Top 5 Yorkshire canal boat holidays
Yorkshire is home to some of the most picturesque canals in the UK, including the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation. These waterways wind their way through diverse landscapes, from rolling countryside to bustling cities, offering breathtaking views at every turn.
To celebrate the beautiful waterways of Yorkshire, we’ve put together our Top 5 Yorkshire canal boat holidays:
1. Visit Skipton and its medieval castle
On a short break from Silsden, you can cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Skipton. The journey there and back travels 12 miles and takes around seven hours. There are no locks but there are a series of swing bridges to operate along the way. You’ll cruise along the beautiful River Aire Valley, passing through the village of Kildwick with its 17th century coaching inn, The White Lion. Once in Skipton, you can moor in the centre of the town to visit shops and restaurants. And explore the 900-year old Skipton Castle, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.
2. Sail to the historic market town Selby
On a week’s brea from Sowerby Bridge you can cruise to along the Calder & Hebble and the Aire & Calder navigations to Selby. The journey there and back travels 96 miles, passes through 68 locks (34 each way) and takes around 40 hours. The route passes through Wakefield, Stanley Ferry, Castleford and Knottingley. Scenery ranges from leafy cuttings on the Calder & Hebble and farmland along the Aire, to industrial hinterland on the Aire & Calder. At Selby, you can moor up to explore the ancient Abbey and market, and enjoy a choice of pubs and restaurants.
3. Toddle to Todmorden for some stunning Pennine scenery
On a short break from Sowerby Bridge you can travel along the Rochdale Canal to Todmorden. The journey there and back travels 20 miles, passes through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes around 16 hours. This historic town offers visitors fine Victorian architecture, plenty of pubs and restaurants, and a busy market. Along the way, you’ll pass through the village of Mytholmroyd, the birthplace of Ted Hughes. And the old mill town of Hebden Bridge, nestled in a fork in the hills, with an amazing variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. There are also a series of scenic waymarked walks to enjoy.
4. Cruise to Rishton for a trip through industrial history
On a week’s holiday from Barnoldswick, you can travel west along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Rishton and back. The journey there and back travels 53 miles, passes through 14 locks (seven each way) and takes around 20 hours. The route begins on the summit before plunging into Foulridge Tunnel, then down to Barrowford Locks. After 20 miles on one level, you’ll sail above Burnley’s rooftops on its famous embankment, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. The Weavers Triangle visitor centre at Burnley is a good place to visit. Then carry on through largely open scenery and the historic town of Rishton, the first place calico cloth was woven on an industrial scale. The trip includes spectacular views of the Lancashire Calder Valley and Pendle Hill, famous for its witches.
5. Journey to the Hepworth Wakefield
On a mid-week break from Sowerby Bridge, you can travel to Wakefield and back to visit the fabulous Hepworth Wakefield Art Gallery. The journey travels 40 miles, passes through 52 locks (26 each way) and takes around 22 cruising hours. There are narrow boat moorings right outside the Hepworth Wakefield. The Gallery offers over 1,600 square metres of light-filled gallery spaces to explore. As well as works by the British artist and sculptor Barbara Hepworth, there are works on display by Henry Moore, Antony Gormley, David Hockney, Paul Nash, Bridget Riley and Anthony Caro.
To find out more about the canals of North East England, go to https://www.drifters.co.uk/canals-of-north-east-england/
