Brighouse Basin: A Canal-Side Escape in West Yorkshire

The Calder and Hebble Navigation is a vital part of West Yorkshire's rich industrial history, but today, it's also a tranquil and picturesque escape. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Brighouse Basin, a peaceful hub of activity where history and modern-day leisure blend seamlessly.

Approaching the basin, the view opens up to a wide expanse of water, dotted with colourful narrowboats moored along the banks. The basin serves as a perfect base for canal boats, providing a sense of community and a home for those who live on the water. It’s a great place to stop and watch the world go by, as a small pleasure boat might putter its way into the open water, or a family of ducks drifts by in search of a snack.

Walking along the towpath towards the main stretch of the canal, you get a real sense of the waterway's character. The path is well-maintained and provides excellent views of the boats and the surrounding architecture. Old stone bridges span the water, their arches framing the canal as it disappears into the distance. The contrast between the industrial heritage buildings, like the old mill and the striking white silo, and the lush greenery of the trees and bushes is a unique sight.

The canal meanders right through the heart of Brighouse, offering a different perspective of the town. You can see people strolling along the opposite bank, enjoying the sunshine and the peaceful atmosphere. The canal here feels like a hidden gem, a green corridor that provides a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

Further down the navigation, the canal continues its journey, passing under more bridges and past more moored boats. The architecture varies from traditional stone buildings to modern flats with balconies overlooking the water. It’s a place that caters to everyone—from the serious boater to the casual walker, or anyone simply looking for a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the view. The Calder and Hebble Navigation at Brighouse is more than just a waterway; it's a vibrant, living piece of history that invites you to slow down and appreciate the beauty of a canal-side life.

I took these pictures in August 2018 with a Nikon d3300, clicking on any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Walking the Ghost Tracks: The Pickle Bridge Line

The Pickle Bridge Railway, a line that once linked Bradford and Huddersfield, now exists mostly as a series of ghosts in the West Yorkshire landscape. The line, which operated from 1881 to 1952, was a casualty of a common problem in the area: subsidence. While it's been closed for over 70 years, a walk along its former route reveals fascinating glimpses of its past life.

From Clifton to Bailiff Bridge

My first walk along the route began at the former site of the Clifton Road Viaduct. This three-arch viaduct, which led directly into Clifton Road Station, is no longer standing. The line then crossed the A644 Wakefield Road and the River Calder before joining the Caldervale Line. Today, the former trackbed is often a narrow, overgrown trail.

Further along the path, you come across the Thornhills Viaduct, a magnificent five-arch structure that still stands today. The sheer scale of the viaduct, seen from Thornhills Beck Lane below, is a powerful reminder of the engineering feat required to build this line. The path then continues, leading to an abandoned railway bridge stranded in the middle of a field between the viaduct and Birkhouse Road. This isolated structure, weathered and partially hidden by thick overgrowth, is a poignant symbol of the line's fate. The final stretch of this particular walk took me toward Bailiff Bridge. Here, the former railway crossing and the Birkhouse Road Bridge are still visible, marking the line's path through the village. These structures, now simply part of the local scenery, are a testament to the fact that even after being abandoned, the railway still leaves its mark on the land.

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The remains of Clifton Road Viaduct, the station occupied a spot along the wall pictured with the dirt track to the left the main access road.

Former track bed pictured between the remains of Clifton Road Viaduct and Thornhills Beck Viaduct.

The top of Thornhills Beck Viaduct, this was the southern side and was gated off as can be seen preventing access any further.

Thornhills Beck Viaduct, opened up I think it would make an interesting footpath - cycleway.

Another of Thornhills Beck Viaduct

These last 2 show an abandoned bridge in the middle of a low cutting in what seemed to have become a farmers field. Looking at the surrounding land and historic maps I can see no reason for it's existence as their were alternative crossings over the railway nearby in both directions.

The second set of pictures were taken on the 25th May 2014, starting at the bridge above they show the remains of the line up to the end of Red Lion (Wyke) Viaduct.

The Pickle Bridge line crossing over Birkhouse Lane, Bailiff Bridge

The line's remains at Bailiff Bridge, the town's former station used to occupy a spot to the right of the picture behind the trees.

