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Experience - Sowerby Bridge start
"Plenty of nesting geese! Lots of heavy showers of rain, but a good experience nonetheless. Walked to Todmorden from H.B. & also Gibson Mill - great walks." - Bedford, Devon
"Met very interesting people. Had a walk around Cromwell Nature Reserve." - Kevin, Suffolk
"Thorne & Doncaster. Nice cruise between cuts / canal / river." - Hill, Dorset
"Seeing Huddersfield Narrow both ways was an experience. Other boaters friendly. Made new friends." - Dave, Lincoln
"Very enjoyable pubs & great scenery." - Harburn, Hereford
"Stunning scenery. Hebden Bridge lovely. The bit between Locks 11 & 12 very pretty." -Mel & Rich, Oxford
"Interesting scenery, history. Locals friendly." - Keyes, Buckingham
"Walked a little of the Pennine Way from Bridge 21 - stiff climb but great views from up top. Hebden Bridge was our favourite spot. Lovely, interesting shops & buildings. Bus trip to Heptonstall was well worth it." - Farrimond, Devon
"Beautiful area, lovely to be able to walk along canal to pubs, shops etc." - Venyige, Oxford
"Very enjoyable, would recommend. Hebden Bridge good place to stop. Nice trail / circular walk at Summit." - Harvey, Worcester
"Brilliant! Super scenery." - Midgley, Gloucester
"Scenery lovely, people all very friendly & helpful. Interesting walks from the canal." - Barnard, York
"Scenery wonderful, improving as we got higher. Enjoyed time in Hebden Bridge & Heptonstall. Everyone friendly." - Gibson, Suffolk
"Beautiful scenery. Nice people and pubs." - Fluitsma, Gloucester (Netherlands)
"Scenery amazing, people very friendly & helpful, pubs OK. Lots of walking. Bus/train to villages & Halifax, Shibden Hall" - Jennings, Bedford
"Everyone very friendly on the towpath. Enjoyed the rural scenery. Good mooring at Brighouse." - Watchus, Lincoln
"Scenery outstanding, people friendly." - Mantle, Hereford
"Good mix of Victorian industry & towns; rural & agricultural. We talked to many interesting people! Some on hire boats and some who live on their boats.
Recommended: Coal mining museum *****; Thackery Medical Museum & Royal Armories in Leeds *****; Hepworth Gallery Wakefield ***; Hebden Bridge & Heptonstall; Skipton. Downtown Leeds good fun walking around. Saltaire was v. interesting *** right on canal, good mooring. Kirkstall Abbey - happened to be there on market day. fabulous! Ruined abbey **** maybe 15 mins walk from canal." - Meikle/Schulman, Dorset (USA)
"Scenery 10/10 - lots of lovely friendly people. Our dog had a super play at Luddendenfoot with other dogs in the park. Hebden Bridge interesting." - Walsh, Suffolk
"Scenery is beautiful and we had a great time talking to locals on the tow path, other boaters. Some lovely walks from the boat." - Barnicott, Hereford
"Brilliant experience with very friendly people and beautiful places along the way." - Steele, Hereford
"Was very enjoyable. We went to Wakefield Cathedral, Wakefield sculpture garden, Leeds industrial museum and Hiltons Sky Lounge." - Copping, York
"Very pretty on the Rochdale. Loved Hebden. V. Vibrant. All the people we met on & off the canal were very friendly." - Turner, Suffolk
"Fascinating. Met friendly people. Saw a kingfisher and an angry swan." - Bryce, Northumberland
"We absolutely loved every minute of our holiday. Everyone on the waterways have been friendly & helpful. People have waved as we passed them by. The wildlife - birds, insects, fish, rabbits, cows, horses have been amazing - families of birds everywhere. Pubs and places to eat have been brilliant." - Bartch, Rutland
"Played tennis in Brighouse, walking it to the Park." - Webster, Suffolk
"We have had a very enjoyable break. The children (12 & 14) have loved getting involved with working the locks and driving the boat." - Wilson, Norfolk
"Had an excellent time! Weather was glorious. Stopped at Elland, Brihouse, Mirfield & Salterhebble." - Day, Sussex
"Surprised by width of river/canals - splendid rural scenery. Selby is a delight and we felt Leeds had much to offer." - Northcott, Buckingham
"People very friendly & helpful. Brighouse & Mirfield nice towns close to canal." - Gavin, Devon
"Great scenery and wildlife, beautiful sunset. Went to Barge & Barrel, walked around Elland & Brighouse " - Kirkham, Oxford
"All excellent, much friendlier than previous canal holidays." - Bramwell, Bedford
"Delightful scenery, birds & towns en route." - Perkins, Northumberland
"We visited Selby Abbey - highly recommended.
