Hotel Boat Holidays

Are you looking for the nicest places to visit by canal in the Yorkshire Dales? We look at Yorkshire’s canal network and some lovely places to stop off and visit while enjoying a canal cruise.

Yorkshire's Canal Network

Yorkshire is home to vast stretches of coastline, networks of rivers and reservoirs and a historic system of canals. The latter emerged from the county's industrial past as a weaving and textile manufacturing hub. However, where once these canals were used to transport cotton and coal, today they serve a more tranquil purpose.

Tourists can enjoy peaceful strolls along the miles of towpaths that snake through the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales and through countless beautiful towns and villages. However, one of the best ways to see Yorkshire's canal network is by taking to the helm of your very own narrowboat and journeying the canals our ancestors used. 

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is one of England's highest canal routes, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. The canal system was built in 1811 during the early days of the Industrial Revolution. Renowned civil engineer, Thomas Telford, was brought in to oversee the completion of the project.

While its narrowness prevented many boats from using it, it did manage to rival the great Rochdale Canal for a time. Given the system's height and complexity, you can imagine how challenging the feat of completing it must have been.

It's initial purpose was to transport goods through the Pennine mountains to England's original textile industry regions in Lancashire and Manchester. The route was eventually consolidated in 1845 by the Huddersfield and Manchester railway. Today, tourists can enjoy an easy stroll along the route's many towpaths, visiting locations such as:

 Huddersfield

This market town in West Yorkshire offers plenty for visitors to do. From entertainment at the Lawrence Bailey Theatre to shopping at the Piazza Centre, visitors will be spoilt for choice.

Golcar

A beautiful hillside village in the Colne Valley, Golcar was a vital hub in the days of commercial weaving in the area. The Colne Valley Museum is a particular highlight, housed in converted weaver's cottages.

Slaithwaite

The canals running through Slaithwaite have recently been restored, with excavations and new locks installed. Besides that, the village offers numerous public houses for tourists to frequent and the annual Moonraking festival.

Marsden

A running theme throughout Yorkshire, yet another small weaving village that tourists can venture to along the canal routes, with the great Marsden Mill dominating the landscape.

Saddleworth

While most of the quaint cottages found here are made from Yorkshire stone, the parish is officially part of Greater Manchester. Either way, the Rushcart festival and brass band contests on White Friday aren't to be missed. 

Diggle

From Saddleworth, it's only a short journey to Diggle, where you can take in some breathtaking views of the surrounding moorland. 

Uppermill

This village also straddles the Greater Manchester - West Yorkshire border and is ideally located for those who want to foray into the Peak District. 

Greenfield

Greenfield is another location within Greater Manchester with beautiful views. It was also the site where the first industrial weaving machine was invented. 

Mossley

This town is where you'll find the confluence of the borders between Lancashire, Cheshire and The West Riding of Yorkshire. 

Stalybridge

Stalybridge is another site with a rich industrial history between Lancashire and Cheshire. It's also a short journey from here to Manchester and the delights of the city. 

Ashton-under-Lyne

As a historic market town, there's a colourful history around Ashton-under-Lyne. Evidence of settlements in the area dates back to the Neolithic period, with everyone from Saxons to Vikings settling there over the centuries. 

 Manchester

The main urban area and heart of Greater Manchester county, this city has something for everyone. Whether you want high-end shopping, relaxing coffee shops, museums, art galleries or an exciting array of nightlife options, Manchester has it all. You may want to put a couple of days aside to stay in the city and explore everything it has to offer. 

Failsworth

Failsworth is a town in the vicinity of Oldham, which is famous for its historic cottage industry of hat-making.

Rochdale

Rochdale is another location near Manchester, offering visitors plenty of sports and local pubs. 

Littleborough

In the foothills of the South Pennines, you'll find the town of Littleborough, with its Roman history and protected historic architecture. 

Todmorden

This idyllic market town hidden in the Upper Calder Valley is a must-see for visitors to the region. The border between Lancashire and Yorkshire runs through the middle of Todmorden. 

Hebden Bridge

Yet another beautiful market town on the River Calder, Hebden Bridge, has plenty of ruins and historic locations to visit. 

Sowerby Bridge

Fans of BBC dramas will be familiar with the surroundings of Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire. 

Elland

Elland is another location famous for BBC dramas like Happy Valley, with Elland Town Hall being a particular favourite landmark of architecture fans. 

 Brighouse

There are plenty of sights to see in Brighouse, whether you like to visit art galleries, museums or even traditional ale houses like The Old Ship.

Leeds Liverpool Canal

The Leeds - Liverpool canal is one of the longest in England, rising from the Aire Valley and the River Aire through Saltaire Village and Skipton before falling into Lancashire. If you're ready for a longer challenge walking along the canal, the 127 miles of the Leeds - Liverpool is waiting.

But we're sure they'll fly by as you take in the views of the beautiful villages and picturesque scenery en route, particularly between Saltaire and Bingley Five Rise Locks. Here are some of the beautiful locations you'll be travelling through as you venture down the towpaths of the Leeds - Liverpool canal:

 Leeds

Leeds is one of the main cities in West Yorkshire. Like other cities in the north, you can find everything you'll need right here. 

Granary Wharf, Leeds City Centre

The famous starting point for the Leeds - Liverpool canal, Granary Wharf, sits atop the famous brick tunnels known as The Dark Arches by locals. 

