North Pennine Ring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Pennine Ring |
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Two narrow boats in Kings Road Lock give an idea of the size of locks on the Aire and Calder Navigation.
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| Specifications | |
| Length | 184 miles (296 km) |
| Locks | 215 |
| Status | Canal ring |
| Navigation authority | British Waterways |
The North Pennine Ring is a special boat route. It connects canals across the Pennines mountains. This route links big cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Castleford. It uses parts of five different canals. It's also similar to another route called the Outer Pennine Ring.
History of Canal Rings
The idea of a "canal ring" started in 1965. It was part of a plan to save the Rochdale Canal from closing. People wanted to show that canals could still be used for fun trips. A canal ring is a series of canals that connect in a circle. This means you can travel around without going over the same part twice.
The first ring was called the "Cheshire Ring." The North Pennine Ring is newer. It became possible only after the Rochdale Canal was fully fixed up in 2002. This route was named by canal fans. It's like a partner to the South Pennine Ring, which was made to attract tourists.
Exploring the North Pennine Ring Route
The North Pennine Ring follows parts of five canals. It starts at Castlefield Junction in Manchester. Then it goes around in a clockwise direction.
The canals you will travel on are:
- Bridgewater Canal
- Leeds and Liverpool Canal
- Aire and Calder Navigation
- Calder and Hebble Navigation
- Rochdale Canal
Journey on the Bridgewater Canal
From Castlefield Junction, you follow the Bridgewater Canal. You will reach Waters Meeting. Here, the main canal goes left towards Runcorn. But the ring route turns onto the Stretford and Leigh Branch. This branch connects to the Leeds and Liverpool Leigh Branch at Leigh.
The Bridgewater Canal is very old. It opened in 1761. Many people think it was the first canal in England. However, the Sankey Canal opened earlier in 1757. The Stamford Canal was even older, opening in the 1670s.
A famous part of this canal was a huge aqueduct. It carried boats 38 feet (11.6 m) over the River Irwell. This allowed sailing ships to pass underneath. It was later replaced by the famous Barton Swing Aqueduct. This section of the canal is about 13.6 miles (21.9 km) long.
Traveling the Leeds and Liverpool Leigh Branch
The Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was planned in 1800. But it took a long time to build. It finally opened in 1820. The locks on this branch were made longer in 1822. This allowed bigger boats to use them.
This area used to have a lot of coal mining. The ground has sunk in some places because of this. The canal now sits on a raised bank. This bank was made from waste from the mines. There are two locks on this section. It is about 7.3 miles (11.7 km) long.
Building the main Leeds and Liverpool Canal started in 1770. It became a complete route in 1816. The North Pennine Ring climbs 21 locks at Wigan. This is part of a big set of 23 locks.
After these locks, the canal joins what was once the Lancaster Canal. This part of the canal is flat for about 10.2 miles (16.4 km). You will pass through six more locks at Blackburn. There is also a tunnel at Gannow, which is 559 yards (511 m) long. The canal then climbs seven more locks at Barrowford. This takes you to the highest point of the canal. This summit is 487 feet (148.4 m) above sea level.
Getting enough water for the summit was always a challenge. The summit level is only 6 miles (9.7 km) long. It includes the 1640-yard (1500 m) Foulridge Tunnel. After the summit, the canal goes downhill towards Leeds. The route follows the valley of the River Aire. By the time you reach Leeds, you will have traveled 92 miles (148.1 km) from Wigan. You will also have passed through 85 locks.
Now, the ring uses a busy commercial waterway. You might see large oil tankers and sand barges here. Most of the locks on the River Aire section are very big. They are 200 feet (61 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. The locks on the River Calder section are a bit smaller.
The Aire and Calder Navigation has been improved since 1699. It became very successful. It used to carry a lot of coal. Now, it mainly carries petroleum and sand. At Castleford, you need to be careful. The Leeds Arm joins at a crossing. There are traffic lights to watch out for. This helps prevent crashes with commercial boats.
The ring turns right to go to Wakefield. On the way, you will pass the Stanley Ferry Aqueducts. The first one opened in 1839. A newer one opened in 1981. Both are still in use. From Leeds to Wakefield, it's about 17.5 miles (28.2 km). You will go through 11 locks.
The Calder and Hebble Navigation is another river navigation. Many parts of the river have been bypassed by man-made cuts. The lower locks were made bigger in 1855. This allowed larger boats to use them. However, some locks are still smaller. They are 57.5 feet (17.5 m) long and 14.2 feet (4.3 m) wide. These sizes were set by the old Humber keel boats. Commercial boats stopped using this waterway in 1981.
West of Wakefield, the canal goes under the M1 motorway. You will see the Elmley Moor television transmitter. At Dewsbury, there is a short branch to Saville Town Basin. The canal passes through Brighouse. You will also see flooded gravel pits used for water skiing.
There are three locks at Salterhebble. The bottom gate of the first lock is now a special guillotine gate. It is powered by electricity. The final part of this section is narrow. It runs along a wooded hill to Sowerby Bridge. Near here is the Wainhouse Tower. It's a tall building, 253 feet (77.1 m) high. It was meant to be a chimney but became a viewing platform. From Fall Ings, you have traveled 21.5 miles (34.6 km). You have gone through 26 locks, six flood locks, and two sets of flood gates.
Completing the Ring on the Rochdale Canal
The Rochdale Canal is the last part of the North Pennine Ring. It opened in 1804. Most of its locks are 72 feet (21.9 m) long and 14.2 feet (4.3 m) wide. But some locks are narrower. This limits the size of boats that can use the canal. The canal is 32 miles (51.5 km) long. Most of it was closed in 1952.
Work to fix up the canal began in 1984. A big part was reconnected in 1996. Tuel Lane lock was built then. It replaced two old locks. At 20 feet (6.1 m) deep, it is the deepest lock on English canals. The canal was fully reopened in 2002.
Getting enough water for the canal was always a problem. Eight reservoirs were built to supply water. All the locks were built with the same drop. This meant they used the same amount of water. It also meant only one size of gate was needed.
Today, passage over the summit is limited. Only four boats can go each way per day. You must book in advance. Staff help boats through some sections. The summit is 601 feet (183.2 m) above sea level.
Below lock 83, the canal joins the Ashton Canal. Here, the Outer Pennine Ring joins the North Pennine Ring again. Nine locks lead down into Manchester. These locks are surrounded by the city. They take you back to Castlefield Junction, completing your journey around the ring. The Rochdale Canal has 91 locks now.
