More locks to Uppermill on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Sunday, 13 June 2010 21:00

But only four more to go, for the moment!

The pound before Lock 18W, Keith Jackson Lock, was another attractive but shallow one!

Keith Jackson Lock ahead

At Royal George Lock (19W), the mill has been tastefully converted to dwellings. Here we chatted to a local lady who loves the canal and lamented the lack of dredging. We encouraged her to continue to make the appropriate noises to BW and not give up, as this lovely canal must be kept open.

Royal George Mill

Passing some houses and lovely gardens, I spotted this - I think the sentry and Father Christmas give a rather mixed message!

Garden guardian

Across the River Tame, which was running by on the towpath side, we could see Saddleworth Moor. We were going to get even closer soon.

Saddleworth Moor

I am not sure what the owners of this dovecote were hoping for, but the Canada Geese had taken over the communal gardens beyond and probably frightened away any tenants!

Kingfishercote

Frenches Marina sits under the shadow of the "Pots and Pans" monument. This is a 1923 war memorial constructed so that it can be seen from the seven villages that comprise the Saddleworth area. It is 1200 feet above sea level.

Frenches Marina - almost empty

Hall Lock (20W) is entered through a tunnel-like footbridge, Halls Bridge (79), and leads to a green and pleasant pound with the river running below and the Trans Pennine Railway on the off-side.

Hall Lock entrance

Wade Lock (21W) is at Uppermill. High Street Bridge hides a culvert under the widened Oldham Road/High Street before the restored, rather splendid, stone bridge.

Approaching High Street Bridge (78)

High Street Bridge at Uppermill

Wade lock has an unusual bottom gate - there is no balance beam on one side, so the gate is opened using this!

Bottom gate opening system

Uppermill is a popular tourist destination and a good centre for walking over the Moors. The Saddleworth Museum is sited next to the canal and is well worth the £2 admission charge.

We moored before it, to spend the weekend, with two other narrowboats - exploring Uppermill and taking the opportunity to visit Craig in Lancaster, via Manchester Picadilly, thanks to an interesting hour long bus ride through Oldham, with a glimpse of the Rochdale Canal!

Moored at Uppermill

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Grove Road Bridge to Uppermill

5 hours 19 minutes, 4.24 miles, 13 locks

(the time reflects the time taken due to shallowness and resultant lack of speed!)