Calder and Hebble Navigation

The Calder and Hebble Navigation is a historic waterway in West Yorkshire, England, running for approximately 21.5 miles (34.6 km) and serving as a link between the River Calder and the industrial heartlands of the West Riding. The navigation connects the Aire and Calder Navigation near Wakefield in the east to the Rochdale Canal at Sowerby Bridge in the west, providing an important transport route for goods during the industrial revolution.

History:

The Calder and Hebble Navigation dates back to 1758, when it was constructed to improve the navigability of the River Calder and facilitate the transport of coal, wool, textiles, and other goods to and from the growing industries in West Yorkshire. The canal was crucial to the development of towns like Halifax, Huddersfield, and Brighouse. It was designed as a “navigation,” which means it followed the natural course of the river where possible but was supplemented by man-made cuts and locks to bypass difficult or shallow sections.

Over the years, the canal has been modified, extended, and improved to accommodate growing trade, particularly with the rise of the textile mills in the 19th century. However, like many British canals, it saw a decline with the advent of railways and road transport. Today, it’s primarily used for leisure boating, walking, and fishing.

Number of Locks:

There are 27 locks on the Calder and Hebble Navigation, with many of them unique in size. The locks on this navigation are narrower than those on other canals, often referred to as “Calder and Hebble locks”, with some only able to accommodate boats of up to 57 feet in length—much shorter than the standard 72-foot narrowboat that fits most British canals. This feature gives the navigation a character distinct from other waterways.

Connected Rivers and Canals:

  • River Calder: The navigation primarily follows the course of the River Calder, with sections where it is canalized to improve passage. The river plays a significant role in defining the route.
  • Aire and Calder Navigation: At Wakefield, the Calder and Hebble Navigation connects to the Aire and Calder Navigation, providing access to Leeds, Goole, and eventually the Humber Estuary, opening the route to the North Sea.
  • Rochdale Canal: At Sowerby Bridge, it links to the Rochdale Canal, which leads across the Pennines, eventually connecting to the Bridgewater Canal and onward to Manchester and the industrial northwest.
  • Huddersfield Broad Canal: Near Cooper Bridge, the Calder and Hebble also connects to the Huddersfield Broad Canal, which leads to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, creating a continuous route across the Pennines.

Interesting Features:

  • Salterhebble Locks: One of the most iconic parts of the navigation, the Salterhebble flight includes some of the deepest and most unusual locks on the system. It features a particularly short lock chamber, requiring careful navigation by boaters.
  • Figure-of-Three Locks: A notable section of the navigation near Horbury, where the canal splits into two distinct channels forming a small island. This area is not only scenic but also historically important due to its complex engineering.
  • Hebble Gauge: A tool used by boaters on the Calder and Hebble to measure whether their boat will fit into the locks. This unique gauge, found near many lock sides, is a reminder of the navigation’s non-standard lock sizes.
  • Wakefield Waterfront: The basin at Wakefield is a lively part of the waterway, where modern development meets history. The waterfront features converted mills, galleries like The Hepworth, and mooring spots for leisure boats.
  • Navigation Bridges: The route includes many historic stone and iron bridges, some of which are listed structures. These bridges, alongside the traditional lock cottages and towpaths, give the Calder and Hebble a nostalgic, timeless quality.

Scenery and Experience:

The navigation winds through a mix of industrial towns, rural landscapes, and woodland areas, offering a varied and scenic journey for those on the water. Passing through towns like Brighouse and Mirfield, you can see remnants of the region’s industrial past, while stretches near Dewsbury and beyond offer tranquil views of the West Yorkshire countryside.

Wikipedia Page

Canal Specification

Max Boat Length57ft 5″ (17.5m)
Max Boat Width14ft 2″ (4.32m)
Number of Locks28
Length21.5 miles

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River/Canal Route Planning

If you are looking for a canal/river route planner, we recommend Canal Plan, we use it to plan our routes, and then once we have a plan our maps are useful to find what else there is on the way

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