Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: East Marton and Return - 28 miles, 20 locks, 12 hours total
Start your journey by heading north-east from our base at Reedley, heading through the villages of Nelson and Barrowford. There are moorings before the locks at Barrowford should you wish to stop off and visit the Pendle Heritage Centre or the village pub. Continue on through 7 locks, making your way to the Foulridge Tunnel. Entrance to the 1640yd long tunnel is controlled by light signals at each end. Once through, you come to the small village of Foulridge; cruise on from here towards the town of Barnoldswick, passing a canalside pub en route at Salterforth. Barnoldswick is a pleasant market town with some interesting independent shops, a couple of cafes, a pub and an Indian takeaway. Cruise on from Barnoldswick through beautiful rural countryside to the three Greenberfield Locks. The canal then winds its way through hilly landscape to the village of East Marton, where you’ll find a couple of canalside eateries. Your turning point is slightly further on, use the winding hole at Nuttleber Dyke to turn around and cruise back to base.
Intermediate route: Blackburn and Return - 47 miles, 10 locks, 17.5 hours total
Starting at the Reedley Marina, head south-west on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, past the Queen Victoria canalside pub towards Burnley. Moor up at Finsley Gate Bridge for a 10 minute walk into town to do some shopping or to visit the Thompson Recreation Centre. Cruising from here you’ll pass a couple of canalside eateries before reaching the Gannow Tunnel (559 yds). The scenery is an interesting mix of picturesque, unspoilt scenery and urban stretches, due to the industrial history of the area. Cruise along the Calder Valley on your way to the village of Hampton where there are moorings close to the village pubs. Continue on through rural hilly countryside through four swing bridges, on the way to the village of Rishton. There's a pub here and some local stores if you need to stop for supplies. You'll soon be on the approach to Blackburn. Make your way through 6 locks and moor up along the towpath for a short walk into town. This interesting Pennine town still has its old cotton mills from the Industrial Revolution. Once you’ve finished exploring, continue to the winding hole at Stanworth Bridge 93 where you can turn your boat and begin your return back to base.
Active route: Skipton and Return - 44 miles, 44 locks, 23 hours total
Head north-west from the marina at Reedley, through the village of Nelson and the locks at Barrowford. Make your way along the Foulridge Tunnel, taking care to avoid the drips from the tunnel roof - entrance to the 1640yd long tunnel is controlled by light signals at each end. Continue on through fine countryside to the market town of Barnoldswick where there is a pub and several eateries. Climb the 3 Greenberfield locks and meander your way through hilly landscape to the villages of East Marton and Gargrave. Gargrave is an attractive village, with pretty stone cottages and a Victorian church - there are several pubs and restaurants to choose from. Continue on across the Holme Bridge Aqueduct, with outstanding views over the River Aire. Cruise through a lock and several swing bridges, enjoying the serene surroundings of the Airdale Valley. Follow the canal into the centre of Skipton, mooring up at the canal basin in the town. Skipton is an interesting place to visit, with some excellent shops and a magnificent Norman castle. Turn at the basin to start your journey back to Reedley.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Bingley and Return - 69 miles, 44 locks, 36 hours total
A chance to see one of the most spectacular features on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal - the Bingley Five-Rise locks. Start your journey by heading north-west along the canal, travelling through the 1640yd Foulridge Tunnel. Continue on through picturesque villages and beautiful countryside, with stunning views of the Airedale Valley and Yorkshire Dales National Park. Cruise on towards the town of Skipton; moorings are available in the canal basin should you wish to visit this interesting market town. After Skipton, the land becomes flatter which means that a nice relaxing, lock-free stretch can be enjoyed. Pass through the village of Kildwick and the towns of Silsden and Keighley where there are pubs and eateries available. You will now be approaching the Bingley Five-Rise - there's a winding hole at Crossflatts where you should turn your boat ready for the journey home. Moor up along the towpath and walk up to see this magnificent waterways landmark before returning to base.
Intermediate route: Wigan and Return - 81 miles, 68 locks, 39 hours total
Start your journey by heading southwest on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towards Burnley. Stop off here for a spot of shopping or for a meal at one of the many pubs. Continue on through the Gannow Tunnel (559yds) and along a rather attractive stretch of canal past the village of Hapton. Views of Pendle Hill can be seen in the distance on clear days. Cruise through the first of four swing bridges as you travel towards the town of Rishton, passing by the Parish Church on the banks of the canal, on the way to Blackburn. An interesting town to visit, Blackburn features a cathedral, museum & art gallery and plenty of pubs to choose from. Continuing from Blackburn, travel through the thickly wooded valley and cruise through the Johnson’s Hill Lock flight of seven. Soon you will be approaching Chorley, a busy market town with plenty of pubs and restaurants. Enjoy a nice lock-free stretch from Chorley, through the small town of Adlington, eventually reaching the outskirts of Wigan. You will now be approaching Wigan Locks - a flight of 21 locks may seem daunting at first, but there are lock keepers there to assist with your journey throughout the day. There are moorings available just past Wigan Junction. Turn at Wigan to start your return journey to Reedley.
