{"id":27907,"date":"2023-06-08T07:21:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T05:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=146855"},"modified":"2023-06-08T07:39:38","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T05:39:38","slug":"saltaire-to-bingley-canal-walk-west-yorkshire","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/saltaire-to-bingley-canal-walk-west-yorkshire\/","title":{"rendered":"Saltaire to Bingley canal walk, West Yorkshire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get a taste of the iconic Leeds and Liverpool Canal on this wheelchair-friendly route from Saltaire to Bingley and the Five Rise Locks on the edge of Bradford <\/p>

By Debbie North\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 08 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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This three-mile, stile-free, family walk begins in the West Yorkshire village of Saltaire and follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath to Bingley Five Rise Locks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Britain, running 127 miles from Liverpool, through East Lancashire and the Pennines, skirting along the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, through Bingley and Saltaire to Leeds.<\/div>\n
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Saltaire, the starting point of this walk, is an outstanding and well-preserved example of a mid-19th-century industrial town and is now a World Heritage Site. It is an easy place to reach both by train or car and is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre of Bradford.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Look for otters<\/a>, kingfishers<\/a> and herons<\/a> as you make your way along the canal.<\/div>\n\n
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More accessible routes<\/h4>\n

Discover some of the best wheelchair and pram-friendly walks near you with our guide to 20 of the best accessible trails in the UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\""Senior\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/div>\n

Saltaire to Bingley walk<\/h2>\n
2.9 miles\/4.7km | 1.5 hours | easy | 55m ascent (one way)<\/em><\/div>\n

1. Saltaire<\/h4>\n
From Salts Mill, head down Victoria Street and over the bridge that leads into Roberts Park. Roberts Park is the perfect location for a picnic. It was opened in 1871 to provide leisure facilities for millworkers and their families. Today there is a large play area and skate park, as well as a beautiful bandstand where concerts are staged throughout the summer months.<\/div>\n\n
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Salts Mill<\/h4>\n

Take time to pursue the housing that Titus Salt provided for his workers. The tower of Saltaire United Reform Church and the chimney of New Mill is visible from some distance away. Sir Titus Salt had a vision to create an ideal community, which would hold all his businesses under one roof and that would provide houses for all his workers. After building the mill in 1851, he began to construct the village of Saltaire and soon he moved his entire woollen industry, together with his workforce, out of Bradford to the rural site near Shipley. Today the Salts Mill<\/a> is a place for art, shopping, and dining. Entry is free and a visit is worthwhile to see the permanent Hockney collection.<\/p>\n

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\""Salts\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Salts Mill is a former textile mill in Saltaire\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2. Hirst Woods<\/h4>\n
Follow the towpath towards the leafy area of Hirst Woods. There is a mixture of native trees here including alder, rowan, hazel, and sycamore. Woodland birds can be seen flitting amongst the trees. The nature reserve, which is on the opposite side of the canal from the towpath, is a haven for wildlife. Watch out for the waterfowl, such as mallard and tufted duck. Kingfishers<\/a> are known to reside here too.<\/div>\n\n
In part of the nature reserve is a small pond with a boardwalk over wet, boggy land. A diversion across the nearby swing bridge gives access to the reserve. This is a good location to spot otters<\/a>, who have made their home on the banks of the canal, and watch out too for the heron who patiently waits for the fish to appear.<\/div>\n\n
Join Foxes Afloat as they tell the incredible story of the Bingley Five Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal<\/em><\/div>\n\n