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The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Gargrave

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Our view

"Following the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Gargrave."

Walk directions

Walk down the lane past Gargrave Village Hall. At the main road (A65) turn right, cross the road and go left into Church Street and over the bridge. Pass the church on your left. Just past Church Close House on your right, turn right, following a Pennine Way sign. Go over a stone stile in the wall on your left.

Turn right along the wall, following the Pennine Way path, which is partly paved here. Go ahead across the field to a waymarked gate, then half left to another gate. Walk up the field, left of power lines, to a gate in the top left corner, that leads to a rough sunken lane.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths and tracks, then canal tow path, 2 stiles

Landscape - Farmland and canalside

Dog friendliness - Dogs should be on lead, except on the canal bank

Parking - Car park near Village Hall, signed from A65

Toilets en route - By bridge in Gargrave

Walks in North Yorkshire

About the walk

Gargrave has long been a stopping-off point for travellers from the cities of West Yorkshire on their way to the coast at Morecambe or to the Lake District. These days, most of them arrive along the A65 from Skipton, the route formerly taken by horse-drawn coaches. There is still evidence of the... village's importance as a coaching centre, especially at the Old Swan Inn. Its position beside the River Aire had also proved important when 18th- and 19th-century surveyors were seeking westward routes for other methods of transport. The walk crosses the railway not long after leaving Gargrave; this is the route that, not far west, becomes the famous Settle–to–Carlisle line. And you will return to the village beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Earlier Settlers, Mills and Bandages Although Gargrave is today mostly a 19th-century settlement, there is evidence that the area has been in occupation much longer. The site of a Roman villa has been identified nearby, while on West Street excavation has found the remains of a moated homestead dating from the 13th century, with a smithy and a lime pit, that was reused in the 15th century. By the 18th century there were cotton mills in Gargrave, served by the canal, and weavers were engaged in producing cloth for the clothing industry. Their expertise resulted in the establishment here of one of the village's biggest employers, Johnson and Johnson Medical, now Systagenix, where they found workers who could undertake the fine weaving that was needed to produce their bandages. Canal Digging In October 1774 the eastern arm of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, snaking its way westwards from Leeds, reached Gargrave. The route, surveyed by John Longbotham and approved by the great canal-builder James Brindley, had been agreed in 1770. Work began at both the Liverpool and the Leeds ends, but there were, inevitably, arguments between the separate committees in Yorkshire and Lancashire about both the route and the finances. It was not until 1810 that the canal opened across the Pennines allowing barges to go from Leeds to Blackburn, and only in 1816 was the full distance of 127 miles (204km) open to Liverpool. Gargrave benefited not only from the access it gave the village to the raw materials for the cotton mills and the chance to export its cloth, but also as a stopping place for the bargees. The walk joins the canal near the lowest of the six locks at Bank Newton, where the canal begins a serpentine course to gain height as it starts its trans-Pennine journey. Near the lock is the former canal company boatyard where boats for maintaining the canal were built. As you walk along the tow path you will cross the Priest Holme Aqueduct, where the canal is carried over the River Aire.

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About the area

North Yorkshire, with its two National Parks and two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is England’s largest county and one of the most rural. This is prime walking country, from the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors to the limestone country that is so typical of the Yorkshire Dales – a place of contrasts and discoveries, of history and legend.

Nearby places to stay

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Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.5 miles (5.7kms)

Ascent:

279ft (85m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Gargrave

Recommended by

Our view

"Following the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Gargrave."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3.5 miles (5.7kms)

Ascent:

279ft (85m)

Walk directions

1 of 7

2 of 7

Turn left over a railway bridge, then follow the track up a small hill. Cross a cattle grid, then leave the track to cross a stile on the left into a field. Take a faint path half right then join a track, making for a signpost on the skyline.

3 of 7

At the post, turn right to the corner of a wire fence, then slant down onto a grassy ramp to reach a waymarked gate in a crossing fence. Go ahead across the field to a pair of gates. Take the waymarked left-hand one and continue ahead, at first following a fence and line of trees. Continue straight ahead to meet a gate across a track.

4 of 7

Go through the gate and follow the track down to go through another gate to the canal by Bank Newton Locks. Cross the bridge and turn right along the tow path. Where the tow path runs out, join the lane which runs alongside the canal.

5 of 7

Go ahead along the lane, cross the bridge over the canal then turn right through a gate down a spiral path to go under the bridge and continue along the tow path. Pass over a small aqueduct over the river, then under a railway bridge. Continue past Stegneck Lock and Scarland Lock to reach Anchor Lock.

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Beyond the lock, opposite the Anchor Inn, go under the road bridge and continue along the tow path to reach Bridge 170, at Higherland Lock. Go onto the road by a signpost. Turn right down the road, back to the car park.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths and tracks, then canal tow path, 2 stiles

Landscape - Farmland and canalside

Dog friendliness - Dogs should be on lead, except on the canal bank

Parking - Car park near Village Hall, signed from A65

Toilets en route - By bridge in Gargrave

Walks in North Yorkshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

North Yorkshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Gargrave

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The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Gargrave

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