Leeds & Liverpool Canal

This wonderful, historic waterway links Leeds with Liverpool and sees some of the nation's most amazing scenery and feats of engineering along its length.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal spans across the North West and Yorkshire & North East regions, offering 127 miles of walking, boating, wildlife-watching and all-round relaxation.

Built to link the cities of Leeds and Liverpool, no other canal has been established to link two cities that were further apart. Leaving Liverpool, the canal passes through East Lancashire, crossing Pennine countryside and picturesque villages on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, before reaching Leeds.

Walkers love the canal, and thousands of visitors come every year to marvel at the impressive Bingley Five Rise Locks and the historic salt town of Saltaire.

Narrowboat moves through a town with runners on one bank and other boats moored on the towpath

Boating the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Find all you need to know about boating on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Things to do on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

This magnificent canal offers walking, cycling and paddling routes, as well as opportunities to fish.

Looking down a steep flight of staircase locks at the calm canal with an industrial factory and chimney on the horizon.

Walk from Bingley to Saltaire

There's plenty to take in as you walk along this three-mile scenic stretch

Cycle from Reedley Marina to Pendle Heritage Centre

This 10-mile route captures both the town's industrial heritage and the untouched countryside which surrounds it

Liverpool to Goole coast-to-coast canoe trail

Take to the waters and have a go at some or all of the 162-mile trail

Fishing together along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal

Go fishing

Find out all you need to know about fishing along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Places to visit near the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

From fun-filled family days out to quiet time in nature, take a look at the array of places to visit near the L&L.

History of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Discover more about the history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Where does the water come from?
Gargrave to Leeds
The Yorkshire length of the Leeds & Liverpool canal from below Gargrave Locks to Leeds at the beginning of the Aire and Calder Navigation is supplied by feeders - diverted tributaries of the River Aire. Some water also comes from the canal summit, supplied by reservoirs which collect rainwater in the Pennines. The nearest reservoir is Winterburn, from where water is piped eight miles to the canal summit.
Feeders supply the Yorkshire side of the Leeds & Liverpool at Eshton Beck, Eller Beck, Middle Beck (Bradley), Morton Beck, Bingley 5 Rise, and Whitfield Mill.
Gargrave to Wigan
The Lancashire section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Gargrave Locks to Wigan is supplied by reservoirs which collect rainwater in the Pennines. The most northern reservoir is Winterburn, from where water is piped eight miles to the canal summit. Summit water also comes from Upper Foulridge, Lower Foulridge, Slipper Hill and Whitemoor Reservoirs.
Barrowford and Rishton Reservoirs supplement the supply on the southwest side of the summit.
Barrowford Reservoir is filled only with surplus water from the summit pound, ensuring that we don't waste water. Small feeders (diverted streams) flow into the canal and augment the water supply.
Central section
The highest section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal including Gargrave, Bank Newton, Greenberfield and Barrowford locks, is supplied by reservoirs which collect rainwater in the Pennines. The most northern reservoir is Winterburn, from where water is piped eight miles to the canal summit. Summit water also comes from Upper Foulridge, Lower Foulridge, Slipper Hill and Whitemoor Reservoirs.
Reservoirs and feeders are dependent on rainfall to keep them supplying water to the canals all year round. When, from time to time, these resources are not sufficient to support the canal, drought measures e.g. restrictions may need to be applied. Restrictions make water use at locks more efficient, and allow the canal to refill overnight, preventing boats from grounding. The Trust carefully monitors the situation to minimise disruption to boaters and the environment.
Johnson's Hillock
Johnson's Hillock is a flight of seven locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. It is supplied by summit reservoirs in the Pennines. The biggest summit reservoir is Winterburn from which water is piped eight miles to the canal summit above Greenberfield Locks. Upper and Lower Foulridge, Slipper Hill and Whitemoor Reservoirs also feed the canal summit.
Barrowford and Rishton reservoirs supplement the supply on the south-west side of the summit.
Barrowford reservoir is filled only with surplus water from the summit pound, ensuring that we don't waste water.
Many feeders (diverted streams) flow into the canal and augment the water supply.
Leeds Lock
Leeds Lock is the first lock on the Aire & Calder Navigation and is fed by the River Aire (flowing in under Leeds Station) and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. This section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is supplied by feeders - water diverted from tributaries to the River Aire. Sorne water also comes from reservoirs on the canal summit, over 30 miles away.
The navigation allows large commercial craft to reach Goole in the east; Wakefield and Rotherham to the south; York via the River Ouse in the north; Nottingham via the River Trent; and out to sea via the Humber Estuary. The River Aire has a catchment area of 800km² which is 51% of South Yorkshire.
Stanely Locks
Seven reservoirs can supply water to Stanley Locks. Five of these directly supply the Leeds & Liverpool Canal summit. The other two supply the 21 mile pound between Barrowford & Blackburn lock flights.
It is 57 miles as the crow flies from the furthest summit reservoir (Winterburn) to Stanley Locks.
In Wigan Scholes Feeder adds water from the River Douglas. The Leigh Branch is also supplied through its junction here.
At Appley Bridge Lock, Gathurst Feeder adds more water from the River Douglas. The Rufford Branch also takes its water from this pound.
All the lockage water used on the Leigh Branch goes into the Bridgewater Canal. Stanely Locks link the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the Mersey Docks system. The Rufford Branch link the Leeds & Liverpool and Lancaster Canals via the Rivers Douglas and Ribble.