Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Huddersfield to Standedge Tunnel - 8th January 2017

Aqueduct over the River Colne, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Julie and I began our journey on the HNC, fully restored in 2002, from Aspley Basin.  At the beginning we were diverted because of the underground tunnels under the factory.  We rejoined the tow path a couple of bridges later.  

Urban landscape greeted us when we passed Milnsbridge and Linthwaite but afterwards the area became scenic with the Colne Valley.  It was lunchtime when we approached Slaithwaite where we stopped for a sit down and our lunch.  The position of the canal in the village compliments Slaithwaite.  This stretch of the canal is very popular with cyclists and walkers - we walked through a wooded scenic area of the including the Sparth reservoir (this is where the boaters can't continue on the canal unless they have booked to travel through the Standedge Tunnel).

Ascending steeply towards the Pennine Moors we reached Standedge Tunnel near Marsden - the locks so close togther particularly those from 32 E to the final one, 42E.  We had a look round the country's longest and deepest canal tunnel and enjoyed well deserved refreshments at Standedge Visitors Centre's Cafe and had some time to look round its exhibition, which accounted in details the problems of building the tunnel and the managing it, in its restored warehouse.

We returned to the tow path to reach Marsden's railway station and as we had to wait a while for our train we had a drink at the nearby Railway pub.  It was an enjoyable day despite the weather being overcast and drizzly.  Since our walk we have now booked a through boat passage on Standedge Tunnel, from Diggle to Marsden, in July which will be an interesting experience.

Ashton Under Lyne to Greenfield - 9th April 2017

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, between Stalybridge and Mossley

I continued my adventures on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal - my last time on the canal was when my friend and I walked from Huddersfield to Standedge Tunnel End in January.  This walk however I started from Ashton Under Lyne where I first stopped at the wonderful Portland Basin Museum where I enjoyed a coffee at the Bridge Cafe and visited the shop before proceeding. 

I walked a bit on the Ashton Canal diverting via the ASDA but a side path led me to the beginning of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  The first bit of the stretch was a bit run down with plenty of rubbish and an odd assortment of  old and modern industrial buildings some left to deteriorate but others aesthetically pleasing.  The aggressive Canadian geese weren't happy to see us and one boldly hissed at the passing cyclists! I wait for the geese to return to the canal before walking on.

The scenery became pleasanter when I approached Stalybridge.  This area had undergone a regenerative transformation during the canal's restoration.   The canal runs through the town centre and forms part of Armentieres Square.  It is a place where people can sit by the canal and watch the world go by.  I enjoyed my lunch stop there and also handy for provisions with a Tesco's a short walk away.

Moving on through the Tame Valley I reached Millbrook which is infamous for the canal transversing through one of the pylon's legs! The nearby Hartshead Power Station was built after the original closure of the canal and still the remnants of a conveyer from the power station can still be seen.

Between Locks 11W and 12W is Scout Tunnel which can be walked through (a diversion is available for walkers who don't wish to walk through it).  My torch certainly came in handy!  After Scout Tunnel is Mossley, a pleasant village with amenities and facilities.  I stopped for a drink at Roaches Lock Pub.  I was planning to walk to Diggle but as it was around 3.30pm I decided to finish at Greenfield.  It would have been very late in the day if I stuck to my originally plan and I needed to get a train back to Leeds at a reasonable time.

Via Royal George Aqueduct I turned off at Bridge 80 and it was a short ascent to Greenfield Railway Station.  Only had a quarter an hour wait for the train which will take me home via Huddersfield.   In all it was a great day out and walked roughly 7 and a bit miles.  I will soon finish the remaining stretch to Diggle where there will be an opportunity to visit the Saddleworth Museum and Brownhill Countryside Centre. The highlight then will no doubt seeing the Standedge Tunnel in Diggle.

Greenfield to Diggle (Round Trip) - 15th April 2018

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Uppermill

I returned to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to complete walking the section from Greenfield to Diggle.  I did a round trip because the buses aren't frequent from Diggle to Uppermill (one every hour and its a bit of a walk from the tunnel). In total it was six miles.

