Jim Shead Waterways Photographer & Writer

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.

Top 100 Sites

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Description of Leeds and Liverpool Canal: A 127 mile, cross-Pennine route, from Leeds River Lock, where it joins the Aire and Calder Navigation, to Liverpool.

History of Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Promoted by Acts of 1720, 1770, 1783, 1790, 1794 and 1819. Over fifty miles of waterway open by early 1774. The Bingley Five Rise Locks were opened on the 21st March 1774. Five laden boats descended the locks watched by thousands of people. Burnley Embankment (designed by Robert Whitworth, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company Engineer) started in 1795. Gannow tunnel was completed in early 1801. The whole canal was fully opened in 1816.
For more details see the History page.

Subordinate Waterways of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Navigation Authority of Leeds and Liverpool Canal MD's Office: Northern Waterways, General Manager: North West Waterways, Trafalgar House, Temple Court, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 6GD: Telephone 01925 847700 : Fax 01925 847710 : (Covers the waterway west of bridge 158 (Greenberfield).).

Navigation Authority of Leeds and Liverpool Canal MD's Office: Northern Waterways, General Manager: Yorkshire Waterways, Fearns Wharf, Neptune Street, Leeds LS9 8PB: Telephone 0113 281 6800 : Fax 0113 281 6886 : (Covers the waterway east of bridge 158 (Greenberfield).).

Cruising near Skipton

Related Articles of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Related Books of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The Canals of North West England (1) by Charles Hadfield and Gordon Biddle, ISBN: 07153 49562, 236 pages, Published by David & Charles, Volume 1. . Order now from .
The Canals of North West England (2) by Charles Hadfield and Gordon Biddle, ISBN: 07153 49929, 260 pages, Published by David & Charles, Volume 2.. Order now from .
A Home Tour Through the Manufacturing Districts of England, in the Summer of 1835 by G Head, Edition: 1st edition, 445 pages, Published by John Murray, in 1836, Many journeys by canal and river are described, including the Bridgewater, Carlise and Annan, Halifax, Knottingley, Lancaster, Leeds & Liverpool and Trent & Mersey. Several new railways are also described as part of this industrial tour..
Sailing Through England by John Seymour, Edition: 1st edition, 256 pages, Published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, in 1956, Account of a long journey on a dutch barge, on East Coast waterways and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Illustrated..
Leeds and Liverpool Canal Craft by G Wheat, Edition: 1st edition, 24 pages, Published by Northern Counties Carriers, in 1972, Illustrated..
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal by D C Lyons, Published by Hendon Publishing Co, in 1977,
Liverpool and its Canal by Mike Clarke and Allison Hewitt, ISBN: 0-95161293X, 112 pages, Published by Merseyside Port Folios, in 1992, Informative but lacks good presentation.. Order now from .
Around and About The Leeds & Liverpool Canal by Mike Clarke, 112 pages, Published by Milepost Research, in 1992, Comprehensive, A5 size, tourist guide. Illustrated with coloured maps, line drawings and photographs..
Walks from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal by Mary Welsh, ISBN: 1 85284 212 1, 160 pages, Published by Cicerone Press, in 1996, Description of 34 walks.. Order now from .
Burscough Boatmen: Their Marriages and their Boats by Robert Cheetham-Houghton, ISBN: 1 901231 12 7, 52 pages, Published by Countyvise, in 1999, A history, with photographs, of the boating families of this small town on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.. Order now from .
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Yorkshire by Garry Firth, ISBN: 0 7524 1631 6, 128 pages, Published by Tempus, in 1999, An illustrated history of the canal. Part of the Images of England Series.. Order now from .
Scenes from the Past - Lancashire Canal Carriers, J Monk & Sons by Norman Jones and James and Leonard Monk, ISBN: 1 870119 54 1, 64 pages, Published by Foxline, in 2000, Large format book with good photographs of the Manchester Ship Canal and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.. Order now from .
Nicholson/Ordnance Survey Guide to the waterways - 5 by Not known, ISBN: 978-0-00-728165-7, 190 pages, Published by Nicholson, in 2009, North West & the Pennines. Includes the Aire & Calder (leeds to Wakefield), Bridgewater, Calder & Hebble, Huddersfield Broad, Lancaster, Leeds & Liverpool, Macclesfield, Peak Forest, Ashton and Rochdale canals plus the Trent & Mersey north of Hardings Wood Junction.. Order now from .
Pearson's Canal Companion: Pennine Waters by Michael Pearson, Edition: Third, ISBN: 0 9545383 4 X, 80 pages, Published by J M Pearson & Son, Includes the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Wigan to Leeds, the Aire & Calder/ Calder & Hebble and Rchdale route from Leeds to Littleborough, and the Huddersfield Broad and Narrow canals.. Order now from .
Brightwork by Mike Clarke and Sam Yates, ISBN: 0-9519236-2-5, Published by Milepost Research, in 2009, An examination of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal wide boat and its traditional decoration.. Order now from .
Liverpool and its Canal by Mike Clarke, Edition: Revised and expanded, ISBN: 9 781843 063360, Published by Landmark Publishing, in 2007, Covers the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and its history, in connection with the city, up to the present day.. Order now from .

