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If you read my post on Monday, you’d have seen some brilliant ideas for free days out in Leeds. But on a lovely day when you want to get out for free, how about a walk? We are lucky, for near us is a really flat place to walk. Which is why we went for a walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
A Walk Along The Leeds Liverpool Canal
The Leeds Liverpool canal is exactly what it says on the tin – a 127 mile long canal linking Leeds and Liverpool in the North of England. Opened in 1774, it served the growing coal, limestone and textile industries of the northern towns and cities on its route. A lot of the mills had railway links to the main canal, and there were also mils built right on the canal side. (Find out more about it’s history here)
It used to be a bustling, busy and dirty place to be, but is now a real haven for wildlife and a lovely place to spend a day. In fact, you can forget you even live in a busy city when down by the canal.
A walk along the Leeds Liverpool canal will take you across the Pennine hills between Yorkshire and Lancashire. And there are a great many locks and tunnels on its route through this hilly terrain. However, we are very close to a very flat part between Leeds and Bradford.
A New Bike
I must admit, we weren’t all walking! This flat part of the canal side route is the perfect place to try out cycling. And recently we bought E her first bicycle, so we decided to go for a walk while she was learning how to ride.
However, the bike was soon forgotten when she shaw some ducks and geese.
And there are lots of different flowers and bugs to discover. We saw lots of ladybirds.
Places to Eat and Things to See
A lot of new things to see have sprung up alongside the canal in response to the increased walkers and cyclists making their way along the old towpaths. On our route today was a small tea-room, several pubs and eateries. And a bird and wildlife sanctuary. A far cry from the soot and diesel of the canal’s working heyday.
There can even be a bit of culture. Under one of the bridges I spotted this sign, which is an ode to all that goes on around the bridge in question. Hidden Britain at its finest.
Why not check out a local canal path near you? You may be surprised at what you find, and it will be a lovely free way to spend a day.
Do pin this post for later.
So wise to take advantage of walking and beauty that is close by!
So very cool. Thanks for sharing it with us. #TriumphantTales
Canal walks (and cycles!) can be so picturesque and educational too. Sounds like you had a good time. I’ve hardly seen any ladybirds this year #adventurecalling
Missed the URL in my previous comment!
Yes, it is definitely more of an aphid time right now.
Jo, I would love to do that! I could probably visit lots of ancestral spots along the way. #DreamTeam
I love canals, and that one looks really lovely. Enda, from endastories.com. #DreamTeam
Thank you Enda. I guess in it’s hey day as a working canal it was a dirty and horrible place to work. But now it is such a wildlife haven and a joyful place to be.
It looks like a lovely time was had by all! Thanks for sharing with us on the #DreamTeam
Thank you!
This looks like a lovely canal! You can get some that are still so picturesque and without litter which makes it so stunning and serene!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back tomorrow for the final chapter!
I love a canal walk, they’re lovely and flat and full of interesting history and stories. The Grand Union canal is fairly local to us and it fascinates me. It looks like you all enjoyed a beautiful stroll/bike ride, I should really explore some more canals across the country. Thank you for sharing and the next #adventurecalling will be open tomorrow.