I rejoined the canal at Greenfield and walk the short distance to Uppermill.  On arrival at Uppermill I visited the Saddleworth Museum.  An interesting musuem with great exhibits about the area's history and its's cultural links with Yorkshire.  Not the friendliest of museums but worth £3.00 to visit though I resisted the overpriced souvenirs in the gift shop.

I continued my walk on the busy towpath towards the Saddleworth Viaduct and and Lime Kiln Lock (23w).  I reached the Countryside Centre which has a cafe and toilets are available.  A perfect place for a comfort stop though I got a takeaway coffee from its very busy cafe.  From there the towpath wasn't as busy and as I approached Dobcross - Huddersfield Canal Society has its office in the former Transhipment Shed.  This used to transfer goods from the nearby woollen mill.  

Beyond the shed we ascended flights of many locks towards Standedge Tunnel.  I thoroughy enjoyed walking up the path with the surrounding Moors.  We saw old buildings including the former Shaw Pallet Factory and Dobcross Loom Works. Passing the refreshment booths I reached the canal's summit level and Standedge Tunnel (Diggle Portal).  This is how far I can walk on the HNC and now looking forward to my planned boat ride through the tunnel to Marsden.

I had a lovely meal and rest at the Diggle Hotel before walking back to Greenfield for my train home.  I stopped for dessert at the Kingfisher pub and restaurant only to have realised a train was due! So I had to rush my lovely icecream sundae and catch the train to Huddersfield for my connecting train home.

It was great walking the HNC and now the boat ride will complete the adventure!

Standedge Tunnel to Linthwaite - 21st July 2017

Family times on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Another family canal walk but this time on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  After our Leeds and Liverpool Canal adventures we are now walking (for me, rewalking) some of the other Pennine Canals.  We are currently focussing on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  Dad parked the car in Marsden, near the railway station, and we joined the canal at Lock 42E.

We did a detour to Standedge Visitors Centre.  My parents had a look round the Visitors Centre while I spoke to one of the "skippers" for my me and my friend's adventure ride through Standedge Tunnel on the following day.

Retracing our steps from Standedge to Lock 42E we enjoyed the stretch descending down to the Colne Valley.  We stopped at Slaithwaite for an ice cream at the Lock 22 Cafe.  The artisan ice cream they serve there is lovely and reasonably priced.  We finished at Bridge 40, in Linthwaite, where the road leads to the coveted Titanic Spa Hotel and caught the bus (No. 185) on Manchester Road back to Marsden.  On our arrival there we picked up the car and drove home.

The weather was nice and dry and not too hot and we met some walkers and their lovely dogs enroute.

Transversing through Standedge Tunnel (Greenfield to Marsden) - 22nd July 2017

Standedge Tunnel (West and East Entrance Portals

My friend, Julie, and I were looking forward to transversing through Britain's longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel.  I felt unique to me as I had already walked the towpaths of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal but yet to do the tunnel whether through or over!

After a breakfast at Leeds railway station, we got the train to Greenfield via Huddersfield.  On arrival we descended down to the towpath.  We met a friendly boat trader in Uppermill and generally enjoyed the sights the canal has to offer.  We were in for a treat; a rare sighting of a narrow boat going through the Diggle Locks.  Usually a boat passage through the tunnel needs to be booked in advance and boaters generally not allowed to ascend the Diggle Flight of Locks unless a passage is booked.  There is only a limited number of passages available in the summer and hence the rare sighting!  

After an ice-cream stop at Grandpa Greene's we made it to the Diggle portal in good time.  We had a briefing about our ride and soon after we went in!  It felt surreal being in the tunnel for two hours or so and the ride gave us an insight and a perspective about the hard work the navvies did for constructing the tunnel, the length of the tunnel and the speed the boat we were in went (a stark contrast to the train journey!).  We could hear trains from time to time as the four Standedge tunnels (just one railway ones is  in use now) are side by side.

We had front and back pilots and a Canal River Trust guy was on hand who gave us a thorough information about the 200 year old tunnel and its past and present operations.  I was getting used to the darkness around me...then we began to see the 'other end' of the tunnel at Marsden Portal and eventually went out.

