Saltaire to Bingley Five Rise Locks Canal Walk with a visit to Salts Mill

‘Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience’ 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

We are back from New Zealand, spending the summer in West Yorkshire and while we have not seen much summer sunshine yet, the beautiful Yorkshire countryside is still here in all its glory.    

On a mid-June morning, we set off on one of the most picturesque and serene canal walks tucked away in the heart of West Yorkshire. 

Stretching from the historic village of Saltaire to the awe-inspiring Bingley 5-Rise Locks, this canal walk offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty, industrial heritage, and the leisurely leisure activity of canal life.   

The Victorian model of Saltaire, is a fabulous place to start.   This UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture was founded in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a model village built to house the workers of Salt's textile mill.  

Today, Saltaire retains much of its Victorian character and charm, with cobbled streets, quaint houses, and the imposing Salts Mill, now home to art galleries, shops, and cafes.   Saltaire became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021 when they noted “Saltaire is an outstanding and well preserved example of a mid 19th century industrial town..... The layout and architecture of Saltaire admirably reflect mid 19th century philanthropic paternalism, as well as the important role played by the textile industry in economic and social development’ 

Before we set off on along the towpath we took some time to visit Salts Mill a stunning huge historical building, set over four floors and home to one of the largest collections of David Hockney’s art.  

A beautiful hub for arts and culture, the mill also has some lovely independent retail spaces, including a great bookshop.  The space on the second floor beyond the fabulous Salts Book and Poster Shop celebrates the history of the Mill and Saltaire from 1853 to the present day.  It is a wonderful place to while away a couple of hours. 

Tearing ourselves away from the Mill and with a sign of the sun making an appearance we set off out of the beautiful Mill towards Saltaire and the towpath. 

Our walk started just off the highstreet in Saltaire on the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal turning right as we faced the water to walk along the path.  

The canal towpath is wide, well-maintained and easy to follow, making it suitable for walkers of all ages, pushchairs and all abilities. As you set off, you will be greeted by the tranquil waters of the canal, lined with lush greenery and the occasional narrowboat gliding by. 

The route from Saltaire to Bingley 5-Rise Locks is approximately 3 miles (5 km), a manageable distance that allows plenty of time to soak up the surroundings and then make a return walk along the towpath back to Saltaire if you want to.  

The walk along the towpath was lovely in the early afternoon sun with long distance rural green views to Hope Hill and Shipley Glen juxaposed with the contrasting views of industry past and present.  

The striking Damart’s Mill stands out against the greenery with its blacked stone chimney silhouetted against the blue sky. 

As we made our way along the path we reached Dowley Gap Aqueduct, also known as the Seven Arches Aqueduct. An impressive stone aqueduct that carries the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at a height of 9m (30ft) over the River Aire.   We learned a bit of history about this lock. It was designed by engineer James Brindley and constructed in 1773 by John Longbotham who also designed the Bingley Five Rise Locks where we were heading. 

We were happy to fall into the rhythm of the canal as we meandered along the towpath, letting the scenery unfold at a gentle pace enjoying the abundant greenery, bursts of colourful wildflowers, the sunlight reflecting on the water and the summer hum of wildlife, birdlife and boat life as the odd narrowboat slid by. 

Approaching our destination, the highlight of the walk is undoubtedly the Bingley 5-Rise Locks, known as one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterway’.   Fabulous to see and appreciate the remarkable feat of 18th Century engineering that went into the design and build of them.  Built in 1774, the locks consist of five chambers that raise boats a total of 60 feet (18 meters) over just 320 feet (98 meters). 

Watching boats navigate the locks is a fascinating experience. The system operates much as it did in the 18th century, and, seeing the lock keepers in action gives a real sense of the canal’s historical significance.  Luckily, we did get to see the locks in action as two boats navigated this amazing design. 

This is a perfect destination and place to stop, take in the extraordinary engineering and take in the view back down the canal from the top of the locks a real view of natural beauty and industrial history. 

We stopped for ice-creams in the sun at the lovely Five Rise Locks Cafe, a picturesque stop off, before we set off back to Saltaire with plans to continue the extra miles along the canal onto Skipton another time.  

Walking back towards Saltaire we continued to enjoy this beautiful canal walk, a living link to an industrial past. A walk of ever-changing landscapes, of contrasting scenery, historic mills, urban buildings, natural beauty; leafy woodland which opens up to the rolling rugged hills of West Yorkshire with the meandering waterway a peaceful companion. 

On a canal walk it is easy to find a rhythm that resonates with the very essence of life itself – peaceful, purposeful, and naturally beautiful. 

Walked June 2024 🥾