Philip Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 (edited) I realise there have probably been a thousand topics of the same theme over the decades, but to ask again in the present; which is your favourite canal and why? Edited December 28, 2019 by Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dreamer Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 Much slated as being boring, by many, but Severn never disappoints. I always wonder at the majesty of cruising this powerful volume of water, particularly coming downstream, through Worcester bridge, past Glovers Needle and then the cathedral. The only shame of it, is that the city council seem blind to the possibilities of their waterfront, both on the river and the W&B, and should have taken a lesson from Gloucester! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 The Wardle Canal, its too short for anyone to go too fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggsy Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 Love the river witham ( clad we are not on it right now though ) you see plenty of wild life quite nice easy cruising and no locks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, The Dreamer said: Much slated as being boring, by many, but Severn never disappoints. I always wonder at the majesty of cruising this powerful volume of water, particularly coming downstream, through Worcester bridge, past Glovers Needle and then the cathedral. The only shame of it, is that the city council seem blind to the possibilities of their waterfront, both on the river and the W&B, and should have taken a lesson from Gloucester! Plus the chance to explore the racecourse and cricket ground by boat when it is in flood. 10 minutes ago, Boater Sam said: The Wardle Canal, its too short for anyone to go too fast. And the most heavily locked canal in the UK, which slows people down. 1 lock and 154' long, so 34 locks per mile. The Huddersfield Narrow is easy in comparison at only 3.7 locks per mile. ? My favourite is the Caldon. Jen Edited December 28, 2019 by Jen-in-Wellies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 HNC... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pluto Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 In my mind, I always compare canal views with this one at Bank Newton. This photo was taken in 1990, and it is surprising to see today how much the view has been obscured by vegetation growth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 41 minutes ago, Pluto said: In my mind, I always compare canal views with this one at Bank Newton. This photo was taken in 1990, and it is surprising to see today how much the view has been obscured by vegetation growth. One of my favourites too, although I am biased, being born in Thornton in Craven. I was working at Bank Newton in 1990, just above lock 37, and this stretch of the L&L vies with my other top favourite - the Macclesfield and Upper Peak Forest. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 The Thames - with an army of flunkies to work the locks for you You get a free Blessing at one lock. Plenty of moorings as the liveaboards can't be bothered to walk for to the bus T' Oxford canal is No:2 for us, but gettinbg full of strange folks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 (edited) Rochdale from Sowerby Bridge to Summit. Hard work but stunning scenery. Edited December 28, 2019 by Ray T 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearley Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 34 minutes ago, howardang said: One of my favourites too, although I am biased, being born in Thornton in Craven. I was working at Bank Newton in 1990, just above lock 37, and this stretch of the L&L vies with my other top favourite - the Macclesfield and Upper Peak Forest. Howard Do you recall the hire company that used to be based there whose name I can't remember? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, pearley said: Do you recall the hire company that used to be based there whose name I can't remember? Yes, it was IML (Inland Marine Leisure). They had a base at Bank Newton, and also had marinas at Anderton and Hillmorton and Rugby Boatbuilders also at Hillmorton. I worked for a sister Company of IML, Hebridean Island Cruises, who were also based in the same office for a while. IML eventually sold the canal based company to Alvechurch, now called ABC. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 13 minutes ago, howardang said: Yes, it was IML (Inland Marine Leisure). They had a base at Bank Newton, and also had marinas at Anderton and Hillmorton and Rugby Boatbuilders also at Hillmorton. I worked for a sister Company of IML, Hebridean Island Cruises, who were also based in the same office for a while. IML eventually sold the canal based company to Alvechurch, now called ABC. Howard When I first introduced Mrs Hound to the delights of the canals it was with IML from Anderson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearley Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 (edited) 18 minutes ago, howardang said: Yes, it was IML (Inland Marine Leisure). They had a base at Bank Newton, and also had marinas at Anderton and Hillmorton and Rugby Boatbuilders also at Hillmorton. I worked for a sister Company of IML, Hebridean Island Cruises, who were also based in the same office for a while. IML eventually sold the canal based company to Alvechurch, now called ABC. Howard