Leeds & Liverpool Canal: one way boat hire

ONE WAY TRIP via LEEDS

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 Canal.

19. Between Sowerby Bridge and Foulridge, via Leeds by the Leeds & Liverpool. 82 miles 79 locks 45 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 Foulridge).
Transfer arrangements for Foulridge:
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 Foulridge 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 Foulridge (Colne station, taxi required) and Sowerby Bridge from main line trains at Manchester or Preston.
This one-way trip is available only on Dorset or Gloucester. Saturday start.