Blackburn & Burnley

[Ian B]

Up on the Leeds Liverpool soon, Passage from Wigan to Leeds,

 

I been told that I should not stop in either town over night (up

 

very early and get through ). Is this feasible or correct,where

 

should I stop (pub would be nice )

[Hairy-Neil]

We tied up at Burnley for a night last summer. There are secure off side moorings at the BW yard slightly to the west of the town, along with first class showers, toilets and elsan disposal facilities. BW key gets you out to the road.

 

Pub wise, we used the CAMRA, Good Beer Guide listed, Gannow Wharf Hotel. (About 1/2 mile walk) First impressions on appearance alone were that it was a dive and we would move on. However it soon turned into one of the most enjoyable nights out on the whole trip.

 

 

Think the BW yard moorings are on Lowerhouse Lane.

 

The Gannow Hotel is near the arrow. The moorings are at the next bridge to the west.

 

clicky

[RichardH]

I have never ever had a problem nor have any of our crews.

 

For Blackburn we enjoy the moorings at Riley Green about 2 miles from the bottom lock, we have also stayed overnight at the transhipment warehouse at Eanam Wharf with no probs.

 

For Burnley, our fave mooring is by Bridge 115. After Burnley heading east you can moor near the new Reedley Marina (Barden Mill)

 

Obvious times to avoid are hot sunny afternoons in school hols but other than that you should be fine.

[Tiny]

Some years back there was no problems in Leeds. The last time (3 years back) they made us wait in the Basin by the station, then gave us a police escort and BW at every lock to get us out of Leeds to Apperley Bridge as 100 bandits controlled the area. Next day further up we were told by a locky that in the night two locks had been trashed in the Bandit area in retaliation to the convoy. We were amazed how this area which was so nice is now so nasty. Mind you on the last occassion to that, although it was in term time , one lock was full of swimmers - mainly kids who were not happy to see us. There was a lockky there but he was hiding as a week before his mate had been beaten up. We got through but later heard in the event of lots of swimmers BW might shut the lock to boats!

 

Whether this is the current situation we don't know - try the local area office.

 

 

 

[DaveR]

Going through Leeds do not stop until on the otherside of Rodley. The little darlings can make life unpleasant.

 

The Bensham was broken into just the otherside of Saltaire, most unusual. Tried to come in though the front doors but failed because of the bolts inside. So pranged the padlock off the back door and spent the night. Left the booze, food etc alone. Took one hiking boot (left) and left a very nice screw driver and a large screwdriver which has obviously been used as a multipurpose beast (wedge / cold chisel).

 

All things taken in a lovely stretch of canal - don't be put off.

[oldade]

Hi

A good place to stop after the wigan flight is at the top of Johnsons hillock.

Good pub TOP LOCK in won this years localCAMARA best pub prize.

Live music thursday night.

48 hour moorings on the off side just through the top lock.

Shower block with water tap and pump out on the tow path side.

Boat yard just in front of 48 hour morrings. ( they are a nice frendly bunch)

An early start from theyer will get you through Burnley.

Just after the top lock in Blackburn next to the tow path is an ASDA.

After you leave Blackburn at Clayton theyer is a couple of swing bridges that are on the off side you will need your BW key and Windless for these.

After that you go over the M65 motorway. ( new concrete bridge)

All the locks have the anti vandel locks on so you will need your handcuff key for those.

You have nothing to worry about on this strech of canal.

Its not as bad as you may have heard.

What is you boat called ?

So I can keep a look out for you.

I hope this helps.

 

ADE

[twocvbloke]

There's Barrowford visitor moorings, 48hr I believe, that's a nice out-of-town area, but it is quite exposed to wind if the weather's bad, but it's still a nice place, though the nearest pub that I'm aware of is a fair walk away from the canal, though I haven't been Barrowford way looking for pubs, so you never know...

 

Or there's Salterforth, there's a good pub there, the Anchor Inn, with it's special attraction, the old cellar filled with stalagmites and Stalactites...

[Hairy-Neil]

Or there's Salterforth, there's a good pub there, the Anchor Inn, with it's special attraction, the old cellar filled with stalagmites and Stalactites...

 

We ate there, excellent. Another CAMRA, Good Beer Guide Listing.

[JohnEW2912]

From Wigan the best places to stop overnight are: -

 

Adlington - good visitor moorings on the off side and a large number of pubs and a few restaurants. Spinners Arms the pick of the pubs but no food.

Wheelton - below Johnson's Hillock locks. A formula pub by the canal and a decent restaurant at the Red Cat up the road.

Wheelton - top of the locks. Visitor moorings on the off side above the top lock. Make sure that you check there's space before you go up the lock as it's often full. If it is full you can moor below the lock. Top Lock an excellent choice for beers right by you. A better choice for food andn also excellent beers is the Dressers Arms but it's a 20 minute walk.

Riley Green - always plenty of space to moor. You can moor outside the Boatyard Inn but a better choice is the Royal Oak 10 minutes walk up the hill.

Blackburn - only spent one overnight there at Eanam wharf, which was fine.

Rishton - visitor moorings fine. We have left the boat to its own devices for 24 hours here with no problems. Range of pubs and restaurants including the very simple Rialto Italian next to the canal bridge - BYO beer or wine and you could be in Venice (if you drink enough).

Beyond Clayton-le-Moors - excellent rural overnight stop just past pipe bridge 115A, with as fine a view as you will find anywhere.

Hapton - moorings by the centre of the village.

Rose Grove - BW yard with full facilities on the off side - very secure.

Burnley - outside the Inn on the Wharf on bridge 130B. Safe with a decent pub outside and easy access to the town centre including a large Tesco.

Barrowford - below the bottom lock, on either side of the canal. A bit of motorway hum from the M65, which you are never very far from from Riley Green to here.

Barrowford - above the locks. Nice spot but limited space.

Foulridge - decent moorings at the north end of the tunnel, if a bit gloomy and scruffy. Choice of pubs in the village.

Salterforth - visitor moorings by the Anchor pub.

 

As you would guess we have been up there most years and have yet to have any problems.

[Nine of Hearts]

As a tip, don't mention when you're in one that you've come from, or are going to, the other.