A Moody Monochrome Wander: Sowerby Bridge's Canals and Heritage

Date: November 24, 2019

There’s a certain kind of beauty in a gloomy, late-autumn walk, especially one that weaves through the industrial heritage of a place like Sowerby Bridge. On November 24th, 2019, I set out to trace a route along the town’s intersecting waterways—the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Rochdale Canal—capturing the muted, atmospheric tones of the day.

Starting the Journey: Chain Bridge

My walk began at the Chain Bridge on the Calder & Hebble Navigation. The black-and-white view of the old stone buildings and the quiet, reflective water immediately set the mood . The towpath here, flanked by housing and overgrown banks , felt secluded, a peaceful contrast to the town’s bustling history.

The view towards Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin from Chain Bridge. The junction with the Rochdale Canal visible to the left. 

Chain Bridge

Chain Bridge, The Navigation Inn to the left. The bridge once used to have a chain pulled across to prevent access to the canal wharf on Sundays, hence the name Chain Bridge.

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The Heart of the Waterways: Locks and Tunnels

The route quickly led me to the junction where the Calder & Hebble meets the Rochdale Canal, one of the grand pioneers of the British canal system.

A highlight was the cluster of locks here. The sepia-toned view of Lock 1 , with its mist and the distant, looming sight of the Wainhouse Tower, felt like stepping back a century. A little further on, the view framed by bare branches over Lock 2 gave the industrial structures a sombre, cinematic quality.

I also took a moment to capture the imposing view near the Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance . Framed by the reflection in the dark canal water, the sturdy stone of the buildings and the tower of Christ Church stood as silent witnesses to Sowerby Bridge’s long past.

Kirkham Turn, The start of the Rochdale Canal.

Lock 1 on the Rochdale Canal.

Lock 1

Lock 2 on the Rochdale Canal.

Lock 1 viewed from Lock 2. Wainhouse Tower dominates the distant horizon.

Tuel Lane Tunnel and Christ Church. The canal was blocked here for decades.

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Hidden Paths and Arches

Leaving the main canal junction, I crossed the River Calder and followed the path beneath Lock Hill Bridge. This section was particularly evocative. The cobbled path, walled in by rough stone and corrugated iron , felt like a secret passage. The tunnel-like perspective, captured in warm sepia, highlighted the rugged textures and the long-forgotten shortcuts of the area.

The River Calder from Lock Hill Bridge.

Lock Hill Bridge

After passing through the dimly lit subway beneath Sowerby Bridge Railway Station , I headed towards the local woodland, taking in sections of the River Ryburn and the lower parts of Dixon Scar Woods.

Sowerby Bridge Station Subway. The tunnel now blocked used to run on into the original station building that was demolished c1980.

The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms housed in the former station ticket office. This is all that remains of the magnificent station building demolished c1980.

River Ryburn

River Ryburn towards Station Road Bridge.

River Calder from County Bridge.

Football pitch at Dixon Scar Woods.

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The Final Stretch: Returning to the Canal

The final leg of the walk returned to the Rochdale Canal, starting near the remote and atmospheric Hollins Tunnel. The towpath here was quieter, covered in a blanket of damp leaves, with the dark, watery entrance of the tunnel beckoning .

I then walked along this quieter stretch, passing a moored narrowboat , with the dense woodland banks rising dramatically on the right.

The contrast between the industrial architecture and the natural landscape became more apparent as I reached the massive stone mill buildings that line the waterway . The walk concluded at Bridge 1A (Tower Hill) , another perfect archway framing the final view of the canal before heading back.

Hollins Tunnel.

Co-Op Bridge over the Rochdale Canal.

Bridge 1a Tower Hill.

This walk on a cold, grey day offered a unique perspective on Sowerby Bridge. The monochrome palette of the photographs—whether black-and-white or sepia—strips away the distraction of colour and forces you to appreciate the textures, the history, and the mood of the town’s incredible industrial waterways.

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The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A

On Sunday, April 10, 2022, I took a walk along a fascinating section of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. This stretch, running from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A, is a remarkable example of industrial heritage and engineering. It's an interesting walk, full of history and some unique features that really tell the story of this once-vital waterway.

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The Start of the Journey: Lock 2 and Christ Church

I began my walk at Lock 2. From here, you can look back along the canal, with the old warehouse buildings casting a long shadow on the still water. . This spot gives you a real sense of the canal's scale and its importance to the local industry. Looking the other way, the canal gently curves towards Sowerby Bridge, and in the distance, you can see the distinctive clock tower of Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge. . The church stands as a prominent landmark, watching over the canal.