All that remains of the bridge that crossed Lower Wyke Lane, Houses now occupy the former trackbed to the left of the picture.

The bridge that crossed over Bradford Road has been removed, leaving only the abutments as a reminder the railway passed here.

The Red Lion or Wyke Viaduct crossing over a small access lane off Bradford Road.

The top of Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct, I don't remember climbing up to the top but I must have as the picture here proves I did. The end of the viaduct was probably just beyond the trees,

Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct. The crossing suffered badly from subsidence resulting in a much reduced speed limit during its years of operation. The situation was so bad that by the 1980's permission was sought to demolish part of the Grade II listed Viaduct.

This partially overgrown bridge stands to the northern end of the demolished part of Wyke - Red Lion Viaduct, I'm not sure if it was separate or part of that structure.

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Anchor Pit Junction: A Ghost of the Railway Age

In the quiet landscape near Brighouse, West Yorkshire, a solitary stone wall stands as a silent sentinel to a bygone era. This is all that remains of the once-bustling Anchor Pit Junction, a place where the industrial heart of the Calder Valley beat strong with the rhythm of steam engines.

For nearly a century, this site was a crucial railway junction where the Pickle Bridge line, heading towards Bradford, diverged from the main Calder Valley line. It was a hub of activity, a complex web of tracks and signals that facilitated the movement of goods and people across the region. But the line's closure in 1952 marked the beginning of its slow fade into history.

While some remnants of the line can still be found to the north of the River Calder, the southern side of the valley offers little more than this one, lonely piece of masonry. This stone abutment , once a sturdy support for a bridge that spanned the valley, is now the only tangible evidence that a railway junction ever existed here. The rest has been reclaimed by nature and time.

These pictures, taken in May 2023, capture the poignant beauty of this forgotten fragment. The stone, weathered by years of wind and rain, holds a story in every crevice. It’s a powerful reminder of how quickly our modern world can erase the physical signs of our past, leaving behind only these quiet, dignified ghosts. It's a place that invites you to pause and imagine the rumble of trains and the hiss of steam, connecting the present with a rich and fascinating history.

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Echoes of Brandt: A Brighouse Snicket

Sometimes, the most compelling scenes are found in the overlooked spaces of everyday life. I've long been inspired by Bill Brandt's iconic photograph, "A Snicket in Halifax," which masterfully captures the essence of a steep, narrow Yorkshire passage. During a walk along the canals from Huddersfield to Brighouse, I found a similar staircase, a hidden gem that felt like a direct echo of Brandt's work.

This set of stone steps, or "snicket," is located near the former Anchor Pit Railway Junction, where Birds Royd Lane meets Woodhouse Lane. It's the kind of place you might walk past without a second glance, but if you pause to look, you find a scene rich with character and history. The steps climb steeply between old stone walls, flanked by a narrow tunnel-like passage that feels both mysterious and inviting.

I captured these two pictures on a sunny day in May 2023, one in colour and one in black and white. The colour version highlights the lush green moss on the stone, the subtle textures of the brickwork, and the hint of the sky above. But it's the monochrome version that truly brings out the spirit of the place. In black and white, the scene becomes a study in light and shadow, form and texture. It emphasizes the history etched into every stone, transforming a simple staircase into a timeless, dramatic composition that feels a lot like the work that inspired it.

This Brighouse snicket is more than just a shortcut; it's a testament to the industrial past and the quiet, enduring beauty that can be found in the less-trodden corners of our towns. It’s a small, steep climb that offers a big reward: a moment of reflection and a connection to a piece of Yorkshire’s soul.

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A Walk Along the Waterways: Exploring the River Calder and Calder & Hebble Navigation

Sometimes, the most rewarding adventures are found right on our doorstep. On a crisp day in late March 2019, with my trusty Nikon D3300 in hand, I set out to explore the waterways that wind their way through Brighouse and its surroundings. The goal was simple: to capture the essence of the River Calder and the Calder & Hebble Navigation as they unfolded before me.

The journey began near the heart of Brighouse, where the River Calder meets the navigation at the Calder & Hebble Junction. The water here seemed to hold a mirror to the world, reflecting the bare branches of the trees and the sturdy, red-brick buildings that line the banks. It’s a place where industrial heritage and natural beauty coexist—a reminder of the area’s rich history.