Big sky, sweeping river vistas, good views." - Janet, Dorset
"Especially given that this trip wasn't what we'd planned, we enjoyed ourselves greatly - always a delight to visit familiar places by water, and find out about new places. Selby, Thorne, Doncaster, Castleford, Mirfield & Brighouse all had their attractions." - Divall, Bedford
"Good mix of rural countryside (saw lots of kingfishers) and urban towns & cities. Sheffield was unexpectedly nice." - Edwards, Cambridge
"Everyone we met along the towpath were very friendly & helpful. Brighouse nice for shops & pubs, next to Sainsburys! Enjoyed wildlife!" - Parker, Worcester
"Fantastic experience. 1st timers on canals. Will definitely do it again. House boat residents friendly & helpful." - Dawson, Oxford
Experience - One way trips
"Very varied. Lots of cygnets, ducklings, goslings etc. Saw kingfishers. Bingley 5 Rise fab. Very varied route." - Peacock, Dorset
"Leeds & Liverpool was delightful, but we enjoyed the varied scenery along our route." - Rioch, Somerset
Food & drink
"2 GBR real ale pubs. Micro pubs Doncaster, Brighouse, Castleford & 2 Wetherspoons." - Hill, Dorset
"Italian in Luddenden Foot, various in Hebden B & Todm. - JD Spoons." - Brown, Hereford
"The White Lion Hebden Bridge fantastic." - Mel & Rich, Oxford
"Plenty of places to eat out - suits all tastes." - Keyes, Buckingham
"Olive Branch in Hebden Bridge - good for Greek/Turkish. Old Gate, Hebden Bridge - excellent Sunday roast." - O'Reilly, Worcester
"Vocation Brewery Bar - wonderful choice of great beers. Rim Nam Thai Restaurant does great food." - Farrimond, Devon
"Enjoyed a meal at Syhiba in Sowerby Bridge." - Midgley, Gloucester
"Hospitality and food excellent in all pubs." - Barnard, York
"Nice visit to the pub at Stubbing Wharf." - Knut, Oxford
"Fri night moored in Hebden Bridge. Ate at Rim Nam Thai Restaurant - excellent meal, very busy, great staff & really convenient. Sat night moored at Stubbing Wharf pub, good pub grub but quiet after 9pm. Sun night moored at boatyard (early start Mon). Ate at Syhiba Indian restaurant, cash only, bring your own alcohol only." - Kellett, York
"Pubs good value for money. Olive Branch in Sowerby was a particular highlight." - Mantle, Hereford
"Pubs: Victoria in Allerton Bywater (good food); Leggers in Savile Town (excellent food)." - Meikle/Schulman, Dorset (USA)
"Loved the Bar & Tapas Mytholmroyd (was Delice)." - Walsh, Suffolk
"Stubbing Wharf pub did a good meal." - Barnicott, Hereford
"Stubbing Wharf ✔ Navigation Inn ✔ The Moorings ✔ Shepherds Rest ✔ The Old Gate ✔ Shoulder of Mutton ✔ Jeremys ✔ Mamil ✔." - Corrigan, Suffolk
"Last night at Alexander's - very nice." - Copping, York
"Fox & Goose pub brilliant. Brighouse pub the Commercial Railway is an amazing community pub - pool, darts, domimos, folk group all on same evening." - Turner, Suffolk
"Leggers, Dewsbury (Arm), Navigation Inn (Broad Cut)." - Bartch, Rutland
"Jeremys in Brighouse lovely pub." - Webster, Suffolk
"Leggers Pub very good. Casa pub/restaurant - very good, smart, modern. Millers Pub Brighouse - excellent food & service." - Steele, York
"Millers Bar in Brighouse was a highlight - great beer, food & environment." - Day, Sussex
"Volunteer Arms - v. good." - Gavin, Devon
"Brooks restaurant in Brighouse highly recommended. Great food and waiting staff." - Hughes, Hereford
"We had 2 canalside BBQ's and visited the Navigation in Calder Grove, Leggers in Dewsbury (great pies)." - Hinton, Hereford
"Good fish & chips at Crigglestone (Kingfisher takeaway)." - Parker, Worcester
"Visited many pubs. Particularly good ones were Gorilla Beer Hall, Mexborough, Griffin Inn Castleford, Kings Head Pollington, Navigation Mirfield." - Booth, Westmorland
The boats
"Excellent layout, well equipped & in good condition. Comfortable & warm. A great base." - Bedford, Devon
"Excellent." - Kevin, Suffolk
"Best boat ever. V. comfortable everything we needed. Really good fridge. Fantastic toilet - no smell! Good shower." - Dave, Lincoln
"Heating & hot water exceeded expectations." - , Suffolk
"Good condition, quiet engine." - Keyes, Buckingham
"Boat was excellent. Very clean and in good condition. Contained everything needed for a canal boat trip. Boat was easy to control, steer and moor." - Barnard, York