Related videos of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal (Part 1) , 0 minutes Produced by VideoActive, Eastern section - Leeds to Foulridge. Available on tape DVD. Order on video tape from . Order on DVD from
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Blackburn to Leeds , 55 minutes Produced by Westbrook Video Productions, From the heart of industrial east Lancashire, the video takes the viewer through Accrington and Burnley into the contrasting splendour of the North Yorkshire Dales countryside. Available on tape. Order on video tape from
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal (Part 2) , 0 minutes Produced by VideoActive, Western section - Foulridge to Liverpool. Available on tape DVD. Order on video tape from . Order on DVD from

Related photographs of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Bank Newton Top Lock No 41
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Bank Newton Top Lock No 41
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Higherland Lock No 32
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Higherland Lock No 32
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Higherland Lock No 32
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Higherland Lock No 32
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Skipton Junction
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Skipton Junction
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Skipton Junction
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Kildwick Aqueduct Farnhill
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Field Staircase Locks Nos 16 to 18
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Wigan Top Lock No 65
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Wigan Pier Bantam 69
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Field Staircase Locks Nos 16 to 18
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Rufford Branch Junction Top Lock of the Rufford Branch
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Shipley Road Bridges No 207A Narrowboat by mill
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Skipton Junction Springs Branch from junction
Leeds and Liverpool Canal - Skipton The Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Skipton
Leeds and Liverpool Canal - Skipton The Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Skipton
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Higherland Lock No 32 Signpost and lock
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Foulridge Wharf Lady Mildred moored
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Field Staircase Locks Nos 16 to 18 Locks in morning mist
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Kirkstall Forge Staircase Locks Nos 8 to 10 Boats coming out of lock
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Burnley BWB Depot Burnley Embankment
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Bank Newton Top Lock No 41 Boats in lock number 39
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Bingley 5 Rise Staircase Locks Nos 25 to 29
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Skipton Junction Passing Brewery Swing Bridge
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Barrowford Top Lock No 45
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Halsall Bridge No 25
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Stanley Dock Cut Convoy for Mersey Crossing
Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Wigan Pier Trip boat by Mill

