There were traffic jams on the towpath, and some strange craft on the water, as the Festival returned after an enforced absence of three years. More than 5,000 visitors came through the gates of Finsley Gate Wharf, and enjoyed a wide variety of free, have-a-go workshop activities, a music stage, walkabout performers, a purveyor of giant bubbles and even a pair of outsize dodos. Families followed an explorers’ quest along the towpath, took rides on a trip boat or messed around in canoes. The Festival was even visited by a mysterious golden barge, named Opal’s Comet.

Nick Hunt, Creative Director of Mid Pennine Arts, a partner in the Festival, said ‘We are delighted to be back after such a long and challenging time for everyone. We’re especially pleased to be able to introduce Festival goers to this lovely new facility at Finsley Gate Wharf. We were blessed with the weather, and we couldn’t be happier with the fantastic support we received. Seeing crowds of people exploring up and down the towpath makes all the hard work worthwhile. We’ll be getting back to work with our partners to learn from this one, and make BCF 2023 the best festival it can be.’

Find out more here burnleycanalfestival.org