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Stanley Ferry, 11 February


Visitors will be able to take a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the historic lock gate workshops on the Aire & Calder Navigation for the second time, following an extremely popular first year. So, if you missed out here’s your second chance to check out the impressive woodworking workshop where thousands of lock gates have been put together over the years.

Stanley Ferry Workshop, near Wakefield, is one of the hubs of the nation's waterways, the place where lock gates are carefully refurbished and new ones crafted. Inside its doors over 70 lock gates are built every year which are then taken and used across the county on the nation’s network of canals.

See a video of lock gates being hand-crafted at Stanley Ferry workshop.

Tom Puddings

Craftsmanship rules at Stanley Ferry Workshop and originally its workshops were used to manufacture the famous Tom Puddings, the freight train of the waterways. The Wheldale boat and three Tom Puddings will also be making a special guest appearance - moored up on the Aire & Calder Navigation within the workshop grounds. There will be a chance to chat with the Stanley Ferry Workshop Team and ask them questions about lock gate manufacturing.

Janet Carter, workshop manager commented: “Last year’s event was so popular we felt we should open up the workshop again in order to give more people the chance to come and take a peek into the workshops. It’s satisfying to give people a chance to see the scale of the work we do to ensure that the waterways are preserved for today’s users and future generations, as well as gain an appreciation for the magnificent industrial heritage in their local area.”

Time: 9-4pm (last entry to the workshops strictly at 3pm). The workshops will be open to the public for self-guided tours.
Booking: Not required.
Parking: Free parking is available at the neighbouring pub, The Stanley Ferry, in the top car park (please follow the instruction of the marshals). Around 10-15 spaces are also available directly within the workshop site on a first come, first served basis. A designated disabled parking area for blue badge holders is also available within the workshop car park.

10 February 2012 Please note the Tom Puddings are no longer able to join us due to the recent cold weather and icy canal conditions - apologies for any inconvenience caused.


British Waterways’ Canal Open Days 2011/12 are sponsored by May Gurney. Find out more about the company by visiting www.maygurney.co.uk/

Last updated: 10/02/2012

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