A remote part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Sunday, 02 August 2009 09:43

Remote but lots of boats!

We are now into "hire boat territory". This morning at least three Silsden Boats passed us before 9am! Once we were on the move we saw more! I think the nearer we get to Skipton the busier the canal is going to get. Unfortunately, for those who chose a UK holiday because the Met Office men forecast a hot summer, they have now revised their forecast! It is going to be a wet August - poor hirers.

We hardy Continuous Cruisers don't mind the rain - most times! But I do so want it to be better weather for the next section of the L and L, as it is so pretty and we have been looking forward to it so much. We shall see.

From the canal across the fields

Salterforth is a village alongside the canal - it is in what Nicholson calls an "upland setting". Here, by Salterforth Bridge (152) there are boaters services and another pub that is worth investigating! The bridge carries the old turnpike road.

The Anchor Inn, Salterforth

The Anchor Inn was a packhorse inn, known originally as "The Travellers' Rest", for the traders travelling to and from Cheshire. It is believed to date from 1665, around the time of The Civil War. The present pub was built over it when the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was built around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Pub sign

The cellars of the present pub are now what was The Travellers Rest. Part of them are flooded (due to the L and L) and there is an impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites. It is haunted by Joseph Widdup, who hanged himself. Apparently he is not a ghost to be afraid of, but a playful one!

We did not stop this time, but again, we did in 2001 and were given a guided tour by the manager, who regaled us with all the stories. It is well worth a visit for the conviviality and the history!

Moorings at The Anchor Inn

There are limited moorings, right on a bend and these are followed by a stretch of permanent moorings - many empty as at the top of Barrowford locks.

A railway used to cross the canal just before Cockshott Bridge (152) and the remains can still be seen after the moorings of Lower Park Marina, near Barnoldswick. The moorings are pontoons situated in a cut out on the offside and so have direct access to the canal, rather than a small fiddly entrance that many modern marinas boast. The moorings here have only just been completed.

Lower Park Marina

Just past Cockshott Bridge are the chandlery, shop, diesel etc. They also have facilities for repairs and a paint dock. It is a busy section of the canal and lots of boats coming and going.

Marina Buildings

As we passed the moorings we spotted a familiar boat from our days on the Kennet and Avon Canal. We wonder if it is still owned by John and Ann - John worked for Bath Narrowboats and did a lot of work fitting out Epiphany.

The worker on Epiphany's woodwork

The Team that made our dream a reality

Nb Skylarking

It began to rain really heavily as we moored and it looks as if it is set in for the afternoon yet again

Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Hatters Bridge (150) to Cockshott Bridge (152), Barnoldswick - 1 hour 10 minutes, 1.54 miles, 0 locks