Calder & Hebble Navigation and Rochdale Canal junction

The Rochdale Canal, Calder & Hebble navigations combined with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal form the Pennine Canals. These canals span across the rolling countryside from the coastline and connect Northern Cities via the waterways. The Rochdale Canal navigation was built after the Calder & Hebble, and formed at the historic basin at Sowerby Bridge, which is where our marina is situated.

Sowerby Bridge hire boat
hire boat at Sowerby Bridge

Cruising east from the basin on the Rochdale Canal for a weekend boating holiday you can reach Hebden Bridge and Todmorden before turning your hire boat around to return to the marina. To reach these towns you can expect to experience a tunnel navigation followed by operating the deepest locks in the country, Tuel Lane Lock. After this exciting descent, the canal gradually leads you up through the fields and past cobbled houses of Hebden Bridge. Mooring here you can explore Hebden by foot, originally a small mill town, which produced woollen goods. The town is full of literary history populated by those looking for artist inspiration within the Yorkshire Pennine views. Departing the mill town you and your hire boat will wind through the forests and countryside views to Todmorden, situated in a connection of three deep valleys. The area is perfect for trekking, bird watching and horse riding. Todmorden is full of impressive Victorian architecture and a wealth of independent shops.

For the longer holidays, on the return trip why not continue East past the Sowerby Bridge marina onto the Calder and Hebble. This will take to you Brighouse with plentiful pubs for the afternoon and mooring spaces in the town, this in an ideal place to stop for an afternoon meal and relax by the canal side.

For experienced and active hirers, there is a one way option on selected boats from Sowerby Bridge to Foulridge via Leeds on a one week holiday or Manchester for a two week holiday. Transfers will be arranged upon your arrival to return you to your car following your one way adventure!

Search for boating holidays:

Departing between which dates?
For how long?

Click to search for all our Canal Boat Hire or to search for motor cruisers available for Norfolk Broads boat holidays.

To speak directly to one of our friendly team at Waterways Holidays Ltd, call us on 01252 796400, open 7 days a week.