little cakes each - plus a fruit-studded scone with cream and jam, not to mention endless cups of tea or coffee topped up by attentive waiting staff. Whilst flavours can vary from trip to trip, we tucked into the likes of goats cheese and onion quiche, sweet chilli chicken pastrami wraps and BLT sandwiches. Cakes included caramel and pecan, raspberry cheesecake and lemon sponge.

John mentioned at one point that it’s still possible to travel to London on inland waterways but that it would take three weeks, which inevitably drew a few laughs. If it was all like our experience with City Centre Cruises, however, it’d be no bad thing...   

Find out more 

Powered by wakelet