Huddersfield Waterfront, Huddersfield Canals, Travel & Tourism

Huddersfield Waterfront, Huddersfield Canals, Travel & Tourism

ON THE WATERFRONT

Canals played a vital role in the development of this area, carrying coal, wood, finished textiles and many other goods. These are now peaceful cruising waterways.

If boating is not your thing, you can still enjoy the tranquility of the canals, where you can wander along the towpath and discover a fascinating mixture of industrial heritage and nature.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

After a major restoration scene the full length of the historical canal route has been re-opened for navigation since May 2001.

Running for 20 miles from Huddersfield along the Colne Valley and through the Pennine hills to Ashton-under-Lyne, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal forms the shortest Trans-Pennine canal route.

Work on the canal commenced in 1794, but the canal wasn't fully opened until 1811, by which time the cost of its construction was more than double the original estimate. Sadly, the arrival of the railways reduced canal traffic to a trickle, with the canal being finally abandoned in 1944.

A Millennium Project, involving 19 major construction a d engineering schemes, has now completed what was once termed the 'impossible restoration'.

Standedge Tunnel

The canal boasts the Standedge Tunnel, described as one of the wonders of the canal network. This is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in the country, which took 17 years to complete.

The tunnel is 3 1/4 miles (5200m) in length and stands 645ft (196m) above sea level. It's construction was a remarkable achievement at a time when unpredictable explosives and human effort were the only means of boring a tunnel through the Pennistone gristone.

As there is no towpath in the tunnel, boats had to be 'legged' through, while horses were led over the hills so they could tow boats along the rest of the canal.

Standedge Visitor Centre

A new Visitor Centre at Tunnel End, Marsden will explore the history of the canal and odder the chance to take trips into Standedge Tunnel.

The seven miles to from Marsden to Huddersfield take you through a valley of stark scenic beauty and imposing industrial architecture. Short sections of the towpath can be combined with a return via a network of paths or public transport along the valley.

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Completed in 1780, this arm of the canal network was built to link Huddersfield to the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

The canal was originally known as Sir John Ramsden's canal, after the Ramsden Family who paid for its construction to enable Huddersfield to develop to a major textile centre.

Aspley basin in Huddersfield became an area of busy docks and warehouses, reaching its heyday with the opening of the Narrow Canal, which begins here. Today a few of the warehouses remain as offices and flats. Aspley Basin is also home to a marina and a popular canal-side restaurant and pub.

Calder & Hebble Navigation

This broad gauge canal passes close to the towns of Dewsbury and Mirfield. It links the area's canals to other Trans-Pennine waterways and the rest of the Yorkshire canal network.

If you want to explore the area's canals, narrow boats can be hired from Shepley Bridge Marina, Mirfield (01924) 491872.

The Dewsbury arm of the canal extends into the town's Savile Town Basin, where during the summer a trip boat, the 'Calder Lady', is available for private hire from Robinson's Hire Cruisers (01924) 467976 based at Dewsbury.

For more information on enjoying the area's waterways contact British Waterways on: (01977) 554351 or (0161) 8195847.