Active route: Shipley and Return- 77 miles, 66 locks, 45 hours total
A busy and interesting route travelling through not only the Bingley Five-Rise Locks, but also the Bingley Three-Rise Locks too! Begin by travelling north-west along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and through the 1640yd Foulridge Tunnel. Continue on through beautiful countryside, past picturesque towns and villages, stopping at country pubs along the route. There are a few lock-free stretches to enjoy before arriving at the most impressive feature of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal - the Bingley Five-Rise locks. This lock flight was built in 1774 and carries boats a total of 60 feet - also offering spectacular views of the Aire Valley. Continue to the Bingley Three-Rise, which has a rise and fall of just less than 30ft. Cruise through a nice wooded area towards Dowley Gap and after the two locks travel across the Seven Arches Aqueduct, an impressive stone aqueduct designed by engineer James Brindley. The aqueduct carries the canal 30ft over the River Aire below. Head towards the charming village of Saltaire - named a World Heritage Site due to it being a complete and well-preserved mid 19th Century industrial town. Cruise on towards your final stop at Shipley; there are moorings available at Ashley Lane, a short 5 minute walk to the town centre. Turn at the winding hole just after bridge 208 to start your journey back to base.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Manchester and Return- 123 miles, 72 locks, 52 hours total
An interesting and relaxed fortnightly route with a brilliant mix of urban towns, cities and peaceful countryside. Start the journey by heading south-west towards Burnley, continuing along the Gannow Tunnel (559yds) and through a rather attractive stretch of canal past the village of Hapton and towards the town of Blackburn. An interesting town to visit, Blackburn features a cathedral, museum & art gallery and plenty of pubs to choose from. Continuing from Blackburn, travel through the thickly wooded valley and travel through the 7-lock Johnson’s Hill Flight. Enjoy a lock-free stretch after the flight through the market town of Chorley and the small town of Adlington, until you reach the outskirts of Wigan. You now approach the Wigan Locks, a flight of 21 locks may seem daunting at first, but there are lock keepers to assist with your journey throughout the day. There are moorings available just past Wigan Junction should you wish to visit the town. At the junction, join the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Continue over the Barton Swing Aqueduct to Water’s Meeting Junction, to join the Bridgewater Canal. Head towards central Manchester, spotting Old Trafford as you cruise by. Moor up at Castlefield to explore Manchester’s attractions, including the National Football Museum and Sea Life Manchester, not to mention the numerous pubs, restaurants and shops in the city! Turn at Castlefield to start your return journey back to Reedley.
Intermediate route: Liverpool and Return - 151 miles, 80 locks, 67.5 hours total
Start the journey by heading south-west towards Burnley, continuing along the Gannow Tunnel (559yds) through a very picturesque stretch of canal to the village of Hapton, then towards the town of Blackburn. Continuing from Blackburn, travel through the wooded valley and continue to the 7-lock Johnson’s Hill Flight. Enjoy a lock-free stretch through the market town of Chorley and the small town of Adlington, eventually reaching the outskirts of Wigan. Travel through the Wigan Locks, a flight of 21 locks may seem daunting at first, but there are lock keepers to assist with your journey throughout the day. Moorings are available just past Wigan Junction if you wish to visit the town. At the junction, stay on the main line of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal heading through Henhurst Lock. Cruise through the Douglas Valley to the village of Parbold, where there are plenty of pubs and eateries to choose from. The scenery changes from woodland to open countryside as you make your way past canalside towns and villages until you reach the outskirts of Liverpool at Aintree. Continue through Aintree to Litherland until you reach the moorings here just past Litherland Bridge 2I. From the moorings here you are only a 5 minute walk to Seaforth and Litherland station, where there is a direct line into Liverpool City Centre. Take time to explore this impressive city, home of The Beatles. Take a walk along the docks and visit Liverpool Cathedral - the biggest cathedral in Britain, or spend the day indulging in a bit of retail therapy! Turn at the moorings for your journey back to base.
Active route: Whaley Bridge and Return - 167 miles, 158 locks, 86 hours
A varied route with an interesting mix of peaceful, rural countryside and urban towns and cities. Commence the route by heading south-west towards Burnley, continuing through the Gannow Tunnel (559yds) and the village of Hapton, towards Blackburn. An interesting town to visit, Blackburn features a cathedral, museum & art gallery and plenty of pubs to choose from. Continuing from Blackburn, travel along the thickly wooded valley and through the 7-lock Johnson’s Hill Flight. Enjoy a lock-free stretch through the market town of Chorley and the small town of Adlington, until you reach the outskirts of Wigan. You now approach the Wigan Locks - a flight of 21 locks; there are lock keepers there to assist with your journey throughout the day. There are moorings available just past Wigan Junction should you wish to visit the town. At the junction, join the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Continue over the Barton Swing Aqueduct to Water’s Meeting Junction tand join the Bridgewater Canal. Cruise to Castlefield Junction, where there are moorings if you wish to alight and visit Manchester. At Ducie Street Junction join the industrial Ashton Canal where there are 18 locks to tackle. From Dunkenfield Junction, cruise onto the pretty Peak Forest Canal. This charming canal is one of the most of the most scenic on the whole of the canal network. There are a couple of tunnels to cruise through before arriving at one of the most impressive features of the Peak Forest Canal - Marple Aqueduct. This ancient monument carries the canal 100ft above the River Goyt below. After crossing the aqueduct, continue through the 16 Marple Locks to Marple Junction, from where you continue along the (Upper) Peak Forest Canal. The scenery on this stretch is something to behold, with views of the Goyt Valley and beautiful rural countryside. When you reach Whaley Bridge Branch Junction, continue towards Whaley Bridge where there are several pubs, stores and a fish and chip shop. Use the winding hole here to turn your boat and start the return cruise to Reedley.
