Transport Heritage

Three of Britain’s most scenic and historic canals cross the Pennines to link Lancashire and Yorkshire: the Leeds and Liverpool, the Rochdale and the Huddersfield Narrow.

Rich in nature and heritage, the canal towpaths offer special outdoor enjoyment.

Places to explore include:

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal: Five Rise Locks, Bingley; Skipton Canal Basin; Burnley Weaver’s Triangle and Straight Mile. Summer boat trips: Shipley and Bingley, Bradford; Foulridge, Pendle; Barden Mill to Burnley.

The Rochdale Canal: Hollingworth Lake feeder reservoir and country park; Hebden Bridge Canal and Information Centre and the Alternative Technology Centre; Sowerby Bridge, new Tuel Lock deepest in Britain. Summer boat trips: Hebden Bridge. ‘Lady Alice’cruises Hollingworth Lake near Littleborough.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Diggle Flight and Saddleworth Viaduct at Uppermill; Standedge Tunnel linking Marsden and Uppermill, longest, deepest and highest in Britain plus Standedge Visitor Centre. Summer boat trips: Marsden and Uppermill.

Some of the worlds’ most historic railways cut through these hills including the Caldervale Line, designed by Stephenson and still using the mighty Summit Tunnel at Todmorden, the world’s longest when built.