Related External Web Sites of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Black Prince Holidays Five bases, covering the canal system of England and Wales, with 80 narrowboats for hire.
PB Mechanical Services Marine engineers based in the canal side workshop within the grounds of L & L Cruisers on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Heath Charnock near Chorley.
Pennine Cruisers Boat hire based at Skipton on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal A towpath guide to this and some other canals.
Snaygill Boats Hire boats based on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Skipton.
Silsden Boats Canal boat holidays on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Spirit of Endeavour A luxury wide beam canal hire boat on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Airedale Boat Club Airedale Boat Club was founded in 1959
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society Helping to ensure the survival of the unique traditions of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Wheelton Boat Club Provides moorings and social events for its members. Membership is open to all with an interest in waterways.
Fallwood Marina Marina and boat buildiing on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Ice Boats of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Based on work by the Nautical Archaeology Society
Pennine Boat Trips of Skipton Public trips, charters, catering afloat and educational voyages.
Airedale Cruising Skippered Cruises aboard narrowboat Lizzie-Jean starting from the centre of Skipton, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
The Mersey Motor Boat Club Founded in 1932 it is one of the oldest cruising clubs in the country
Next Generation Boat Project A non profit making organisation operating boat trips on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for children and young adults
Pennine Waterways Peak Forest, Ashton, Rochdale, Leeds & Liverpool, Huddersfield and other canals in the area.
Classic Narrowboats Classic Narrowboats based at Wheelton Boatyard on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The Aire Valley Towpath Route Links the 22 km length of towpath on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Leeds and Saltaire and is suitable for all towpath users.
Calder Valley Marine Engineering, boat-building and servicing based at Apperley Bridge Marina and Savile Town Wharf.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal An online journal in words and photos documenting walks along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Barge Spotting A log of narrowboats and barges spotted at Church on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Towpath Treks A photographic guide to the Leeds Liverpool canal.
Canal Boat Escapes A family run company hiring out a modern narrowboat on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Botany Bay Boat Yard The yard has been trading for many years near town of Chorley on the Leeds & Liverpool canal.

Related Cruising Logs of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Other Related Pages of Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions of Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Leeds to Wigan: Length 62 foot, beam 14 foot. Wigan to Liverpool: Length 72 foot, beam 14 foot. NOTE: For more details of maximum lock and craft sizes and the basis of these figures see Craft and Lock Sizes Page

Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Table of distances		Miles	Locks	Navigable (N)	Grid ref	OS Map No
River Lock No 1, Leeds	Junction with Aire & Calder Main Line Junction with the Aire and calder Navigation.	0	1	N	SE297330	104
Office Lock No 2	Leeds Wharf	0.3	2	N	SE295330	104
St Anne's Ing Lock No 3		0.5	3	N	SE289332	104
Oddy Staircase Locks Nos 4 and 5		0.8	5	N	SE285334	104
Spring Garden's Lock No 6		1	6	N	SE283337	104
Armley Mill Bridge No 225		1.5	6	N	SE276340	104
Kirkstall Wharf Bridge		3	6	N	SE259351	104
Kirkstall Lock No 7	Kirkstall Brewery	3.5	7	N	SE256358	104
Kirkstall Forge Staircase Locks Nos 8 to 10		4	10	N	SE250363	104
Newlay Staircase Locks Nos 11 to 13		4.5	13	N	SE242366	104
Horsforth Road Bridge No 216A	A6120	6.1	13	N	SE221367	104
Dobson Staircase Locks Nos 14 and 15		9	15	N	SE187381	104
Strangford Basin		9.9	15	N	SE184395	104
Field Staircase Locks Nos 16 to 18		10.3	18	N	SE179397	104
Bradford Canal (abandoned)		12.5	18	N	SE151377	104
Shipley Road Bridges No 207A	A6038	12.8	18	N	SE148377	104
Hirst Lock No 19		13.8	19	N	SE132382	104
Dowley Gap Staircase Locks Nos 20 and 21		14.4	21	N	SE119383	104
Bingley Station Bridge No 202		15.3	21	N	SE107392	104
Bingley 3 Rise Staircase Locks Nos 22 to 24		15.4	24	N	SE107394	104
Bingley 5 Rise Staircase Locks Nos 25 to 29		15.6	29	N	SE107399	104
Granby Bridge, Riddlesden No 197A		18	29	N	SE079423	104
Leache Bridge No 196		18.5	29	N	SE070426	104
Silsden Bridge No 191A	A6034 Road Bridge. Town centre a quarter of a mile north.	22.5	29	N	SE041461	104
Kildwick Aqueduct		24.3	29	N	SE010459	104
Snaygill Stone Bridge No 181		27.8	29	N	SD993493	103
Skipton Junction	Junction with Leeds & Liverpool - Springs Branch Junction with Springs Branch	29.3	29	N	SD987516	103
Holme Bridge Lock No 30	Holme Bridge (A65 road) No 172A	33.3	30	N	SD943545	103
Eshton Road Lock No 31	Eshton Road Bridge No 171	34	31	N	SD933545	103
Higherland Lock No 32	Higherland Bridge No 170	34.3	32	N	SD930544	103
Anchor Lock No 33	A65 Road over Anchor Bridge No 169A	34.6	33	N	SD925542	103
Scarland Lock No 34		34.8	34	N	SD921542	103
Stegneck Lock No 35		35	35	N	SD918539	103
Bank Newton Bottom Lock No 36	Bank Newton Flight of 6 locks Nos 36 to 41	35.3	36	N	SD914533	103
Bank Newton Top Lock No 41		35.8	41	N	SD911529	103
Double Arched Bridge No 161	Cross Keys Inn, East Marton	38	41	N	SD909508	103
South Field Bridge No 159		39.5	41	N	SD897492	103
Greenberfield Bottom Lock No 42	Greenberfield Flight of 3 locks Nos 42 to 44	40.5	42	N	SD889484	103
Greenberfield Top Lock No 44		40.8	44	N	SD887481	103
Coates Bridge No 154A	Barnoldswick half a mile south-west.	41.5	44	N	SD881474	103
Salterforth Bridge No 151	Salterforth Village 200 yards north-east.	43.5	44	N	SD887453	103
Foulridge Wharf		45	44	N	SD888425	103
Foulridge Tunnel (North-east End)		45.1	44	N	SD887424	103
Foulridge Tunnel (South-west End)		46.1	44	N	SD874415	103
Barrowford Top Lock No 45	Barrowford Flight of 7 locks Nos 45 to 51	46.8	45	N	SD868403	103
Barrowford Bottom Lock No 51		47.5	51	N	SD867395	103
Nelson Bridge No 141	Town Centre 400 yards east.	48.8	51	N	SD856380	103
Lob Lane Bridge No 137	Brierfield	50.3	51	N	SD843364	103
Godley Bridge No 130H	The north end of Burnley embankment.	53.8	51	N	SD846331	103
Burnley BWB Depot		54.5	51	N	SD840320	103
Gannow Tunnel (North End)		56	51	N	SD827329	103
Old Rose Grove Bridge No 125	M65 Motorway bridge immediately south	56.8	51	N	SD810322	103
Hapton Bridge No 121		58.3	51	N	SD793320	103
