Narrowboat Hire on the

Leeds Liverpool Canal

        One Way Cruise Gallery (courtesy of Dr P Blosse, July 2009)

Barnoldswick- Hebden Bridge

The weekly one way cruise takes you around a wonderful cruise route in the heart of Yorkshire from Barnoldswick to Hebden Bridge (or vice-versa). The route requires long days and is recommended for those who have previous boating experience. If you are new, we do provide comprehensive training so don’t be deterred.

The route takes in the market town of Skipton, the Bingley 5 rise (one of the wonders of the waterways), the historic Salts Mill and the vibrant city of Leeds

Leaving Leeds you join the commercial Aire and Calder. The Barges carry sand and oil from the Humber Ports to the industrial heartland of West Yorkshire. After passing the historic aquaduct at Stanley Ferry you join the lovely Calder and Hebble canal and start your ascent back into the Pennine hills. This is a is a lovely mix of river and navigable cuts finishing with passage through one of the deepest locks in the UK and into the delightful town of Hebden Bridge.

We were surprised and delighted by the variety of scenery and features on the waterways to Hebden Bridge and back. 

The enormous evening meals in the pubs at very good prices                                                  The swing bridges both manual and mechanised                   

  They also kept us active on the long but delightful level section of the L&L canal                  The special nature of Bingley 5 Rise and the other staircase locks

The lack of a hire boat name on Grace seemed to give us a better reception from private boats - we didn’t reveal the truth in many cases, unless asked!

                                                                                       New developments around Leeds and Clarence Dock

                           Entering the enormous locks on the Aire and Calder Navigation  The amazement of seeing - at short notice - a 300 ton sand barge   

                                                                                 Tuel tunnel and lock – a very special experience

 The operation of the guillotine lock at Salterhebble                                                      No problem finding quieter overnight moorings when required

The section from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge on the Rochdale Canal was delightful                               Journey's End - Hebden Bridge

We managed it reasonably comfortably by

1. walking ahead to prepare locks where practicable – easy  with a crew of four but more difficult with only two.

2. starting early (around 8am) on a few days instead of 9am

3. stopping at around 6 - 6.30pm some evenings (we normally stopped at around 5pm for a sundowner and meal!).

4. We also kept lunch stops typically to 45 – 60 minutes.

Our extended overnight stops were afternoon and evening in Hebden Bridge, Clarence Dock and Skipton.