Long boat holiday routes on northern waterways

LONG BOAT HOLIDAY ROUTES on northern waterways

If you have time for a long boat holiday then you can really explore. We offer you some epic voyages for really experienced boaters - and some memorable trips for those who prefer a more relaxing journey.

Mileages are for the return trip to Sowerby Bridge. Times are for guidance.

New for 2010 - out and back trips on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

You can also do three Rings. These offer superb opportunities to very experienced boaters.

Slideshow of routes down the Calder Valley from Sowerby Bridge

Slideshow of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Slideshow of the Rochdale Canal

LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL
10. Bingley 5-rise 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 and a fitting climax to your journey. Return the same way.

ROCHDALE CANAL
11. Rochdale and Brighouse 54 miles 120 locks 55 hours
Leaving our historic canal basin, your journey begins with the excitement of a new tunnel and the deepest lock in the country. The canal gradually climbs through woods, fields and small stone towns to Hebden Bridge. This old mill town nestles in a fork in the hills, houses piled tier upon tier. Hebden has excellent shops and is full of surprises - everything from horsey clothing to hand-made pottery. Untie, and go on up the valley, its sides closing in with crags and trees and views of the moors high above. A stream runs alongside, and the locks are set among woods or stone cottages. The Pennine Way crosses at Callis.
So to Todmorden, completely untouristy yet with much to enjoy - fine Victorian buildings, especially the Town Hall, a lively market and many places to eat and drink, all dominated by a curving railway viaduct.
From here the going gets serious – more Alpine than Pennine. Pass the Great Wall of Todmorden, go under a splendidly overdone Gothic railway bridge, then stop at the Cross keys (much recommended). Keep going, with high hills on either side, to the summit, the second highest (just) in England at 600’. Pause at the Summit Inn, your first in Lancashire, before making the steep drop into Littleborough, 12 locks in 2 miles. Visit the secondhand bookshop, then carry on past Clegg Hall (a Grade 1 listed ruin) and through the edge of Rochdale - surprisingly sylvan - and to its centre. Carry on to Lock No. 50, and turn just below.
Return to Sowerby Bridge and on down the Calder Valley through the woods to Brighouse. Good shopping, including a Sainsbury's with its own moorings, plentiful pubs and time to relax. Finally, make your way back to base.
Navigation notes: This journey is recommended for experienced crews only. The  western half of the Rochdale Canal is not yet in as good condition as other canals and you may experience difficulty or delays. Some of the locks can be hard work. Passage between Locks 36 and 37 (the summit) must be booked (7 days). We will give further details in the Notes posted to you in good time before your holiday.

LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL
12. Skipton 136 miles 128 locks 70 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 along the hillside, with views of the wide Aire valley 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.

VIA RIVER DON
13. Sheffield 158 miles 114 locks 70 hours
Not an obvious holiday destination, but a fascinating canal journey through a rapidly rejuvenating area to the newly restored basin near the city centre. Enthusiasts enthuse; try it. Not so many locks, and many of them are electric, but still quite a long return journey.

VIA RIVER OUSE
14. York & Ripon 189 miles 82 locks 70 hours plus time waiting for tides
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 to Castleford; keep on the main line of the Aire & Calder Navigation towards Knottingley. This section briefly passes through an industrial hinterland, but is full of interest because much water-borne freight comes through - in barges, push-tows and tankers. At Bank Dole you leave the main line and its electric locks, to drop into the Aire as it winds through farmland, stopping occasionally at pretty brick-built villages. And so to Selby, where you can explore the ancient Abbey and market.
Then enter the tidal Ouse, and go up to Naburn, where you leave the tidal section. Go on up the river to moor in the very centre of York. Having seen all you can of the city, go on to Ripon, newly restored and the northernmost point on the waterways.
Navigation notes: Necessitating a passage on the tidal Ouse, this trip is available only to very experienced crews subject to our stringent conditions and consent. Crews should allow a minimum of two weeks for this trip, to cover possible waiting time. Only available May to September. Customers must be prepared to take a different route if in our judgement wet weather makes the Ouse likely to flood. You will require our York Pack for details.
For 2010 new MCA rules may exclude certain hire narrow boats from Category C waters (the Ouse from Selby to Naburn). Details of the test regime are not yet available. Boats with large crews are more likely to be affected.