Key items
You will need ALL of these.
Holiday Guide
Our complete guide to what to bring, where and when to come, and all you need to know. You can print this out - it will re-format to save paper.
Canal & River Trust The Boater's Handbook
Download The Boater's Handbook.
Watch The Boater's DVD
Watch The Boater's DVD in Dutch, German or Swedish.
Handover Certificate
We'll sign off one of these with you when we've completed your handover. Sample for reference.
Route Companions
These are not conventional cruising guides, but contain detailed information about practicalities and boating safety relevant to each route.
One Way Trips for experienced boaters
One Way Trips via L&L
Click Between Sowerby Bridge and Barnoldswick via the Leeds & Liverpool.
For Dorset and Delivery Trips
Other useful information
Opening Times
Locks and swing bridges are available all daylight hours unless they are on this list. Temporary restrictions for water control are included where known. There's an up-to-date copy in your Boat Manual. See also Stoppages section below.
Navigation information
Stoppages and Restrictions
Sign up here (you need to scroll down) to receive email alerts from CRT on your phone, keeping you up to the minute on any emergency restrictions and closures.
Strong Stream alerts
Click to see continuously-updated navigation conditions for the rivers in our area. Use this when travelling on the Calder & Hebble or Aire & Calder Navigations.
Maps, Guides and Apps
There is a selection of guides on your boat. If you want to plan ahead, our online shop lists all the maps and guides you might find helpful, with pictures of each. There's also a new app which locates you on your phone or tablet as you move. Or you can order cruising guides by phone, or download and print a form.
Your boat
Your boat is Norfolk. Click for pictures. It has one fixed double bed or two fixed singles in the back cabin, which we make up with duvet set(s). The saloon can be converted to a double or two singles, for which we supply duvet sets as required. There is a colour TV/DVD and a radio CD player. There is a 230v supply with microwave. You can bring your own appliances, max load 1kw, with ordinary 13 amp plug.
Your holiday is a One Way Trip between Sowerby Bridge and Barnoldsick via the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Layout 1 One double plus saloon convertible to one double or two singles
Layout 2 Two singles plus saloon convertible to one double or two singles
Length: 48ft.
Berths:
one fixed double or two fixed singles, plus saloon convertible to double or two singles.
Inventory: click. to see list.
Towels: are not normally supplied. If you have booked from overseas, we will supply towels free of charge (one bath and one hand towel per person). UK customers are welcome to order towels at £5 per set. Towels must be ordered in advance, using the Yellow Form.
Transfer Please see details in your Route Companion. Essential points:
- We won't know your direction of travel till the week before your holiday, so you must plan for both possibilities.
- We need your entire crew at the start point for your boat, ready to go at 1300, and we need the boat vacated for 0930 at your finish point.
- If you are parking at your start point, you just need to turn up at 1300. You can make the transfer back to your car(s) on your last morning, or the previous evening, as long as you vacate the boat by 0930.
- If you are parking at your finish point, you need to turn up there early enough to complete the transfer so that you are all at the boat ready to go at 1300.
- We can arrange transfer by taxi/minibus (you pay the driver cash on the day), or you can make your own arrangements.
Useful information
Here's some other stuff you might like.
Routes
Our website route suggestions
Check out our one way routes using the information you may have seen before you booked - with timed examples.
Pubs and restaurants
Our list of places to eat and drink, by or near the canal.
We try to keep our pub list up to date, with the help of your reports. Bookmark it on your phone, and you'll be able to get directions from your mooring, and ring to check when they are serving food.
How to find us
Take the stress out of travel
Google maps with directions from where you are to Sowerby Bridge and Barnoldswick. Also directions by train and air. The postcodes for your satnav are: Sowerby Bridge HX6 2AG and Barnoldswick BB18 5TB.
Information from others
Canal & River Trust provide lots of useful information.
Email alerts
Stoppages and Strong Stream
Sign up here to receive email alerts from CRT on your phone, keeping you up to the minute on any emergency or Strong Stream closures.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Leeds & Liverpool locks guide
Download this useful guide to working the L&L locks.
Calder & Hebble Navigation
Calder & Hebble Navigation survey
CNS says: 'The Calder Navigation Society has introduced a survey page to its website and all users of the Calder & Hebble Navigation, particularly boaters, are invited to contribute to the survey irrespective of whether they are members of the society or not. The survey is particular to the Calder & Hebble Navigation.
In doing so CNS can correlate the responses and then advise / pressurise C&RT to take remedial action where considered necessary and appropriate.'
Aire & Calder Navigation
Commercial Waterways
The Commercial Boat Operators Association has produced this Skipper's Guide to the Yorkshire and Trent Commercial Navigations. It contains useful maps and wise advice on dealing with commercial boats (the ones you really can call 'barges'). Use the bits about the Aire & Calder - ignore the sections on the Trent, which is tidal and out of bounds.
CRT navigation guides
For individual waterways
CRT publish quite detailed guides. You can try here , but it's hard to find what you're looking for. This information is being revised.
Calderdale Events and Festivals
For the Calder Valley, Todmorden to Brighouse
A day-by-day guide to a huge variety of events and festivals across Calderdale, including Sowerby Bridge's very own Rushbearing.
-