Waterways Guides - HNC - Huddersfield Area

Page updated 11 February 2003

Map of Canal in Huddersfield area

General Description

Huddersfield
The approach to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is from the Broad Canal, The highlight of which is just 400 metres north of Aspley Basin This is the much photographed Locomotive Bridge, a lift bridge operated by a series of wheels and chains.

Between the Locomotive Bridge and Aspley Basin, there is a Sainsbury's supermarket on the right, with visitor moorings. In the basin itself the Aspley pub is the dominant building.

Aspley Basin from the A629 Wakefield Road

The building work going on, in the foreground, is now complete. To the left, the footbridge spans the effective end of the Huddersfield Broad and provides access to The Aspley's overflow car park and to Sainsbury's supermarket.

The route to the Huddersfield Narrow starts just to the right of the picture. To the right of that is the yard and shop of Aspley Wharf Marina Ltd. The Marina seems to cater mainly for cruisers, water skiers, jet skiers and so on, they do however stock gas. Their phone number is 01484 514123

The winding hole shown immediately east of Lock 1E is, historically, the end of the Broad Canal, but since the road bridge adjacent to Aspley Basin was reconstructed with a narrow hole, it is not worth being too pedantic about it!

There are modern University buildings along the right between Aspley Basin and Commercial Street. Moorings are available above and below Lock 1E. The mill buildings lining the canal between Lock 1E and Commercial Street bridge are part of the University of Huddersfield.

University Buildings on the approach to Lock 1E

The towpath route leaves the canal via a flight of iron steps from the bridge before Bates Tunnel, now high above the canal channel. This channel continues to the chamber of the relocated Lock 3E after which the canal opens out again. Towpath walkers have to make the detour to as there is no towpath within the new tunnels. Martin Clark's excellent site has further information.

For boaters, it has been suggested that it is worth checking there is water in the pound above Lock 2E.

After the deep channel under the Queen Street South bridge you pass below the two buildings of Bates and Co the canal and into the open section between Lock 2E and Chapel Hill. This area has no pedestrian access from outside.

Before Sellers Tunnel you pass the narrow bridge under Chapel Hill and through part of the original Lock 3E . This new tunnel is around 400 metres long, with bends preventing a view of oncoming boats. At the re-located Lock 3E, the towpath route re-joins the canal, arriving down a cobbled track from Manchester Road and crossing the lock tail bridge.

Lock 4E is alongside Manchester Road where buses can be caught to Slaithwaite, Marsden and Uppermill, making this a convenient place to plan a return to Huddersfield. Meanwhile, the canal emerges from the new channel constructed at the same time as the store on the left.

Lock 5E is built over Paddock Aqueduct which carries the canal over the River Colne.

Navigation Notes

Note all the remarks on the Navigation Notes page before embarking on a passage of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
If planning to make a complete passage of the canal, you may also wish to read the Trip Reports page, which indicate some of the difficulties faced by early users of the restored canal.

Pubs and Restaurants

Huddersfield:
Dot Commer Bar (Landlords: Neal Jeffrey and Rosie Habron, 161 Manchester Road, Huddersfield, HD1 3LE. Tel: 01484 429779.)
Internet access is available, hence the name! They also have live music a couple of times a week, usually local rock bands. (Details of beers served still required! - Ed)

The Aspley (Contact details required)
The Aspley is a Brewer's Fayre pub/restaurant and is consistent with the chain's style.

The Rat and Ratchet (40 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3EB. Tel: 01484 516734 Fax: (01484) 300196 Web: http://www.ratandratchet.co.uk)
Not far from Aspley Basin (just off the Ring Road on the A616). It has its own micro-brewery and has been ten years in the Good Beer Guide. "Much better than its name would lead you to believe!"

Other Comments

Safe Moorings: Advice from both BW and local residents is that it is unwise to moor overnight between the top of Lock 3E (where there is a single safe mooring point) and Lock 11E. There has also been a case reported of a boater being pelted with clods of earth at school-leaving time at Lock 15E and menaced at Lock 13E, so maybe the range should be extended.
The Huddersfield Broad Canal: The first three quarters of a mile of the canal northwards from Aspley Basin is through unattractive industrial scenery. Approaching Red Doles Lock (Lock 9) there is a good view back over Huddersfield with Castle Hill prominent to the south. After the lock the scenery becomes a more rural with a partly wooded hill to the left and playing fields to the right. From Leeds Road Bridge, crossing a short distance after Lock 5, it is a short walk to Deighton railway station. The remainder of the canal to Lock 1 at Cooper Bridge is reasonably pleasant. Although there are factories close to the canal the canal is overlooked by a steep-sided green hill on the east side.