Certainly a worthwhile thing to do and recommendable.  We had some some photos taken with the pilots and 'heroes' that got us through.  

It was a short walk to Marsden railway station; we had time to kill before the next train so we popped in the Railway Inn for some drinks.  The pub is on the popular Ale Trail so always an Exodus of people coming and going...a regular sighting for my adventures on the HNC!  It was eventually time to catch the train for home via Huddersfield. 

Linthwaite to Huddersfield - 25th August 2017

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Milnsbridge

We continued our adventures on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal but this time from Linthwaite to Huddersfield.  Dad parked the car near the Titanic Spa Hotel and picked up where we left off.  My parents were fascinated with the abundance of blackberries that were ripe and ready for picking and eating....they had a lot of picked blackberries from other places so they passed and walked on

.

We walked through Lowestwood and the Golcar Aqueduct. which crosses the River Colne, where we saw a little waterfall down below.   We approached Milnsbridge, which is a built up area and some of the old buildings have been regenerated including the former Britannia Mills (built in 1861).  Locks 9E have been engraved with some thought provoking messages - not sure if its sanctioned piece of art or someone who decided to mark on them as alternative graffiti! The messages certainly made us think more! 

We continued on towards the railway viaduct and soon we reached the outskirts of the town centre.  There is a fair bit of regeneration happening in the area including the canal area.  We had to divert at Locks 3E and follow the blue pedestrian signs until we could rejoin the towpath.  The canal goes through the underground Sellers' Tunnel and we met the canal just before Lock 2E.   We reached Lock 1E and this marked the end or beginning of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  We had some insalubrious company who was hanging by the locks but undeterred we joined the Huddersfield Broad Canal and passing the University campuses and some impressive weeping willow trees we finished at Aspley Basin.

It was a bit of a walk to the bus station and I was begrudged paying an expensive single to Linthwaite as I forgot to bring my metrocard with me on the walk.  We got to Linthwaite OK and to Dad's car for the drive home.  It was a good walk and we're looking forward to walking (for me, rewalking) the remainder of the Canal and also the Broad Canal.

Greenfield to Diggle (Round Trip) - 13th October 2017

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Greenfield

My Dad and I did the five mile round trip from Greenfield to Diggle (via the Standedge Tunnel) on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.  We got a train via Huddersfield to Greenfield and enjoyed coffee in a 1980s like buffet bar while we waited for our connection.  The weather was promising on the Yorkshire side of the moors but after travelling through the Standedge rail tunnel to the Lancashire side the weather wasn't so (the forecast was right!).  On our arrival at the station, the heavens opened so we had to put on our wet gear.  It was like this on an off until we reached Diggle and the tunnel.

I've walked this stretch twice before but still I never get tired of it with the surrounding moors, particularly the Diggle flight of locks, and approaching the tunnel.  Dad enjoyed a rare sighting of a heron and the ducks seem to be enjoying the fast flowing river and getting wet on the waterway.  I saw things I didn't notice before such as 'West Riding of Yorkshire' - Saddleworth still consider themselves Yorkshire and not Lancashire and was so until 1974 and the old railway company boundary markers.

We sought dry and warmth at the Diggle Hotel, nestled in the Moors, and I do love this cosy pub which offers bed and breakfast.  The hotel offers access to numerous of trails across the Moors towards Marsden and other places.  I might consider this when I'm fitter.  After our drink we descended down the canal and eventually Greenfield.

Before we caught our train home we had a lovely meal at The Kingfisher.  We were drawn to the 2 in 1 offer on main meals and it was a nice treat.  Despite the rain and wind, we had a great walk and it was nice to be back on the canal and in stunning countryside.  One more stretch before we complete walking the Huddersfield Narrow Canal!

Mossley to Lock 31W - 21st October 2017

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Mossley

I can't resist returning to the HNC!  This time I started in Mossley and finished at Grandpa Greene's Icecream cafe at Lock 31W.  I originally was going up to the Standedge Tunnel and The Diggle Hotel but with the windy and wet weather worsening it was wise to turn back to Greenfield Station.