"Well appointed boat with ample storage." - Gibson, Suffolk
"Excellent as always." - Kellett, York
"Galley is fine. Even baked bread & birthday cake. Pleased w/ storage space compared to hire companies in midlands. Boat well kitted out with most necessities, great layout for our group. Boat a bit more well maintained than some we have seen." - Meikle/Schulman, Dorset (USA)
"Fabulous. Everything we needed and everything worked. We slept so well, and enjoyed just relaxing in a very comfortable space." - Walsh, Suffolk
"Very happy with it all." - Barnicott, Hereford
"Shower is amazing as is the toilet." - Corrigan, Suffolk
"Boat was excellent and perfectly equipped." - Steele, Hereford
"Really loved the boat - so much storage space. Well laid out, super shower, well equipped." - Turner, Suffolk
"Brilliant layout and equipt with everything we needed and more. Clean and tidy inside and it all worked." - Bartch, Rutland
"Boat excellent. Shower/Bathroom much better than expected. Beds comfy. A lot more storage than we predicted." - Webster, Suffolk
"Excellent." - Wilson, Norfolk
"Good & spacious - very good kitchen supplies." - Steele, York
"Boat was superb! Was slightly nervous about how all 8 of us (7 humans, 1 dog) would fit in the space but was impressed with how much room we had. Ample storage as well." - Day, Sussex
"Great boat, plenty of room and greatly equipped." - Kirkham, Oxford
"Excellent (for two couples). Best bathroom/WC/shower we have experienced in over 30 years of hiring. Generous headroom appreciated!" - Walker, Buckingham
"Very well laid out & equipped, and in excellent condition." - Divall, Bedford
"Boat was great!" - Edwards, Cambridge
"Plenty of equipment. Great facilities. Boat handled very well. Very effective heating system. All worked very well." - Parker, Worcester
Service
"Really good service." - Bedford, Devon
"Support from Susan was excellent." - Dave, Lincoln
"Many, many thanks for bringing a spare key up to us in Hebden Bridge, and apologies for calling you out - the "lost" key turned up in the hood of my spare jacket." - Farrimond, Devon
"Good reception on arrival, organised & welcoming. Prompt departure." - Kellett, York
"Very helpful where possible & supportive during some challenging times. Really good line of communication with Susan & Nigel." - Jennings, Bedford
"Brilliant reaction to our plea for help. Dave appeared with his Stanley knife within a very short space of time & was cheerful throughout the 1 ½ hrs it took to free the 'tent' from the prop despite being up to his elbows in canal water half the time." - Mantle, Hereford
"Very helpful - a lovely welcoming, happy team 😊." - Pickering, Buckingham
"Excellent. Navigation closure were disappointing but Susan helped us work out an alternate route and kept in touch with the Captain via email with updates. Instant response to phone inquiry about water pump." - Meikle/Schulman, Dorset (USA)
"Service was great - you came out and helped us get off when we grounded the first evening." - Barnicott, Hereford
"Great service." - Corrigan, Suffolk
"Excellent. We felt very well supported at all stages of our holiday." - Rioch, Somerset
"Thank you all so much - we will be recommending you to everyone. A 5 star experience. A week full of smiles, laughter and family time that we will never forget. Relaxing yet good exercise. We are now happy it happened but sad it is over." - Bartch, Rutland
"Very helpful call with Nigel." - Steele, York
"Friendly & knowledgeable staff. Thanks so much for a brilliant family holiday - many great memories made." - Day, Sussex
"Very helpful. When rudder struck something, good assistance." - Bramwell, Bedford
"We'll be back five stars." - Hughes, Hereford
"Very helpful & friendly staff - personable." - Perkins, Northumberland
"We needed assistance once, and it was very efficient." - Janet, Dorset
"Excellent - all staff are professional & friendly & knowledgeable." - Sue & Dave, Devon
"Helpful throughout, including the period as the original itinerary, and Plan B, fell away." - Divall, Bedford
"Always v. helpful & thank you for your understanding and help when we had to rearrange the holiday." - Edwards, Cambridge
