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Out & back boating holidays to Stanley Ferry - from Sowerby Bridge

For everyone

Boating holiday to Stanley Ferry near Wakefield on the Aire & Calder Navigation

Yorkshire Canal Map Seven night boating holiday 48 miles 54 locks 30 hours

This trip takes you down the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation past Brighouse, and through wide river sections and narrow cuttings to Wakefield, where there are good moorings right by the Barbara Hepworth museum, and not too far from the bright lights and shopping. Then on to Stanley Ferry to see the famous aqueducts.

Navigation notes

This is one example 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.

This route is largely on river navigations. In normal conditions the rivers are placid but in prolonged wet weather they can flow too fast for safe navigation. In such cases boats wait at safe moorings while flood water recedes - usually quite quickly.

Day 1

The Navigation pub at Sowerby Bridge on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Long Lees near Elland on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Elland 3 miles 5 locks 3 hours

Arrive at our base in one of the 200-year old canal warehouses at Sowerby Bridge. After a thorough briefing, you set off, and travel along the side of the valley to Salterhebble Locks, where we meet you and take you through your first three locks. You then do another two locks on your own, hidden away in the trees. At Elland you have a choice of two canalside pubs, one with food, or lots more in the town up the hill - along with shops, takeaways and a Co-op supermarket. and of course good pubs and restaurants.

Day 2

The River Calder at Brighouse on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Battye Lock, Mirfield on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Shepley Bridge 8 miles 11 locks 5 hours

Next day you head down, past glimpses of lakes, to Brighouse, a busy small town with interesting shops and a Sainsbury's with its own moorings and of course good pubs and restaurants. From Brighouse you go down into the River Calder. Pass under a towering motorway viaduct, a reminder of the world you left behind - and who cares which motorway it is? The river provides a sweeping contrast to the canal cuts with which it alternates, as it winds its way down the wooded valley to Mirfield. The locks grow further apart and the whole landscape is gentler. Spend the night either at the Ship Inn at Shepley Bridge (a Hungry Horse pub) or stop a little sooner and explore Mirfield, which has an interesting lighting shop, a proper ironmongers, supermarkets and places to eat.

Day 3

Horbury Bridge on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Handspike paddle gear on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Broad Cut 7 miles 8 locks 4 hours

A dramatic cutting leads to Double Locks (which are not joined) and Figure of Three (which is two locks) before you end up at Broad Cut, with pleasant moorings outside the Navigation. This pub does food till late, seven days a week.

Day 4

Broad Cut, Wakefield on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Stanley Ferry near Wakefield on the Aire & Calder Navigation

Stanley Ferry 6 miles 3 locks 3 hours

Carry on, and soon you are in Wakefield. You can moor right outside the stunning new Hepworth Wakefield, with sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and changing contemporary works. After your culture injection, head for the amazingly broad Aire & Calder Navigation and arrive at Stanley Ferry. Here you have a very polular pub, and you can go over one aqueduct and back over another when you make your turn.

Day 5

Thornes Flood Lock near Wakefield on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Broad Cut near Wakefield on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Horbury Bridge 8 miles 6 locks 4 hours

As you return, you can take in more of this historically important navigation, significantly older than most of the canal system, and partly designed by John Smeaton, of Eddystone Lighthouse fame. You've time on the way for a visit (or return vist) to those excellent shops in Wakefield. Horbury Bridge has good moorings, two pubs and a restaurant.

Day 6

Double Locks, Dewsbury on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Battye Ford near Mirfield on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Brighouse 10 miles 10 locks 6 hours

A long canal stretch leads you back into the river at the appropriately named Long Cut End and you carry on alternating river and canal (it's easy to see the way). You pass, but may not see, a naturists' meeting place, a monastery and Robin Hood's grave (such a fine person was a Yorkshireman, obviously). So you arrive at Brighouse, with time to sample this charming town's pubs and restaurants.

Day 7

Brighouse on the Calder & Hebble Navigation Park Nook, Elland on the Calder & Hebble Navigation

Salterhebble 4 miles 11 locks 4 hours

Before you leave Brighouse, make sure you've explored all its interesting shops. A really pretty bit of canal, with splendid views of the hills. At the top of the last lock, detour right along the short Halifax Arm, and overnight here (Brewer's Fayre and ordinary pub).

Final morning

Sowerby Bridge 2 miles 0 locks 1 hour

A short sail without locks brings you back to base by 0900.

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.

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Trip Reviews

"Wonderful experience, beautiful scenery - loved the historical aspects of the journey. Boat went well - all OK." - Mr Kuter, Devon

"Scenery: particularly enjoyed Kirklees Cut. Enjoyed seeing herons, kingfishers, bats (with bat detector). Interesting aqueduct at Stanley Ferry, good turning point." - Helen Ketteridge, Worcester

"East as far as Calder Grove and back. We were quite slow and stopped to go running/cycling/visiting towns en route. Could have gone to Wakefield if we had pushed on one short day. Other boaters were really friendly and helpful especially at water points. Thanks to owner of Long Dog!" - The Fox family - Worcester

"Very good. Lovely scenery, friendly people." - Jorgensen - Worcester (Denmark)

"The people were very kind! We saw beautiful landscapes, forests and pretty towns." - Mr Mattis, Huntingdon (Switzerland and Poland)

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