Staycations in God’s own county
TO CELEBRATE Yorkshire Day on August 1, Drifters has put together its Top 5 Yorkshire Canal Boat Holidays for 2022.
1. Visit Skipton and its medieval castle… on a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters’ base at Barnoldswick, boaters can head east along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Skipton. The journey there and back travels 26 miles, passes through 30 locks (15 each way) and takes about 20 cruising hours.
This breathtaking route winds along the contours of the side of Airedale, with extensive views of sheep country.
Once in Skipton, boaters can moor in the centre of the town, visit shops and restaurants and explore the 900-yearold Skipton Castle, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.
2. Sail to the historic market town Selby… on a week away departing from Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge, narrowboat holidaymakers can cruise to along the Calder & Hebble and the Aire & Calder navigations to Selby. The journey there and back travels 96 miles, passes through 68 locks (34 each way) and takes about 40 hours. The route passes through Wakefield, Stanley Ferry, Castleford and Knottingley. At Selby, boaters can explore the ancient abbey and market, and enjoy a good choice of pubs and restaurants.
3. Toddle along to Todmorden for some stunning Pennine scenery… on a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge, canal boat holidaymakers can travel along the Rochdale Canal to Todmorden. The journey there and back travels 20 miles, passes through 34 locks (17 each way) and takes about 16 hours.
This historic town offers visitors fine Victorian architecture, plenty of pubs and restaurants, and a busy market. Along the way, boaters pass through the village of Mytholmroyd, the birthplace of Ted Hughes, and the old mill town of Hebden Bridge with an amazing variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and a series of scenic waymarked walks.
4. Cruise to Rishton for a trip through industrial history… on a week’s holiday from Drifters’ Barnoldswick base, narrowboat h o l i d aymake r s can travel west along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Rishton and back. The journey there and back travels 53 miles, passes through 14 locks (seven each way) and takes around 20 hours.
The route begins on the summit before plunging into Foulridge Tunnel, then down to Barrowford Locks. After 20 miles on one level, boaters sail above Burnley’s rooftops on its famous embankment, one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. The Weavers Triangle visitor centre at Burnley is a good place to visit and the trip includes spectacular views of the Lancashire Calder Valley and Pendle Hill, famous for its witches.
5. Journey to the Hepwor th Wakefield… on a mid- week break from Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge, canal boat holidaymakers can travel to Wakefield and back to visit the fabulous Hepworth Wakefield Art Gallery. The journey travels 40 miles, passes through 52 locks (26 each way) and takes about 22 cruising hours.
You will find narrowboat moorings right outside the Hepworth Wakefield, offering visitors over 1600 square metres of light-filled gallery spaces to explore.
Drifters boating holidays: call 0344 984 0322 or visit www.drifters.co.uk