Our postal address is Shire Cruisers, The Wharf, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 2AG*, England
We're usually open 9.30 to 5.00 Monday to Friday, 11.00 to 3.00 Saturday. We are closed on Sunday.
Our yard at Sowerby Bridge is easy to get to - only ten minutes from the M62. Birmingham two hours; Newcastle three hours; London four hours.
Sowerby Bridge is a small town on the A58 halfway between Manchester and Leeds - about 15 minutes from Junction 22 or 24 on the M62. Our base is just off the main street. Turn off the A58 opposite the Village Restaurant, just at the bottom of the long, steep hill from Halifax at the eastern end of the town centre. Look for brown signs 'Sowerby Bridge Wharf' and a sculpture of a lock keeper. Having turned off the main road, go down a slope and straight on with the canal basin and The Moorings pub on your left. Follow the road round to your left and go through the arch. Our office is in the next stone building: No. 4 Warehouse.
*Satnav systems tend to send you to Old Causey, which is an unnecessary right turn opposite The Moorings. Don't be fooled!
National Express coaches go from London Victoria to Halifax (click 'can't find your destination?' and type Halifax!). Buses from Halifax (10 mins) stop in Wharf Street.
Sowerby Bridge station on the Leeds-Manchester line is under 10 minutes walk away. There are two trains an hour, not well spaced. To walk from the station, use the back (northern) exit. Go down the ramp from either platform, down the steps, cross the road, turn left and almost immediately right onto the path (signed Town Centre) across the river to the main road. Turn right, then follow the towpath.
From London Kings Cross, Grand Central to Halifax, then Northern to Sowerby Bridge (1 stop). Alternatively, take LNER to Leeds, about 2 ¼ hours, then change to Northern for Sowerby Bridge (trains are mostly headed for Manchester Victoria), about 40 minutes. Kings Cross is a short walk from St Pancras (Eurostar) and on the Piccadilly line from Heathrow. Travelling via Manchester is less good because you have to change from Piccadilly to Victoria station by tram - allow half an hour
We will meet anyone coming on a long journey if we know which train.
For all train times, fares and booking see thetrainline.com.
The nearest international airport is Leeds-Bradford, with mostly European services, about 45 minute taxi; or bus shuttle into Leeds then 40 minute train to Sowerby Bridge. There are many more services to Manchester, around 1 1/2 hours by train, changing at Manchester Victoria or Huddersfield - see Northern Railway. Or we can arrange for our local taxi/minibus firm to meet you at Manchester Airport. If you fly to London, then from Heathrow, take Piccadilly Line tube direct to Kings Cross; from Gatwick take fast shuttle train to Victoria then Victoria Line tube to Kings Cross; or from Stansted take Greater Anglia to Peterborough: then LNER to Leeds, and Northern to Sowerby Bridge.
See our recommended places to stay the night before your holiday.
Shire Cruisers
The Wharf
Sowerby Bridge
HX6 2AG
01422 832712