3 nights to Saltaire

One of the most loved canal boat holidays in Yorkshire

The journey to Saltaire by passing through Kirkstall and Kirkstall Abbey, one of the best preserved Cistercian monasteries in the country, founded over 800 years ago. This has a run of 10 locks consisting of Oddy Double and Spring Gardens which we will guide you through, and Kirkstall Little Lock, Forge and Newlay 3 rises. If you don’t make passage through these locks there is no need for panic as you can stop by Kirkstall Abbey and visit the fantastic Bridge Inn with a glorious beer garden looking out over the River Aire, great food and fantastic ales.

Once through Newlay you are lock-free till after Apperley Bridge with just a few swing bridges to navigate. The perfect moment to relax and enjoy the scenery. As soon as you reach the summit of Newlay 3 rise you are greeted by the Abbey Inn, a brilliant local pub with nice low ceilings and always a fine selection of beers. If you manage to resist the allure of the Abbey Inn, you will pass through 2 swing bridges and be welcomed by the village of Rodley and The Rodley Barge pub. Rodley is a great place to stop and explore and offers a surprising amount for a small place. The Rodley Barge, Railway Inn and The Owl are all fantastic places to visit but for food the winner in Rodley has to be Ephesus, a delightful Turkish restaurant that’s always a superb meal served with a smile.

A short but leisurely 1hr cruise through the woods and open fields of Calverley will bring you to Apperley Bridge. A nice canal-side mooring by the marina, some supermarkets a short walk away and obviously… another selection of pubs. Across the playing field you have The George and Dragon, venture a further 5-minute walk across the river and you will find The Stansfield Arms, Both of these establishments offer lovely food and drink with a beer garden to enjoy them. The opposite direction, a short distance up the hill will bring you to The Dog and Gun, the last I checked they had Tetley’s on cask which is a favourite of mine.

If you have managed to skip one or two of these places of interest another 5 locks and a handful of swing bridges onwards consisting of Dobson Double and Field 3 rise Locks you will find yourself in Shipley/Saltaire. The “/” is there as these two places are right next door to each other. In Saltaire, you will find all the beautiful architecture this world heritage site has to offer, as well as the well-appointed park next to the river Aire that gave the area one-half of its name. As for food and drink you are spoilt for choice. Salt Brewery and Saltaire Brewery are based here, and each has wonderful premises to show off their craft, but you also have Fannys Ales house and The Boathouse that are well worth a visit. A hotspot for artists Saltaire offers a rich variety of the arts, all centered around the world-renowned Salt’s Mill.

All of this should give you an indulgent, scenic and active 3-night stay on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Fancy something longer? Try one of our wonderful 10/11 day canal boat holidays to Hebden Bridge.

View the route online at Open Canal Maps or on Google Maps.