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Tuel Lane Lock and the Tunnel

The most dramatic part of this walk is undoubtedly the approach to and passage through Tuel Lane Lock and Tuel Lane Tunnel. The lock itself is an impressive sight, a huge, deep chamber that is actually the deepest canal lock in the UK, at 20 feet (6.1 meters). . This immense depth was achieved by combining two old locks into a single one during restoration. The sheer scale of it is astonishing, and you can see the sturdy wooden gates and the intricate brickwork up close. .

The canal then disappears into the darkness of the Tuel Lane Tunnel. . Unlike most canal tunnels, which are long and go through hills, this one is quite short. It was built to bypass a road and a busy junction when the canal was reopened. It's a surreal experience to see the water simply vanish into the hillside, only to re-emerge a short distance away.

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The Final Stretch

As you walk alongside the lock and beyond the tunnel, the path continues towards Bridge 1A. This area is quite tranquil, a peaceful waterside path with the old buildings and greenery of Sowerby Bridge visible on either side. You can still see the last remaining bits of old infrastructure from the canal's working days, and it’s a great way to appreciate the town’s rich past.

This short but sweet section of the Rochdale Canal is a must-see for anyone interested in industrial history or a pleasant canal side walk. The combination of historic buildings, clever engineering, and serene scenery makes for a perfect Sunday stroll.

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The original Wharf Street bridge can just be seen inside the tunnel.

The former Jolly Sailor Pub (closed 1939). The Building was once the caretakers residence
for Lock Hill Mills. The part of the mill that stood alongside was demolished
in the late 1990's, the red brick part of Lock Hill Mills still stands on the southern bank
of the River Calder. The Jolly Sailor is now a set of apartments.

The canal pictured from Wharf Street in the direction of Lock 2. The building to the left
is the Roxy a local nightspot thats started life as the Electric Cinema around the time
of World War 1. The cinema closed in 1963 and became a bingo and cafe, before eventually
becoming a nightclub - bar.

A view of Tuel Lane Lock and Christ Church Tower. I was just trying to get a different angle
of the lock and down in to the tunnel, taken from the LIDL supermarket car park.

Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance in to the lock.

Tuel Lane Lock, which is lock 3/4 on the Rochdale Canal replaced 2 locks on this
section of canal, lock 4 would have been just behind where I am stood, lock 3 was on the bend inside
the tunnel just in front of the church tower. These were infilled along with this section of canal after
closure in 1952. This was a car park with a disused theatre to my right when I was growing up 

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Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel: A Deep Dive into Rochdale Canal's History

Nestled near the starting point of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, lies an impressive feat of engineering: Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel. Opened in May 1996, this lock isn't just a vital part of the canal's navigation; it's also the deepest lock in the entire United Kingdom, boasting an astounding fall of 19 feet 8 inches!

But the story of Tuel Lane goes much deeper than its modern marvel. Originally, the canal flowed beneath a charming canal bridge, still visible just inside the mouth of the present-day Tuel Lane Tunnel. From there, it continued openly to Lock 3, situated alongside Christ Church and the local pub where Tuel Lane Road and the car park entrance now meet. Lock 4 was then located between this original lock and Bridge 1a at Tower Hill.

Sadly, these earlier sections of the canal and its locks were lost sometime in the 1940s or 50s. Tuel Lane was diverted and widened to its current configuration, and the canal and its locks were infilled to create the car park we see today.

Thankfully, the dream of a fully restored Rochdale Canal never truly faded. The formation of the Rochdale Canal Society in 1974 brought the canal's future into sharper focus. A pivotal 1991 report highlighting the benefits of restoration eventually led to a significant grant of £2.5 million from derelict land grants, paving the way for the reopening of Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel.

For those eager to delve further into the history of this remarkable section of the canal, I highly recommend checking out my previous blog post from November 19, 2017. That post features a fascinating collection of pictures of the lock, canal, and tunnel from before their closure and prior to their reopening. These images, though not my own and credited where possible to the copyright holder, offer an incredible glimpse into the canal's past.

The pictures accompanying this post, however, are my own, captured in June 2014 using a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera. They showcase the section of the Rochdale Canal between Bridge 1a Tower Hill and Lock 2, passing by the impressive Tuel Lane Tunnel and Lock. I hope they inspire you to explore this historically rich and visually stunning part of our local waterways!

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Rochdale Canal towards Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel, pictured from
under Bridge 1a Tower Hill.

The Rochdale Canal close to where Lock 4 was
originally sighted.

Tuel Lane Lock

Rochdale Canal away from Tuel Lane Lock towards Bridge 1a
Tower Hill. Lock 4 was sighted somewhere along this stretch.

Tuel Lane Lock, the lock keepers office is sighted to the right
of the picture.

Tuel Lane Tunnel looking down from the lock.

The lock gates give an idea of the depth of the lock.

Tuel Lane Tunnel from the other side, the original bridge that 
carried Wharf Street is just inside the tunnel mouth and the 
same shape and style as it's modern entrance.

Lock 2 towards Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.