Huddersfield Tourist Information Centre

Kirklees in Pennine Yorkshire

Kirklees' peaceful cruising waterways are ideal for boating, walking and angling

A trip down the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Huddersfield Narrow Canal begins in Huddersfield and continues west, through the villages in the Colne Valley, before entering a tunnel under the Pennines and emerging in Lancashire.

Huddersfield is the starting point for your journey - a bustling university town. Take time for some retail therapy at high street stores, markets and Victorian arcades and admire some of the 1,660 listed buildings, including the railway station which was once described as "a stately home with trains running through it".

Enjoy the award winning festivals and events hosted by the town, including the world famous Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in November and the Food and Drink Festival in August.

Performances of dance, drama and comedy can be caught throughout the year as well as live music nights in the huge variety of bars, pubs and clubs. Log on to www.kirklees.gov.uk/events to find out more.

Aspley Basin is the starting point of the canal and is home to the oldest canal warehouse in the north of England, a marina and popular canal-side restaurant and pub. From here, begin the 7 mile journey along the Colne Valley - an area of impressive industrial architecture, beautiful countryside and quaint villages.

Golcar, set on the hillside overlooking the valley, has a fine collection of weavers' cottages and is home to the Colne Valley Museum, telling the history of textile in the area.

Slaithwaite is the only canal side village in the UK, is dominated by magnificent mill buildings, as well as a Georgian Church and the nearby 16th century Slaithwaite Hall. The Moonraker Floating Tea Rooms at Slaithwaite provide a welcome break en route to admire this village which also features in the TV series Where the Heart Is.

Holmfirth, famous home of Last of the Summer Wine, is a short bus journey away. Visit Sid's Café, Nora Batty's Steps and Compo's former home, which now houses a Summer Wine exhibition. The village is also home to a growing collection of art and craft galleries.

Marsden, at the end of the valley has strong associations with the Luddite movement is the starting point of the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain - the Standedge Tunnel. Marsden is also home to a 5000 acre National Trust Estate and familiar scenes from the TV drama Where The Heart Is.

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Other waterways

The Calder and Hebble Navigation is a broad gauge canal running through the north of the district, close to Mirfield and into Dewsbury at Saville Town Basin. Travelling west along the Calder and Hebble will take you to Sowerby Bridge, while travelling east will take you to Wakefield. The Calder and Hebble also links to the Yorkshire Waterways.

The Huddersfield Broad Canal - This three mile waterway links the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (at Aspley Basin) to the Calder and Hebble (at Cooper Bridge).

Boating

Narrowboats can be hired from Shepley Bridge Marina on the Calder and Hebble Navigation, just four hours cruise to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Fishing

Kirklees' waterways present excellent opportunities for angling. Fishing for a wide range of coarse fish is

administered by local angling clubs. Contact Kirklees Information Point on 01484 221963 for details of clubs.

Walking in Kirklees

Whether you prefer a gentle ramble or a strenuous walk, you are never far from peaceful countryside and far-reaching views in Kirklees: from the moors and peaks of south Kirklees, to steep-sided valleys, rolling fields and woodland in the rest of the area.

Maps, free leaflets and walking guides are all available from our Tourist Information Centres.

Long trails: Part of the famous Pennine Way passes above Marsden while the Kirklees Way provides a challenging

72 mile (115Km) route that circles the district.

Circular walks: The Colne Valley Circular Walk (12 miles) and the Holme Valley Circular Walk (24 miles) are two of Kirklees' most popular walking routes.

Walks in north Kirklees: The Spen Valley Heritage Trail and the Brontë Way allow you to discover the area's scenery and history.

Places to stroll and picnic: The Holme Valley and Wessenden valleys in the south and west of Kirklees are studded with reservoirs, offering an escape from it all.

For commanding views: A walk around Huddersfield's famous landmark Victoria Tower, on Castle Hill, near Almondbury.

Guided walks: An extensive programme of walks to suit all levels are offered throughout the year.

Cycling in Kirklees

Kirklees' quiet country lanes, purpose built cycle ways and challenging terrain offer something for every cyclist. The West Yorkshire Cycle Way drops down into the Colne and Holme valleys before moving on to the more gentle countryside of Denby Dale.

The Kirklees Eastern Riding Route's 30 mile figure-of-eight route offers a gentle cycle to the north and more challenging terrain in the south.

The Spen Valley Greenway at Cleckheaton lets cyclists enjoy traffic-free rides.

Trans-Pennine Trail and route 66 of the Pennine Cycleway are for cyclists seeking steeper climbs with panoramic views and thrilling descents.

We offer:

• Visitor centre

Services for your boat

• Chandlery