Our first hire was 1979 from Anderton, the base now occupied by ABC. Think it was run by a company called Canal Craft then. All the boats were named after painters, including the pumpout boat. Two Loos Lautrec. It was 1981 we hired from Coles Morton at Wigan and first came through Bank Newton. Next time we came through was 1994 on a hire boat from Selby. Don't think IML was there then but my memory not always correct. Anyway, going back to the original post I always liked the Calder & Hebble because of the variety but found it hard work this year. Hardly a lock with a full complement of working paddle gear. Edited December 28, 2019 by pearley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BilgePump Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 Upper Peak, under hour from home, solo so no locks is bonus, rural, known it for years. No widebeams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 8 hours ago, Philip said: I realise there have probably been a thousand topics of the same theme over the decades, but to ask again in the present; which is your favourite canal and why? I have not come across one that has made me say "I never want to do that again". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 2 hours ago, BilgePump said: Upper Peak, under hour from home, solo so no locks is bonus, rural, known it for years. No widebeams. How does that work then? Is there nowhere for them to be craned in?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momac Posted December 28, 2019 Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 6 hours ago, luggsy said: Love the river witham ( clad we are not on it right now though ) you see plenty of wild life quite nice easy cruising and no locks There are three locks on the navigable River Witham. Stamp End Lock , Bardney Lock , Boston Grand Sluice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggsy Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 4 hours ago, MartynG said: There are three locks on the navigable River Witham. Stamp End Lock , Bardney Lock , Boston Grand Sluice Stamp end lock lets you on to the river don't have to go trough boston grand sluice so only 1 lock really , also you are forgetting torksay if you want to count that as well , for the length of river what's 1 lock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave123 Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 13 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said: How does that work then? Is there nowhere for them to be craned in?? The numerous swing and lift bridges create pinch points... I really like the Trent & Mersey for its sheer variety. Cities, towns, villages, rural isolation. Wide locks, narrow locks, tunnels, long lock free stretches...the list goes on! Also easy to moor almost anywhere on it compared to the K&A or Shroppie for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 15 hours ago, ditchcrawler said: I have not come across one that has made me say "I never want to do that again". Hmm - Grand Union in and around London Eastern end of the K&A... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momac Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 10 hours ago, luggsy said: Stamp end lock lets you on to the river don't have to go trough boston grand sluice so only 1 lock really , also you are forgetting torksay if you want to count that as well , for the length of river what's 1 lock Torksey lock is not on the River Witham . It connects the Fossdyke Navigation to the River Trent . The River Witham rises near Grantham and flows towards Lincoln and into and out of Brayford Pool . The Witham above Brayford pool is not navigable except perhaps for a short distance in a dinghy or a canoe . The watercourse exiting Brayford Pool and travelling downstream under The Glory Hole is The River Witham. Therefore Stamp End Lock is on the River Witham and not at the beginning of the river. The River Witham continues after Boston Grand Sluice and is navigable even in in narrowboat. Therefore if including Bardney Lock that's three locks on the River Witham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pluto Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 20 hours ago, howardang said: Yes, it was IML (Inland Marine Leisure). They had a base at Bank Newton, and also had marinas at Anderton and Hillmorton and Rugby Boatbuilders also at Hillmorton. I worked for a sister Company of IML, Hebridean Island Cruises, who were also based in the same office for a while. IML eventually sold the canal based company to Alvechurch, now called ABC. Howard This was the base in 1979; the off side above is now full of trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Riley Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 The Rochdale is as stunning as any, apart from Newton Heath and parts of Rochdale, certainly from Littleborough to Sowerby. I am biased, with a mooring one lock down from Summit pound. As for the state of the locks and paddles, I agree, summat wrong with almost every lock. But we mustn't grumble, with the new towpath upgrade now between Hebden and Tod, life is better BY water, even if not ON it. And those nice new shiny blue signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted December 29, 2019 Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Thames is pretty good but a bit too tidy and wealthy (and expensive) after a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now