It was a steep descent from Mossley Railway Station to the canal and an unorthodox entrance to the towpath at Mossley Bottoms.  It was a pleasant walk nonetheless though pretty built up at the beginning.  The canal runs besides the River Tame and Woodlands and it's such a scenic stretch.  Crossed the river by the Royal George Aqueduct to reach Greenfield for the short walk to Uppermill.  A break was enjoying something strong and warm (a lovely liquor coffee) at The Waggon on the High Street.  

Afterwards I continued on the familar path and sights towards Diggle.  I never get tired seeing the impressive structures and canal sightings such as the impressive rail viaduct (at Lock 23W) and the Diggle Flight of Locks.  The weather got windier with rain thrown in as I ascended up the locks so I retreated at Grandpa Greenes' over a delicious milkshake.  Certainly love to try their food and ice cream sundaes on a return visit as they looked impressive when others ordered them!  I decided there and then that I'll turn back and go home. 

I just missed the train on my arrival at Greenfield Station so I had to wait almost an hour for the next one!  I killed a minimum time at the unimpressive Railway Inn.  I didn't like the pub; its lack of atmosphere and comfy decor, very loud music, not family friendly and drinks served in plastic glasses!  I guess the glasses are to cater for the ale trailers who can take their drinks with them when they have to catch the train.  Rest of my waiting time was spent in a covered shelter station and with just 10 mins to go or so, a large army of ale trailers emerged on the platform and seeking the same shelter as it was raining heavy.  It was amusing to see themsleves run across the bridge to the other platform when the train arrived!  A good walk and look forward to more adventures on the HNC!

Greenfield to Ashton Under Lyne - 17th November 2017

Dad inside Scout Tunnel, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The final stretch awaits us for us to walk from Greenfield to Ashton Under Lyne.  My Dad chose to drive on this occasion as we had errands to do earlier that morning and the car will save us the time that we would have needed to travel by train.  Yes it only took us approximately 30-40 minutes of so from Leeds, via the M62, to reach Saddleworth and this enabled us to do the walk in daylight.

We arranged with The Kingfisher Pub to park the car in its car park as we were going to have dinner there after our walk.  We did however popped in first to warm up and have a coffee as we decided not to take prolonged breaks along the seven mile or so stretch to Ashton.

After our coffees we embarked on the walk; I admired the autumn colours of the trees that lined up the canal at the beginning (and also between Mossley and Scout Green) and it was good to descend down the canal than ascend for a change.  We passed through Mossley, Scount Green (including the tunnel), the power stations (old and new) of Heyrod and Millbrook and eventually reached Stalybridge.

We stopped briefly in Stalybridge and had a sit down by the canal.  This part of town was once an unwelcoming wasteland but now welcoming since regenerated  following the canal's restoration.   I noticed surrounding new development including flats and offices and the planners are keen to make Armentieres Square even more appealing. It's certainly a nice part of the town centre. 

The canal continues towards Ashton, firstly passing Staley Wharf and crossing the River Tame.  This remaining stretch up to the first lock is rather insalubrious with old derelict buildings and litter everywhere.  It is certainly a stretch on the HNC I was glad to have someone to walk with and more so leaving the Ashton canal at the ASDA Superstore!

We sought safety inside ASDA and we used the facilities and had a coffee there.   We walked up Cavendish Street towards the town centre for our bus back to Greenfield.  We waited a bit at the bus station but the 350 bus eventually took us back and we then had a lovely celebratory meal at The Kingfisher and drove for home afterwards.

Seeing both the welcome signs for the Huddersfield and Ashton Canals at the end made completing the canal worthwhile! We enjoyed our adventures on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and now look forward to new adventures on a new canal soon!

A snowy Huddersfield Narrow Canal - 9th December 2017

Had a winter wonderland adventure doing a return walk from Greenfield to Diggle.  Stopped at Grandpa Greene's for some delicious soup and called at Station Brew for some mulled wine.  The snow and cold weather didn't deter the ale trailers!