Whalley Road Bridge No 114B	Clayton-le-Moors. A680 road bridge.	62.5	51	N	SD748304	103
Church Kirk Bridge No 112		63.8	51	N	SD739290	103
Rishton Bridge No 108A	Town centre a quarter of a mile west.	66	51	N	SD728303	103
Railway Bridge No 105		68.5	51	N	SD705294	103
Whitebirk Bridge No104B		68.8	51	N	SD705287	103
Enam Bridge No 103A	Blackburn station and town centre.	70.3	51	N	SD688281	103
Blackburn Top Lock No 52	Blackburn Flight of 6 locks Nos 52 to 57	71	52	N	SD683271	103
Blackburn Bottom Lock No 57	Bolton Road (A666) Bridge No 99	71.5	57	N	SD677268	103
Cherry Tree Bridge No 95		73	57	N	SD659263	103
Stanworth Bridge No 93		75	57	N	SD641249	103
Riley Green Bridge No 91A	A675 road bridge	76	57	N	SD623251	103
Withnell Fold Bridge No 88	Village on East bank.	77.5	57	N	SD610231	103
Whins Bridge No 83	Wheelton	78.8	57	N	SD601218	103
Johnson's Hill Top Lock No 58	Johnson's Hill flight of 7 locks Nos 58 to 64	79.3	58	N	SD596214	102
Johnson's Hill Bottom Lock No 64	Junction with the closed Walton Summit Branch	79.8	64	N	SD590206	102
Botany Bridge No 78A		81	64	N	SD593188	108
Cowling Bridge No 75A		82.3	64	N	SD596167	108
White Bear Bridge No 69	Adlington	85	64	N	SD599129	108
Red Rock Bridge No 63		87.5	64	N	SD584098	108
Wigan Top Lock No 65	Wigan flight of 23 locks Nos 65 to 87	90	65	N	SD607067	109
Wigan Lock No 78	Rose Bridge No 54, A577.	91	78	N	SD597056	108
Leigh Branch Junction	Junction with Leeds & Liverpool - Leigh Branch	92	85	N	SD583048	108
Wigan Bottom Lock No 87		92.3	87	N	SD579050	108
Wigan Pier	Heritage Centre	92.5	87	N	SD575052	108
Pagefield Lock No 88		93.4	88	N	SD568060	108
Hell Meadow Lock No 89		94	89	N	SD562067	108
M6 Motorway Bridge		95.9	89	N	SD536074	108
Dean Locks No 90	Two locks side by side	96	90	N	SD535074	108
Appley Bridge No 42	Canalside hamlet.	97.5	90	N	SD523092	108
Appley Lock No 91	One deep lock or two shallower locks beside it can be used.	98	91	N	SD518095	108
Parbold Bridge No 37	Parbold Village on north bank	99.5	91	N	SD491105	108
Rufford Branch Junction	Junction with Leeds & Liverpool - Rufford Branch	102.5	91	N	SD450114	108
Burscough Bridge No 32A	BW Depot	103.3	91	N	SD442121	108
New Lane Bridge No 31		104.3	91	N	SD428126	108
Heatons Bridge No 28	Heaton Bridge Inn	106	91	N	SD403118	108
Scarisbrick Bridge No 27A	A570 road bridge	107	91	N	SD387117	108
Halsall Bridge No 25	Halsall village a quarter of a mile north-west	108.5	91	N	SD374098	108
Haskayne Bridge No 21A	Haskayne village on west bank.	110	91	N	SD360079	108
Downholland Cross Bridge No 20A	Scarisbrick Arms	110.8	91	N	SD364068	108
Jackson's Bridge No 19		112	91	N	SD374052	108
Lollies Bridge No 17A		112.9	91	N	SD366045	108
Red Lion Bridge No 13	Maghull	114.3	91	N	SD374022	108
Maghull Hall Bridge No 12		114.8	91	N	SD378016	108
Melling Stone Bridge No 11		115.5	91	N	SD384004	108
Blue Anchor Bridge No 8	Aintree Race Course	118	91	N	SJ378984	108
Old Roan Bridge No 7D	A59 road bridge	118.8	91	N	SJ370990	108
Netherton Swing Bridge No 6		119	91	N	SJ358999	108
Gorsey Lane Bridge No 4A	B5422 road bridge	121	91	N	SJ341992	108
Litherland Bridge No 2J	A5036 road bridge	122.8	91	N	SJ336974	108
Linacre Bridge No 2E		123.8	91	N	SJ345963	108
Stanley Road Bridge No 2A	Bootle Wharf	124.5	91	N	SJ343953	108
Bank Hall Station Bridge No I		125.8	91	N	SJ342937	108
Sandhills Staton Bridge No F		126	91	N	SJ344930	108
Stanley Dock Cut		126.5	91	N	SJ342921	108
Canal Terminus Bridge A		127	91	N	SJ340915	108

NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.