The end of the Huddersfield Canal

Finally we leave the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in our narrowboat heading towards Manchester.

Sunday 14th October- We cruised down to Stalybridge visitor moorings, negotiating 8 locks and Scouts Tunnel which is 205 yards long. On the way passing Hartshead Power station where the canal passes underneath an electricity pylon that had been erected while the canal was closed and the only viable route for the restoration of the canal was through the legs. There are good moorings at Stalybridge, with the local town a bit tired looking, only a few minutes walk away, a large Tescos next to the canal and an Aldi also a few minutes walk. Tow path very busy as you would expect in town. We wondered if we would experience any trouble here but all was quiet except for the noisy and unruly geese who were ready to attack when ever you passed.
After leaving Staybridge on 17th October we cruised to the end of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Ashton under Lyne taking in 5 locks. We had completed the 19.5 miles, 74 locks and 3 mile long Standedge tunnel, across the Pennines in 9 days.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has its challenges but is such an interesting canal of contrasts. We passed through heavy urban areas in Huddersfield and Ashton upon Lyne, lovely rural pennine villages like Uppermill and Saddleworth, beautiful open countryside and heathered moorland at Marsden and Diggle and impressive old mills sadly now in decay. Although heavily locked we wouldn't have missed it for the world and loved all of its contrasts but will not be doing it again.