History of the Pocklington Canal

In the late 18th century, prosperous local farmers sought more effective means of transporting their goods to the fast-growing towns of West Yorkshire.

The Pocklington is one of the few canals in Britain which were completed for less than the original estimated cost, costing only £32,695. Coal, lime, fertiliser and industrial goods were carried to Pocklington, and agricultural produce was sent out to the West Riding.

During the middle part of the last century the canal fell into disuse and became unnavigable. Despite plans in the 1950s to turn it into a dumping ground for chalk sludge, the canal survived. The combined efforts of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society and British Waterways have restored navigation on the waterway as far as Melbourne.