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Long boat holiday routes from Sowerby Bridge

Below we show some examples of routes which our customers enjoy. Distances and times shown are for the return trip. You can vary the distance to suit you, because there are plenty of turning points ('winding holes') marked in the guides on your boat. Information we provide about specific waterways or suggested routes is for general reference only. Please see more about route availability.

For everyone

Long boat holiday routes in Yorkshire and the north

One Way Map 14 or 21 Day Trip

In 10/11 days or a fortnight, you can do one of these longer routes, or simply take more time to enjoy one of our One-Week Routes.
And for experienced boaters, we have the most fantastic Rings, or our Adventure Holidays.

Bingley

Bingley 5 Rise Locks, on a long boat holiday Long Boat holiday on the Aire & Calder Navigation

110 miles 118 locks 55 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.

14 night holidays

Skipton

Long boat holiday near Skipton on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Moorings at Skipton on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

136 miles 128 locks 70 hours

Go to Bingley - see above.
Carry on along the hillside, with wide views of Airedale to one side, and the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the other. Pretty villages and lots of swing bridges - much easier these days - take you through to Skipton, Gateway to the Dales. Don't miss the castle! This return journey needs long days and good timing.

How to Book

Use this form to check availability. When you find the boat you want, click 'Book this holiday now' and you can pay your deposit or hold for 48 hours - or ring 01422 832712.

The counties are the names of the boats, not where they start from! Click the map for routes, and the boat for details

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Trip Review

"Moored at Rochdale & had rides on the trams and visited the Museum of Science & Technology in Manchester (very good)." - Mr Perkins, Westmorland

"Sowerby Bridge to Foulridge & return (first 3 weeks); Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge & return. Grand Départ at Skipton & Slisden. Skipton to Carlisle Railway. Gargrave to Morecambe by train. Clarence Dock - Leeds. All Leeds attractions/museums. East Riddlesden Hall. Temple Newsam. Hebden Bridge - towpath walk to Littleborough. Haworth by bus. K&WVR railway. Heptonstall by bus then walked to HB. Grandma Pollards Fish & Chips. Enjoyed 'The Moorings Pub & Kitchen' last night." - Mr & Mrs Thistlethwaite, Cambridge (Australia)

"Thoroughly enjoyable experience. The scenery towards the summit is stunning. People were largely very friendly. We had an excellent meal at the White Lion in Hebden Bridge." - Mrs Challand

"Variety of scenery from industrial to countryside. Pubs varied from locals to chains but all good. People met were friendly & helpful - especially on other boats. " - Mr Pick, Buckingham

"Loving cruising over the summit. Good pubs/food. Great walks - 3 days at Hebden Bridge." - Mr Pike, Sussex

"Excellent. Wide variety of culture (eg Skipton Castle), pubs various, cheerful people but most of all stunning scenery." - Mr Mattick, Sussex

"The upper section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was spectacularly beautiful." - Andrea & Dan, Devon (USA)

"Wide range of people en route - local youths, friendly walkers, cyclists, young children - gave them a ride. Culture - Hepworth Gallery & Henry Moore in Leeds. Didn't make it to David Hockney at Saltaire!" - Mrs Pinnock, Cornwall

"Skipton Castle, Leeds Armoury & Saltaire very interesting. Good variety of scenery & waterways. Very nice walk on last day from Todmorden back to Sowerby Bridge." - Mr Maynard, Worcester

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