Bingley Five-Rise
Yorkshire
An 18th century engineering masterpiece, these five locks operate as a 'staircase' flight - in which the lower gate of one lock forms the upper gate of the next. When completed in 1774, thousands gathered to watch the first boats make the 60 foot descent. Now, over 200 years later, the flight is still in daily use providing access to 16 miles of lock-free cruising on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the glorious scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.
The staircase locks are slow to operate since all five must be 'set' before beginning passage. For a journey upwards, the bottom lock must be empty, with all the others full: the reverse is the case for a boat descending. It can take up to 90 minutes for a boat to work through the flight.
Caf and store are open from April to September 10.30-17.00. Weekend opening only from October to March.
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