This shows some of the
things you will see when you go to or from Burnley by the Calder
& Hebble, Aire & Calder and Leeds & Liverpool.
19. Between Sowerby Bridge and
Burnley, via Leeds by the Leeds & Liverpool.
95 miles 86 locks 50 hours
Sail down the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation past Brighouse,
and through wide river sections and narrow cuttings to
Wakefield, where there are good moorings not too far from the
bright lights. Then on to Stanley Ferry to see the famous
aqueducts and two very convenient and contrasting pubs.
You are now on the Aire & Calder, which is still a thriving
commercial waterway, though there are now many more pleasure
boats than barges. Electric locks and a wide channel help you
speed (relatively) round to Leeds, where you sail past the
regenerated waterfront. Then join the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
which quickly escapes along its own way through fields and
woods, with spectacular views of old West Riding industry -
particularly Sir Titus Salt's Italianate mills and model town at
Saltaire, with its Hockney museum. There are several staircase
locks along the way, which culminate in the Five Rise Locks at
Bingley, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
Carry on past the Five Rise and discover some of the most
spectacular scenery anywhere on the canals, with extensive views
of the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Skipton makes a splendid
place to moor while you explore the Dales by bus or on foot.
Then the canal wanders through the moors before the last three
locks lift you to the summit pool and so bring you to Foulridge
Tunnel - 1640 yards driven through the top of the Pennines.
Finally, drop down the Barrowford flight and into Lancashire,
arriving tired but happy in Burnley. Navigation notes: You require an
active crew; the L & L has many swing bridges as well as those
locks! At least one of the crew must have adequate experience
(you need to know how to pace yourselves, and we cannot give
lock instruction to those who chance to start from Burnley). Transfer arrangements for Burnley:
Your direction of travel will be advised the week before you
start: it depends on that taken by previous crews. Your
Information Pack has all details for both directions.
You will come first to Sowerby Bridge whichever way the boat is
going. All cars are parked here for security. The easy 20-mile
transfer by minibus or taxi to or from Burnley will accordingly
be at either the beginning (for the whole party) or the end (for
the whole party or just the drivers) of your holiday. Cost about
£40. Full information is sent to you in good time and details
are discussed with you. Those travelling entirely by train can
get to Burnley (Rose Grove station) and Sowerby Bridge from main
line trains at Manchester or Preston. This one-way trip is available only on Lincoln, Dorset or
Gloucester.
Shire Cruisers, The Wharf, Sowerby Bridge, West
Yorkshire HX6 2AG, England tel: 01422 832712 - Overseas tel: + 44
1422 832712 fax: 01422 839565 email:
info@shirecruisers.co.uk