3 Day Routes
Sowerby Bridge
41 Miles & 52 locks
3 Days Cruise.
Head upstream, following the Calder & Hebble navigation to Brighouse. Continue along the canal through 5 locks including Brookfoot lock to Elland where there are visitor moorings. From here follow the canal to Salterhebble Locks, a set of three locks with the bottom lock being an electric guillotine lock. After the middle lock there are full facilities and above the top lock, the canal turns left but to the right is the Halifax branch. Continue following the main canal for approximately ½ an hour to arrive in Sowerby Bridge where there are plenty of visitor moorings and full facilities. A short walk from here is Tuel lane lock which at 6 metre (19ft 6 inch) deep is the deepest lock in UK. This route does not include travel through this lock but it is well worth a look at and you may even see another boat going through. Adjacent to the moorings is Sowerby bridge wharf which has undergone major refurbishment in recent years and is home to Shire Cruisers along with many other businesses including restaurants and coffee shops. A 3 day cruise with lots of locks but ideal for groups who are looking to travel further than a weekend but less than a full week.
Rodley
49 Miles & 46 locks
3 /4 Days Cruise.
Head downstream following the Aire & Calder Navigation and river Aire to Leeds. From Leeds dock continue along the river to Lock 1 of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Leave the river and continue along the canal, passed Granary Wharf to Oddy Locks which is a staircase lock, one of many on this canal. Staircase locks are made up of numerous locks in a row but unlike a normal lock flight there are no pounds in between and instead the top gate on one lock is also the bottom gate for the lock above. From Oddy locks, follow the canal to Kirkstall where just beyond is Kirkstall Lock. This is swiftly followed by Forge Locks and Newlay Locks, two sets of staircase locks which are both operated by Canal & River Trust lock keepers, see CRT website for opening times. From here continue along the canal though 3 swing bridges to arrive in Rodley where there are plenty of visitor moorings. An ideal trip for those wanting to travel though Leeds and learn about staircase locks without completing the weeks cruise to Skipton. Although this route can be completed in three days, mooring in Leeds is limited so it is best completed in four days to allow for overnight mooring in Leeds Dock (Clarence Dock) or at Granary Wharf next to Lock 1 of the Leeds & Liverpool canal.
Stainforth
65 Miles & 24 locks
3 Days Cruise
Head downstream, following the Aire & Calder Navigation and at Sykehouse Junction just beyond Pollington lock, turn right to join the New Junction Canal. Follow the canal to Sykehouse lift brige, the first on many electric lift bridges which require a CRT key to operate. Unlike most canals, this canal is a fairly straight canal so most groups will notice how easy it is to spot the lock/ lift bridges in the distance. Shortly after pass through Sykehouse lock and continue along the canal to Don aqueduct, which unlike most aqueducts it has guillotine flood gates which prevent flood water entering the canal when the river is in flood. Just after is Bramwith junction where the main canal to Doncaster/Sheffield heads straight ahead but this route turns sharp left to join the Stainforth & Keadby Canal. Just beyond is Bramwith lock and Bramwith Swing Bridge where there is moorings and facilities. From here continue though through the swing bridge and along the canal to Stainforth where there are also moorings and a winding hole a little further on. An ideal trip for groups wanting to travel slightly further than a normal weekend with the option of experience electric lift bridges not seen on the canals near Wakefield.