Dimensions
The official maximum dimensions for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal are:
length 70' 0" (21.3m), beam 6' 10" (2m), headroom 6' 2" (1.8m), draught 3' 6" (1m).
Craft with a beam over 6' 10", such as some historic boats, have experienced difficulty getting through locks in Uppermill and in the Marsden flight.
The official maximum dimensions for the Huddersfield Broad Canal are:
length 57' 6" (17.5m), beam 14' 2" (4.3m), headroom 9' 6" (2.8m), draught 2' 6" (0.7m).
Narrowboats up to 60' in length can pass through the locks on the Huddersfield Broad Canal at an angle with care.
Locks
There are 74 narrow locks on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, each with a fall of around 10 feet.
The locks are numbered from each end, with the letter w or e indicating west side or east side. On the west side, between Ashton and Diggle, the locks are numbered 1w to 32w. On the east side, between Huddersfield and Marsden, the locks are numbered 1e to 42e.
Boaters require an "anti-vandal" handcuff key to use paddles on many of the locks.
A windlass, which is required for all paddles, is also required to operate hydraulic tail gates at Locks 1w and 2w, Ashton, a mechanical tail gate at Lock 21w. Uppermill, and a guillotine gate at Lock 24e, Slaithwaite.
There is no towpath access to Lock 2e in Huddersfield. Crew members should get on their boat when leaving Lock 1e or Lock 3e.
There are 9 broad locks on the Huddersfield Broad Canal, each with a fall of around 6 feet.
Tunnels
Scout Tunnel, between Stalybridge and Mossley, is 615 feet (188m) long and has a towpath.
Standedge Tunnel, between Diggle and Marsden, is 3.24 miles (5210m) long and has no towpath. Boats now pass through under their own power [more information here]. Advance booking is required - phone 0113 281 6860.
See this page for more information about Standedge Tunnel.
Sellers Tunnel, below Lock 3e, Huddersfield, is 350yards (320m) long and has no towpath.
Bates Tunnel, below Lock 2e, Huddersfield, is 95 yards (85m) long and has no towpath.
Bridges
On the Huddersfield Narrow Canal there are no swing bridges or lift bridges.
On the Huddersfield Broad Canal there is one lift bridge, bridge 17, Turnbridge (or Locomotive Bridge). Electrically powered requiring BW key.
Distances
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is approximately 20 miles long. However, because of the 74 locks and the timing of the tunnel passages, it takes several days to cover this distance. Most boaters take around 4 or 5 days to complete the canal.
The Huddersfield Broad Canal is approximately 4 miles long and can usually be completed in 3 to 4 hours.
Facilities
The following facilities are available for boaters using the Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals:
- Huddersfield - Aspley Basin: water, elsan disposal, pump-out, toilet, shower
- Golcar - at Holme Mill, bridge 35: pump-out, water
- Slaithwaite - below Lock 22e: pump-out, water
- Slaithwaite - above Lock 22e: toilet, shower
- Marsden - tunnel entrance: water,
- Diggle - tunnel entrance: water,
- Dobcross - Wool Road, below Lock 24w: water
- Uppermill - Clogger Knoll Bridge no. 77: water
- Millbrook - above Lock 8w: water, elsan disposal, pump-out, toilet, shower
Shops
There are a number of supermarkets and shops that are convenient for users of the Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals:
- Huddersfield - Sainsburys alongside the Broad Canal near Aspley Basin.
- Milnsbridge - Kwik Save/Somerfield 0.25 miles north west of Lock 9e.
- Slathwaite - small Co-op store adjacent to Lock 22e.
- Marsden - small Co-op store in Peel Street, 0.25 miles from Lock 42e.
- Uppermill - small Co-op store 0.1 miles from Lock 21w.
- Uppermill - Spar convenience store 0.25 miles from Lock 21w.
- Mossley - Raja Brothers convenience store 0.1 miles east of Bridge 91.
- Stalybridge - large 24-hour Tesco alongside the canal
- Stalybridge - Somerfield adjacent to Lock 5w.
- Ashton - 24-hour Asda store across the Ashton Canal
Pubs and Restaurants
There are a number of pubs and restaurants that are convenient for users of the Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals:
- Huddersfield - wide range of pubs, cafés and restaurants, including The Aspley alongside the Huddersfield Broad Canal at Aspley Basin
- Linthwaite - Sair Inn, 0.5 miles south of Lock 17e up steep hill.
- Slaithwaite - several pubs, restaurants and cafes near canal.
- Marsden - several pubs in town, including Station Hotel near Lock 42e and Riverhead Brewery in Peel Street.
- Tunnel End - Tunnel End Inn, 0.1 miles from tunnel entrance.
- Diggle - Diggle Hotel, 0.1 miles from tunnel entrance.
- Dobcross - Navigation Inn, 0.1 miles from Lock 24w.
- Uppermill - several pubs, cafés and restaurants near canal.
- Roaches - Roaches Lock pub next to Lock 15w, Tollemach Arms near Lock 16w, Italian restaurant between Locks 16w and 15w.
- Mossley - several pubs, cafés and Indian restaurants on Manchester Road, 0.25 miles west of Bridge 91.
- Stalybridge - several pubs restaurants and cafes in town, including Millpond alongside Lock 6w, Wetherspoons on Grosvenor Street and the Station Buffet 0.5 miles from canal.
- Ashton - wide range of pubs and restaurants.
Visitor Moorings
- Huddersfield - Broad Canal outside and opposite Sainsburys.
- Slaithwaite - above Lock 21e.
- Marsden - above Lock 42e.
- Dobcross - Wool Road, below Lock 24w.
- Uppermill - above Lock 21w.
- Mossley - Roaches, below Lock 15w.
- Stalybridge - outside and opposite Tesco.
- Stalybridge - above Lock 6w.
- Stalybridge - above Lock 5w.
Slipways
Public slipways - phone BW on 01942 405700 to arrange for gates to be unlocked.
- Dobcross - Wool Road car park
- Slaithwaite - above Lock 24e
Marina slipway - phone 01484 514123.
- Huddersfield - Aspley Basin