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Towpath on the canal in spring, Riddlesden Yorkshire
Towpath on the canal, Riddlesden Yorkshire | © Sophie Fawcett
Yorkshire

Riddlesden ramble

Explore the peaceful canal area opposite East Riddlesden Hall on this gentle circular ramble, taking in some fascinating local history along the way.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

East Riddlesden Hall gate entrance, grid ref: SE079421

Step 1

Start at East Riddlesden Hall gate entrance. Walk towards the main road on the left-hand side path. Using the crossing, cross to the other side of the road. Turn left, keeping the road on your left.

Step 2

After just over 400 yards (360m) you will come to Bar Lane on your right. Take this road until you reach the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Step 3

Turn left at the canal and follow the towpath until you reach a swing bridge, called Leaches Bridge (you will be returning here later).

Step 4

Carry on along the canal. Ignore the track on your left. 400 yards (360m) past this track you will look down onto some farm buildings on the left. Behind these buildings you will see Elam Grange.

Step 5

Turn around and return to the swing bridge. As you return to the bridge, just before you pass the track that joins the towpath from the right, there is a building which is right up to the canal path. The right-hand end of this building used to be the Woodpecker Inn, serving the Leeds and Liverpool canal. If you would appreciate a quiet rest at this point, walk a few yards down the track on your right. You will see a small building with an open door. Enter and you will find a few seats in this chapel of rest. Mr Hutchinson, owner of the nearby house, repaired this building and is happy for anyone to enjoy its peaceful setting. Return to canal path to continue with the walk.

Step 6

Cross the swing bridge and carry on up the slope to the T-junction. Keep on the right-hand pavement and ignore the road off to the right before this.

Step 7

Turn right at the T-junction. There is now a meeting of roads. Cross the road onto Scott Lane. There is a bus stop at the beginning of Scott Lane.

Step 8

Continue along Scott Lane until you reach Bar Lane on your right. Follow this over the canal bridge and turn left along the canal towpath.

Step 9

Follow the canal until you reach the next canal bridge. What looks like an upturned cannon is actually part of a crane which stood in this locality.

Step 10

When you reach the next canal bridge, turn right down the slope of Granby Lane and back to the main road.

Step 11

Cross the road by the crossing and re-enter East Riddlesden Hall grounds.

End point

East Riddlesden Hall gate entrance, grid ref: SE079421

Trail map

Map of Riddlesden ramble
Map of Riddlesden ramble | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5EL

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