Information Pack
"Loved the pack. Was really helpful." - Dave, Lincoln
"Printed really well, gave a good grounding." - , Suffolk
"Excellent." - Keyes, Buckingham
"Information sent via email was extremely useful and informative." - Barnard, York
"More info, & well organised, than other hire companies. On boat handbook is superb." - Meikle, Dorset (USA)
"The information pack was essential for us newby's! Very useful information to have before setting off. Thanks." - Walsh, Suffolk
"Really useful, very detailed." - Barnicott, Hereford
"Great, really useful." - Corrigan, Suffolk
"Online info - good - were able to share with others in our party." - Pickering, Buckingham
"Full of useful information. Probably the best we have received." - Rioch, Somerset
"Very helpful and very useful. Everything was explained and made our trip a very positive experience." - Bartch, Rutland
"Very useful. Contained all the information we needed." - Wilson, Norfolk
"Really useful - had everything we needed." - Day, Sussex
"Fully informed both literature and online." - Kirkham, Oxford
"Useful & comprehensive." - Walker, Buckingham
"The information on the boat is the best we have ever received in 20+ years of boating." - Hinton, Hereford
"Brilliant - good to know what to expect especially when you are novices." - Sue & Dave, Devon
"Very good and very helpful." - Parker, Worcester
Handover
"Excellent tuition." - Bedford, Devon
"Simon was fantastic." - Kevin, Suffolk
"A good briefing at handover." - Hill, Dorset
"Handover was very good. All details covered." - Dave, Lincoln
"Very well done." - Harburn, Hereford
"Excellent - very well planned & informative." - Venyige, Oxford
"Extremely thorough handover was good. Simon excellent instructor." - Harvey, Worcester
"Brilliant. Made to feel comfortable as soon as we arrived. A lot to take on board but explained well and the backup of the manual on board was useful." - Midgley, Gloucester
"Briefing was good and staff member on board showing how to use locks etc. was invaluable." - Barnard, York
"Excellent, Josh again, great advert for the company. Friendly knowledgeable and understanding with beginners. Remembered us from previous visits." - Kellett, York
"Thorough, well explained, pleasant, helpful." - Jennings, Bedford
"Very comprehensive & entertaining enough to hold the attention throughout - Simon did a great job." - Mantle, Hereford
"Excellent. Maybe one of the most thorough we have seen. Was exceptional to have boatyard workers help us through the Salterhebble locks because we have never used handspikes before." - Meikle/Schulman, Dorset (USA)
"Brilliant - Josh was a star and we learnt so much very quickly. Thanks." - Walsh, Suffolk
"Great handover, Brian was really knowledgeable & helpful." - Corrigan, Suffolk
"Was excellent made to feel welcome & calm." - Steele, Hereford
"I felt confident after my handover." - Copping, York
"Excellent handover, really liked the staff." - Pickering, Buckingham
"The handover was great. It was fantastic to have a staff member on board for so long at the start." - Turner, Suffolk
"Brilliant. All staff were excellent, cheerful and very friendly. The help and instructions from the start to the first 3 locks was amazing - Thank you so much - it made our holiday an experience we will continue to talk about for a long time. It has been brilliant." - Bartch, Rutland
"Great, really nice bloke." - Webster, Suffolk
"All good, excellent tuition through the 1st locks." - Wilson, Norfolk
"Josh was brilliant." - Steele, York
"Really comprehensive handover with regards boats and locks." - Day, Sussex
"Very good (Josh)." - Gavin, Devon
"Jim great instructor, very friendly, supporting and patient. We also met Steve on the waterways (Sckorpio) very helpful, chatty and informative on places to visit." - Kirkham, Oxford
"Excellent. Although much to take in it was well delivered." - Perkins, Northumberland
"Excellent. Learnt lots & very helpful." - Sue & Dave, Devon
"1st class handover & very thorough to explain everything we needed to know." - Parker, Worcester
"Very good, took us through the Salterhebble Locks. An informative briefing before departure." - Booth, Westmorland