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Huddersfield Broad Canal

3.73 miles (6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy an easy stroll along the towpath of the Huddersfield Broad Canal on this walk in Huddersfield. The canal runs from the town centre of Huddersfield and heads north to Bradley, passing a series of locks and old mill buildings on the way. You start off at Aspley Basin and head past Turnbridge Lift Bridge and Deighton before finishing at Bradley near Brighouse. Near the end of the route you'll pass the historic 18th-century Colne Bridge. The Grade II listed stone-built arch bridge spans the River Colne between Bradley and Kirkheaton.
At Bradley you can pick up the Kirklees Way long distance footpath to extend your walk. You could head north to Hartshead or east towards Fixby along the path. The canal links also with the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal at Bradley.
In Huddersfield you can also pick up the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It heads across the Pennines and the Peak District into Greater Manchester.
For cyclists National Cycle Route 69 runs parallel to the canal.

Huddersfield Broad Canal OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Huddersfield Broad Canal Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

At the end off the canal in Bradley you could head to the White Cross for some refreshments after your walk. Standing at the busy Leeds Road, Bradley crossroads the inn is a multi-award winning pub. It dates from 1806 and has a good menu and a beer garden to relax in. You can find it close to the canal at postcode HD2 1XD.
Near here there's also The Royal and Ancient. The pub dates back to 1780 and does a fine Sunday lunch. You can find them at Colne Bridge, 19 Dalton Bank Road, HD5 0RE.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The canal is crossed by the Calder Valley Greenway. This shared cycling and walking trail follows the route of the old Midland Railway from Huddersfield to Dewsbury.

Photos

Huddersfield Broad Canal - geograph.org.uk - 2236

Lock 9 on the Huddersfield Broad Canal, looking south from Red Doles Bridge. In the distance can be seen the Victoria Tower on Castle Hill.

Huddersfield Broad Canal - geograph.org.uk - 32772

One of a series of locks on this stretch of the canal.

Huddersfield Broad Canal - geograph.org.uk - 2225

Looking north along the Huddersfield Broad Canal from Aspley Basin, Huddersfield. In the distance can be seen "Locomotive Bridge".

Huddersfield Broad Canal - geograph.org.uk - 2231

Lock 1 of the Huddersfield Broad Canal, just south of its junction with the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Cooper Bridge.

Locomotive Bridge, Huddersfield Broad Canal - geograph.org.uk - 782303

Locomotive Bridge. Viewed from the south. Locomotive Bridge is its official name, but everyone calls it the Turnbridge - this name even being used for the locality. 'Turn' was appropriate because you had to use a windlass and turn it lots of times, but now it has been electrified. You need a BWB key to operate it.

The River Colne and the Huddersfield Broad Canal, Bradley, Huddersfield - geograph.org.uk - 381621

The River Colne and the Huddersfield Broad Canal, Bradley, Huddersfield. Looking east from the Bradley viaduct. The buildings and the pipe bridge are part of Huddersfield Sewage Works. The former 19C church, now used for other purposes, can be seen on the left.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Huddersfield Broad Canal.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Huddersfield Broad Canal.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)