Local Waterways Part 5 - The Aire and Calder

So for the next part of this little series of posts we turn our attentions to the Aire and Calder from the city of Leeds to the docks at Goole. This is still very much a commercial waterway shifting huge amounts of cargo around. You are guaranteed to come across a fully laden commercial vessel on this trip.

 Clarence Dock. Great moorings but somewhat isolated from the city centre. A fair old walk into the city centre but good moorings all the same and a stones throw from the Royal Armouries.

Just a short hop downstream sees you at Woodlesford. A great village with a wide variety of shops and lovely visitor moorings.

Further downstream still you reach Lemonroyd Lock. The deepest on the navigation.

Then onwards to Castleford with the famous boat on the weir. Great shops within walking distance but the town has obviously seen better days. Still a warm welcome to be had mind.

The navigation here switches from canal cut to river and back again. The reaches of the River Aire are pretty even in the early spring sunshine.

A scene that needs no introduction. Ferrybridge and the old A1 road bridge.

Here is the navigation through Knottingley. A pleasant tree lined cutting.

Through Knottingley and the navigation takes on a different feel. No in man made channel, deep, wide and very much the motorway of the inland waterways. Here at Whitely Lock the commericals have priority.

Pollington Lock another huge commerical lock. From the visitor mooring above the lock it is a short walk to the local pub.

 And finally Goole Docks and the huge Ocean Lock which takes boats big and small onto the tidal waters of the River Ouse some 7 miles upstream of Trent End. This lock is free to pleasure craft from 1.5 hours before to 2.5 hours after high water Goole. There is no need to tie up in here. You just ride the flow and hover in the middle of the massive lock chamber.