Tunnel to Lock: A Walk along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

 Date of Adventure: July 25, 2020 Camera: Nikon D3300

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is a true gem of the North, a testament to the grit and engineering prowess of the Industrial Revolution, and a stunning place for a walk. This particular summer's day took me along a picturesque stretch from the Standedge Tunnel entrance near Marsden to Lock 42 close to Marsden Railway Station. The weather was classic Yorkshire—a bit cloudy, but the lush greenery made everything pop.

The Standedge Tunnel Experience

Our walk started at the eastern portal of the incredible Standedge Tunnel. At over three miles long, it's the longest canal tunnel in Britain! The sheer scale of the operation is evident at the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre . The imposing stone building, with its distinctive red doors, sits right on the water's edge, offering a fascinating glimpse into the canal's history. Tour boats moored here add to the scene, ready to take visitors a short distance into the tunnel's mouth.

Looking directly down the canal, the tunnel entrance is a dark, mysterious arch carved into the hillside . Flanking the canal are traditional stone buildings, including the waterside café —a perfect spot for a pre-walk brew and a moment to reflect on the incredible journey narrowboats make through the Pennines.

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Following the Towpath South

From the tunnel, we set off along the towpath. The canal here is a ribbon of deep, dark water, beautifully framed by dense trees, ferns, and the steep slopes of the Pennine hills. The path itself is a mix of gravel and mud, especially after a typical summer shower, adding to the rustic, immersive feel .

The walk is incredibly scenic, with stone bridges like Bridge 62 crossing the water . These historic structures, along with the surrounding well-kept cottages, are a reminder that the canal runs right through the heart of the community. Along this section near Marsden, you see the juxtaposition of nature and industry, with a brightly painted narrowboat moored quietly against a background of green ferns .

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The Descent through Marsden Locks

As we continued, the canal started its descent through the flight of locks leading toward the centre of Marsden. The section features several locks, including Lock 43 and Lock 42 . These are classic examples of narrow canal architecture, with their heavy, black-painted gates, sluice mechanisms, and stone-lined chambers.

It's always a pleasure to stop and watch the lock mechanisms in action, though today it was more about appreciating the structures themselves. Lock 42, our final destination for this section, stands close to modern road and rail bridges, highlighting how this historic waterway coexists with modern infrastructure.

This particular stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal offers a beautiful blend of engineering history, peaceful nature, and local charm. It's a fantastic route for an afternoon's walk, whether you're a canal enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful escape into the Yorkshire countryside. Highly recommended!

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Walking the Waters of Industry: A Scenic Stroll on the Rochdale Canal near Littleborough

The Rochdale Canal is more than just a waterway; it’s a living museum that threads through the history and landscape of the North West. The walk along the stretch between Bridge 49 and Lock 47 near Littleborough offered a beautiful blend of industrial heritage, tranquil nature, and the undeniable charm of a canal in its prime.

This particular section, where Greater Manchester meets West Yorkshire, captures the canal at its most picturesque. It’s a route that invites reflection on the engineering ambition of the past and the serene beauty of the present.

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The Path Less Travelled: Greenery and Grandeur

The towpath itself, a wide and well-maintained track of gravel, is an absolute delight for walkers, cyclists, and runners. It’s a corridor of green, often bordered by lush ferns and a thick canopy of trees that dapples the water with shifting patterns of light and shadow.

In several spots, the canal feels completely remote, surrounded only by tall grasses and dense foliage . The only sound is the gentle ripple of the water and the occasional bird call. The contrast between this peaceful, overgrown environment and the canal’s original purpose—a bustling highway for the Industrial Revolution—is striking. You might even spot some local wildlife, like a Canada goose serenely gliding across the dark water, reminding you that nature has well and truly reclaimed this corridor.

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Engineering Echoes: Bridges and Locks

The journey between Bridge 49 and Lock 47 is punctuated by powerful examples of Victorian canal architecture.

Bridge 49: The Archway of Light

Passing under Bridge 49 offers one of the most atmospheric views of the walk. The classic, low-slung stone arch frames the water perfectly, creating a dark, cool passage before you emerge into the bright, open canal view on the other side. The stonework, weathered and marked by moss, speaks to centuries of resilience.

Lock 47: The Heart of the Waterway

Further on, the presence of Lock 47 announces the shift in elevation that makes this canal such an engineering feat. The Rochdale Canal is known as the highest canal in the country, and its 92 locks are the mechanism that allows it to cross the Pennines.

Approaching the lock, you’re often greeted by the charming sight of traditional narrowboats moored nearby, their bright colours providing a splash of contrast against the green banks . The lock chamber itself is a fascinating, moss-covered chamber of stone and wood, showcasing the immense wooden gates that hold back the water.

In the background, solid, historic stone buildings stand watch, often converted from their original industrial uses, giving a glimpse into the thriving communities that grew up around these vital transport links.

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A Moment of History in Littleborough

This stretch, near the Greater Manchester town of Littleborough, is particularly significant as it sits on the Pennine summit section of the canal.

Commissioned in 1794, the Rochdale Canal was the first of the three trans-Pennine canals to be completed, acting as a crucial link between the manufacturing heartlands of Manchester and the port of Sowerby Bridge (where it connected to the Calder and Hebble Navigation). Its success was pivotal, allowing raw materials like cotton and wool to be transported efficiently.

