Narrowboat Lizzie-Jean decorated for a birthday cruise, Skipton Canal Basin

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Yorkshire

 

With its length of 127 miles, the Leeds & Liverpool is Britain’s longest canal.  It starts and ends in huge urban conurbations, but mostly passes through beautiful rural scenery and small villages, as well as historic market towns like Skipton.  The stretch of canal with no locks from Bingley to Skipton was the first part to be completed - by 1773. 

 

Thousands of visitors come to this area of North Yorkshire each year, and many are keen to experience something of the 238 year old engineering marvel that is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Do come aboard Lizzie-Jean for an unforgettable cruise on this wonderful waterway.

 

Further information on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal can be found on the British Waterways' and related websites 

Click here for our Links page

 

Photo:  Narrowboat Lizzie-Jean decorated and awaiting guests in Skipton Canal Basin before a birthday cruise.

   Cruising from Skipton 

Each cruise begins from Skipton Canal Basin (or outside one of the local canalside hotels).  Skipper David FitchDavid Fitch is a friendly, experienced skipper and volunteer Lock Ranger for British Waterways.  He will meet you and your party on the towpath before escorting you on board Lizzie-Jean where you will be welcomed with a choice of hot or cold drinks with croissants and jam, or home-made biscuits.  David will brief you on the details of the journey you have chosen, including the essential boating tasks that at least one adult member of your party will be required to help with.  No special skills are necessary, but this stretch of the canal features a number of Swing Bridges which need to be opened and closed manually (see photo on right).  Additionally, if you have chosen to cruise to Gargrave, help is needed to operate Holme Bridge Lock – again after receiving full instructions from your skipper on the lockside.

 

A variety of seating is available on Lizzie-Jean, both inside the cosy centrally-heated cabin, and on either side of the front "well-deck", where passengers often choose to sit during the cruise, enjoying the view, and maybe feeding the ducks and swans (so do bring some bread along with you).  If you keep a sharp look out - you may see a graceful heron alongside the canal, and maybe even flashy kingfishers!

 

In Spring, as you glide smoothly along the canal, you’ll see ducklings, cygnets and maybe families of goose or moorhen chicks. If you choose to travel southwards, you’ll be amazed by the stunning carpet of bluebells that covers the floor of Farnhill Wood (a secret known only to canal users - see photo on right).  During the entire boating season the canal winds through green and leafy Yorkshire countryside with stunning views across the wide Aire Valley.

 

Those who wish to try steering Lizzie-Jean may do so under the supervision of the skipper - a former teacher and adult-trainer.  You may then feel confident enough to hire a canal boat yourself one day (see Links and Comments pages), but if you'd like more comprehensive instruction why not book a Boating Tuition day cruise?

 

 

Other Options:  If you fancy doing something on Lizzie-Jean that's a bit different to the above we'll try our best to arrange it for you - please contact "the skipper" to discuss your ideasFor example, in 2009 we were asked to provide an evening Champagne Cruise to a canalside pub during which a prospective husband would propose to his intended bride!

 

 

Even a child can open some of the canal bridges

 

Above:  A young boater opening one of the Swing Bridges on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Skipton and Gargrave

 

 

Farnhill bluebell wood in Spring

 

Farnhill Bluebell Wood

 

 

Below: Local canal wildlife

 

Ducks awaiting their dinner!     A heron watching passing boats on the Leeds & Liverpool canal

 

 

 

 

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