Armley

The Leeds Industrial Museum housed within Armley Mill is a short journey from Leeds city. 

Kirkstall

Kirkstall is famous for being home to Kirkstall Abbey, the ruins of a Cistercian monastery destroyed during the Reformation. 

Bramley

The ancient settlement of Bramley lies to the west of Leeds and guides your way toward Bradford and West Yorkshire. 

Apperley Bridge

Apperly Bridge is a known resting spot for canal folk, with plenty of locks, swinging bridges, and marinas in this canal basin.

Shipley

The Salts Mill in Shipley is a sight to behold on your route along the Leeds - Liverpool canal. 

Saltaire 

Another set of mills in Saltaire offers more fantastic architecture to take in as you take a leisurely stroll along the canal towpaths. 

Bingley

This former Saxon settlement is another famous spot along your route, with annual music festivals organised here. 

Keighley

The famous Mechanics Institute in Keighley is a must-see for lovers of industrial architecture and history. 

Silsden

Silsden forms one of your final stops before heading over the border from West Yorkshire into North Yorkshire. 

 Skipton

Skipton, or "The Gateway to the Dales", is a quaint market town surrounded by fantastic scenery and guarded by Skipton Castle. 

Gargrave

Site of an ancient Roman Villa of the second century AD, Gargrave has plenty to offer history lovers. 

Barnoldswick

Finally escaping Yorkshire, Barnoldswick is your first stepping stone into Lancashire, with stunning views of the most picturesque countryside welcoming you. 

Foulridge Tunnel

A famous spot along the Leeds - Liverpool, the mile-long Fouridge Tunnel was an integral part of the route when it was constructed in the 1770s.

Nelson

Nelson is another historic town with plenty of fantastic architecture to view.

Brierfield

The building of the Leeds - Liverpool canal, alongside neighbouring roads and railways, led to the creation of Brierfield in the 19th century.

Burnley

Burnley is home to the second-best football team in East Lancashire and the "Straight Mile", a section of the canal that stretches perfectly straight for, you guessed it, a mile. 

Hapton

Hapton is home to numerous medieval and early modern aristocratic manor houses alongside beautiful stretches of the canal to wander down.

Clayton-le-Moors

In the middle of the Hyndeburn borough of Lancashire, you'll find Clayton-le-Moors, with its wide choice of pubs to frequent.

Church

The exact halfway point on the Leeds - Liverpool canal, Church was once the site of the largest factory in the world belonging to the Peel family. 

Oswaldtwistle

Oswadltwistle was where the Peel family made their home alongside James Hargreaves, inventor of the Spinning Jenny.

 Blackburn

Blackburn is home to the best football team in East Lancashire and was once the weaving capital of the world. Sadly no longer a thriving industrial powerhouse, the town still holds on to some of the glorious Victorian architecture from its illustrious past. 

Wheelton

Wheelton is one of East Lancashire's more historically affluent areas, thanks to its location between the industrial towns surrounding it. 

Chorley

Chorley, along with Burnley, provided much of the coal used to fire the weaving mills of Blackburn.

Adlington

Offering easy access to the West Pennine Moors, Adlington also has a fantastic marina for boating holidays. 

Aspull

Like many other towns around Lancashire, Aspull is mainly famous for its weaving and coal mining past.

Wigan - Wigan Pier

Some may be confused when they hear Wigan has a pier since the town lies miles inland and nowhere near the coast. However, the "pier" was the humourous name locals used to refer to the wharf on the canal where local coal was loaded onto narrowboats and barges.

Appley Bridge

One of the more picturesque sections of the Leeds - Liverpool canal, Appley Bridge is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat.

Parbold

Parbold is one of the first ports of call in West Lancashire on the Leeds - Liverpool. 

Rufford 

Rufford has a great and royal history, with the Jacobean manor of Rufford Hall being built by the local aristocracy in the 1500s.

Burscough

Burscough's history starts with a substantial Roman fort constructed in the first century. 

Scarisbrick

The nearby Martin Mere reserve in Scarisbrick is worth a visit for some wildlife spotting. 

Halsall

St. Cuthbert's Church is a particularly beautiful spot to stroll while you're passing through Halsall. 

Maghull

Maghull is where some of the first sod was dug for the Leeds - Liverpool canal, with plenty of canalside pubs springing up throughout the construction. 

Melling

Melling and Maghull are the first signs that you are nearing the end of the canal route in Merseyside. 

Aintree

Famous for its racecourse, Aintree village lies just outside of the city of Liverpool.

Litherland

As you get closer to the city, you'll find hints of Merseyside's trading past in Litherland.

Bootle

Starting as a boarding location for local merchants, Bootle quickly grew into an industrial hub in its own right.

Vauxhall

Finally in the City of Liverpool, you can see the Mersey flowing out into the Irish sea by this point. 

Stanley Dock

The World Heritage Site of Stanley Dock is formed by the beautifully preserved Victorian warehouses that saw global trade during the Victorian era.

 Liverpool

Reaching the final location on the Leeds - Liverpool canal, it's time to relax and enjoy the bright lights of the city. Of course, there's plenty for Beatles fans to stick their teeth into. Otherwise, try some nightlife and dining around the Baltic Triangle and Mathew Street.