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NARROWBOAT HOLIDAY
ROUTES
Discover a new
view of Yorkshire, where the scenery is grander, the
waterways less crowded - and the beer cheaper!
Three canals cross the Pennines, each with
its own character, but all showing the determination of
two centuries ago to get goods moving across the hills
and build prosperity. Parts of this network has recently
been restored, and our communities are justly proud of
their achievements. Today on your narrowboat holiday you can see history all around as
you travel , but also how the West Riding is adapting to
21st century life. Our base among the restored warehouses of Sowerby Bridge Wharf is ideally
situated for exploring all three canals.
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Pennine & Yorkshire Waterways
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THINGS TO DO
As well as boating itself, there are loads of things to
do, sights to see and places to explore.
Click to see |
PLACES TO GO
Click for a taster of the towns and villages you can
visit to discover Yorkshire life in all its variety and
vitality |
EAT AND DRINK
See the pubs and restaurants our customers
enjoy |
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Where do you
want to go? |
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These very different
waterways offer a fresh discovery round
every corner. |
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The
Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the most northerly of the
trans-Pennine canals, makes its way through glorious scenery from
major cities to the edge of the Dales. It has staircase
locks, swing bridges and other features which give it a
strong identity which matches the grandeur through which
it strides.
Leeds &
Liverpool:
Out & Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes,
One Way Trips,
Rings |
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The
Rochdale Canal, in the middle, was fully reopened in 2002.
On the Yorkshire side, boaters marvel at its romantic scenery and stone-built towns
as they climb towards the summit. On the Lancashire side,
the buildings gradually change to red brick as you approach
Manchester, with its busy new canalside life.
Rochdale:
Short Break Routes,
Out & Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes,
One Way Trips,
Rings. |
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The
Huddersfield Narrow Canal, to the south, was re-opened in 2001. Short and heavily locked, the
canal combines wooded countryside, moorland views, and
reminders of the textile industry, from weavers'
cottages to giant mills (stone for wool, brick for
cotton) now reused for today's needs. It climbs from
either end towards the longest and highest canal tunnel
in Britain. You will see dramatic construction works, of
19th and 21st century canal and railway builders.
Huddersfield
Narrow:
Out &
Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes,
One Way Trips,
Rings. |
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These
three canals are linked on the Yorkshire side by river
navigations. The
Calder & Hebble is an old navigation, hidden in
the trees. The Aire & Calder is a modern waterway
which successfully mixes growing pleasure traffic with
environmentally friendly bulk transport.
Yorkshire
Navigations:
Short Break Routes,
Out &
Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes,
One Way Trips,
Rings. |
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The restoration of the Rochdale and
Huddersfield canals was achieved because the original
vision of the canal societies was seized on and realised by the
Local Authorities, funding agencies and British Waterways. We
congratulate them, and wish every success to the regeneration of
the areas through which the canals run. To find out more, or
offer your help, see our
Links. |
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How long have
you got? |
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A
brief introduction to our routes - click to go to our detailed route
pages and pictures. |
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Short breaks A short break on a boat really is the
fastest way to slow down. It's also the ideal thing for
your first trip. For an experience-packed yet relaxing
weekend, go up the Rochdale to Todmorden and back, or, a
little more gently, down the valley to Mirfield. And
remember that the midweek break gives you an extra day
for free!
Short Break Routes |
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One week out and back narrowboat holidays You can go up the
Rochdale nearly to the summit, then back down to
Brighouse and beyond. Enthusiasts like to go right over
to Rochdale and back. Or you can set off down the valley
to Selby, or onto the L&L to Bingley - hard work but
great fun. Experienced crews can do a good part of the
Huddersfield Narrow.
Out & Back Routes |
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10/11 day narrowboat holidays This gives you longer to enjoy
one of the week routes, or you can attack something more
demanding, such as Skipton and back. The very
experienced can do the South Pennine Ring (see below),
though we normally recommend a fortnight.
Out & Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes |
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Fortnights This really gives you the chance to
explore. Our fortnight customers go in all directions;
some make very long journeys, and others take the chance
to do some serious relaxing. You really can choose which
you'd like to do!
Out &
Back Routes,
Longer Out & Back Routes,
One Way Trips,
Rings. |
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Rings We have a good choice of rings, all with
stunning scenery and lots of locks. Our rings are
suitable only for crews with experience of canal locks.
The shortest can be done in 11 days by seriously
organised crews, but we recommend two weeks for some
routes and three for others.
Rings |
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One Way Trips You can choose from three routes,
each of which crosses the Pennines in a spectacular but
different way. These trips are suitable only for crews
with experience of canal locks. We arrange transfer by
minibus at reasonable extra cost.
One Way Trips |
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