Moving away from the town, the landscape began to shift. The path became a quiet haven, a tranquil corridor flanked by trees, their reflections dancing on the surface of the water. At a spot near Cromwell Bottom, the setting sun cast a golden glow, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow. The whole scene felt peaceful and timeless, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Further on, the walk brought me to some of the engineering marvels of the navigation. The Calder & Hebble Navigation under the M62 motorway is a study in contrasts. The colossal concrete pillars supporting the roaring traffic above loom large over the calm water below. It’s a powerful juxtaposition of modern infrastructure and the historical, slow-paced world of the canal.

At Brookfoot, the path became even more secluded, with lush greenery and overhanging trees creating a natural archway. I spotted a small waterfall cascading gently, adding to the soothing sounds of the water. This spot, at the Brookfoot Lock, felt particularly serene. The lock itself, with its black and white gates and the stone lock house, felt like a scene from another era, a testament to the hard work and ingenuity that shaped this landscape.

My journey on this day was a reminder of the simple joys of observation. Armed with my camera, I wasn't just walking; I was seeing. I saw the sun glinting off the river in Brighouse, the subtle play of light and shadow, the powerful presence of the M62, and the peaceful stillness of the canal. Each photograph tells a small part of the story of these waterways, and together, they paint a picture of a landscape that is both beautiful and full of history.

It's amazing what you can discover when you take the time to look closely. I hope these images inspire you to take your own walk along a local path and see what stories you can find.

The pictures below are displayed in no particular order from the walk, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The Calder & Hebble Navigation towards Ganny Foot Lock

The Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brookfoot bend.

Brookfoot Lock on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

The M62 Motorway over the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brighouse.

Calder & Hebble at Cromwell Bottom.

The junction of the Calder & Hebble Navigation and River Calder at Brighouse.

The River Calder at Brighouse.

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A Gem in Brighouse: Exploring the Smith Art Gallery and Library

On a crisp December day in 2013, armed with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet, I had the pleasure of capturing the timeless beauty of the Smith Art Gallery and Library in Brighouse. This remarkable institution, steeped in history and culture, serves as a testament to the town's rich heritage and its commitment to public enrichment.

From Private Residence to Public Treasure: The Genesis of a Landmark

The story of the Smith Art Gallery and Library begins in 1841, when the impressive building, then known as "The Rydings," was constructed as the private residence of John Brooke, a prominent local miller. Fast forward to 1897, and this grand edifice underwent a significant transformation. The town of Brighouse acquired the property, embarking on a visionary project to convert it into the Brighouse Library. The surrounding grounds were simultaneously transformed into the town's very first public park, meticulously designed by Charles Kershaw and opened to the public in 1898.

A Royal Opening and a Philanthropic Legacy

The cultural significance of this site was further elevated with the opening of the Smith Art Gallery in May 1907. This addition was made possible through the generous patronage of William Smith, a local mill owner, who not only funded its construction but also contributed significantly to its initial art collection. The gallery's inauguration was a truly momentous occasion, marked by the presence of Princess Louise, who holds the distinction of being the first member of the royal family to visit Brighouse.

A Glimpse Inside: Art Through the Ages

While the Smith Art Gallery originally boasted four galleries, it currently features two. The front gallery offers a captivating exhibition of oil paintings, showcasing the talents of renowned artists. Among them are works by John Atkinson Grimshaw, a celebrated Victorian-era artist from Leeds, known for his atmospheric cityscapes and moonlight scenes. You can also admire pieces by Marcus Stone, an English painter from London and a distinguished member of the Royal Academy, as well as the exquisite landscapes of Thomas Sydney Cooper, an artist hailing from Canterbury.

The rear gallery, in contrast, is a dynamic space that continuously evolves. It hosts a diverse and constantly changing display, featuring everything from the vibrant works of local artists to intriguing touring exhibitions, thought-provoking photography, and captivating sculptures. This ensures that every visit offers a fresh and engaging artistic experience.

The Smith Art Gallery and Library stands not just as a building, but as a vibrant hub of knowledge, art, and community, a true jewel in the heart of Brighouse.

Clicking any of the images should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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