Today, after a long period of decline and an incredible restoration effort in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the canal is fully navigable again, allowing leisure boats to make the famous journey over the backbone of England.

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Ready for Your Own Walk?

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape that combines easy walking with stunning historic scenery, the Rochdale Canal near Littleborough is highly recommended. The accessible towpaths make it perfect for a leisurely afternoon ramble, offering endless photographic opportunities of its rugged stone structures and beautiful waterscapes. Pack your camera and your walking shoes, and step back into a forgotten age of industrial majesty.

I took this set of pictures on the 26th May 2014 with a Polaroid is2132, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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The Rochdale Canal from Mytholmroyd to Moderna

There's a special kind of magic to be found along the old towpaths of England's canals. On a quiet July day, a walk along a short stretch of the Rochdale Canal in West Yorkshire offers a journey back in time, connecting the bustling village of Mytholmroyd to the tranquil stretch toward Moderna.

Starting near Bridge 10 in Mytholmroyd, you immediately feel the canal's rich history. The stone arches, weathered by centuries of rain and traffic, frame the waterway perfectly. Here, you're surrounded by a mix of old stone buildings and lush greenery, a testament to how nature and industry have coexisted for generations. The cool, damp air under the bridge is a sensory experience, a brief and refreshing escape from the open sky.

As you emerge from the tunnel of the bridge, the path opens up. The gentle ripples on the water reflect the cloudy sky and the towering green hills that hug the valley. The path itself is a mix of packed earth and gravel, worn smooth by the countless feet of boatmen, walkers, and cyclists over the years. You'll pass industrial buildings that stand as silent reminders of the canal's working past, their reflections shimmering on the water’s surface. Yet, the scene feels far from industrial. The constant, soft sound of the water, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional bird call create a soothing soundtrack for your walk.

The route from Mytholmroyd is a testament to the canal's blend of rural and urban landscapes. One moment you're passing modern buildings, and the next you're enveloped in a tunnel of trees, where the light dapples through the leaves onto the path. This is especially true as you approach Moderna Bridge 9. The path narrows, and the greenery becomes more dense, almost reclaiming the land. This part of the canal is particularly peaceful, with the water often still enough to provide a perfect mirror image of the trees and sky. It's a place to pause, to breathe in the quiet, and to appreciate the simplicity of a world moving at a slower pace.

Whether you're looking for a peaceful stroll, a bit of local history, or just a beautiful backdrop for a morning walk, the section of the Rochdale Canal between Mytholmroyd and Moderna is a perfect choice. It’s more than just a path; it’s a living piece of history that invites you to be a part of its story.

I took these pictures with a Nikon d3300 on the 21st July 2018, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Autumn along the Calder and Hebble Navigation

 Inspired by pictures taken in October 2017, this blog post captures the essence of an autumn stroll along the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal, exploring the stretch from Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin to Copley. As the late October sun casts long shadows and a crispness fills the air, the canal reveals its layered history and serene beauty.

Our journey begins at the Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin, a vibrant hub where the Calder and Hebble Navigation meets the Rochdale Canal. This basin is a testament to the area's rich heritage, with its historical buildings and a long tradition of boat building and repair. A short walk from the basin lies the formidable Tuel Lane Lock, one of the deepest locks in Britain. While it's on the Rochdale Canal, its presence here highlights the engineering marvels that connected these two vital waterways.

As we leave the bustle of the basin behind, the towpath towards Copley becomes a tranquil tunnel of autumnal colours. The trees that line the canal banks are a spectacle of gold, red, and orange, their leaves fluttering down to carpet the path and the water’s surface. This is a stretch of the canal that feels particularly remote and peaceful, a stark contrast to its bustling past.

This man-made section of the canal, part of a longer cut from Brighouse to Sowerby Bridge, was an artery of the Industrial Revolution. Its construction, starting in the mid-18th century and completed to Sowerby Bridge in 1770, was a significant undertaking, led by engineers John Smeaton and James Brindley. The canal was the M62 of its day, a crucial link that allowed for the transport of raw materials and finished goods, particularly for the textile industry that once boomed here.

As the towpath winds its way towards Copley, you'll pass the remains of old mills, silent sentinels to a bygone era. The canal, now primarily used for leisure, is a peaceful route for walkers, boaters, and cyclists, a place where you can feel the pulse of history beneath your feet while soaking in the beauty of the Yorkshire landscape in all its autumnal glory.

I took these pictures in October 2017 with a Nikon d3300, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green photography store on Zazzle.

The entrance to the canal basin.

Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin, Wainhouse tower visible in the distance.

Shire cruisers boats moored up waiting for their next passengers.

Kirkham Turn, the junction of the Calder and Hebble Navigation with the Rochdale Canal.

Chain Bridge.

Chain Bridge and the Navigation Inn. The bridge is so called because in days gone by they used to put a chain across to prevent boats accessing the wharf on Sunday's.

Walker Lane Bridge.

Mearclough Bridge.

The previous 3 pictures were all surrounded by a large mill until it's destruction by fire in the late 1970's - early 80's.

When the picture was taken the houses to the right were in the process of being built on the former Sterne Mills site, these are now complete.

Sterne Bridge.

The previous 2 pictures show Copley Footbridge.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.