At the edge of the Pennines, the Rochdale Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation meet in Sowerby Bridge. Canals and locks shape the character of the town as much as its industrial history. Further afield, walking and cycling routes over and around the Pennines offer a different perspective on the region. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between sightseeing in the town and activities in the surrounding countryside.
Waterways and industrial history
Four Georgian canal warehouses stand at Sowerby Bridge Wharf, built to supply the textile industry. Sowerby Bridge was once at the height of its textile industry. Boatbuilding also has a long tradition here, and the Wharf is associated with narrowboat repairs. Tuel Lane Lock is the deepest lock in the United Kingdom.
You can walk around the canal basin. A towpath also runs along the canal. If you plan to use it, check the current situation before travelling. This lets you distinguish a walk around the basin from activities further afield, without automatically treating them as one continuous route.
Sowerby Bridge railway station provides a useful landmark for getting to the Wharf: it is a seven-minute walk away. There are two free car parks next to Lock 1. As facilities can change, check the latest information before your visit.
Bridges and historic buildings
The first stone County Bridge was built in 1517. The bridge over the River Calder has three shallow segmental arches. Christ Church adds another aspect to the town’s architectural history: the church building dates from 1821, while the church’s history reaches back to the old Brig Chapel in 1526.
Christ Church is open to visitors on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm; visits at other times can be arranged by appointment. Check visiting hours before making plans, as opening arrangements may change. This helps you plan a church visit around the opening hours rather than assuming it will be possible at any time.
The former town hall is also part of the town’s historic architecture. It was built and opened in 1857 in the Italianate style. Its concert hall had seating for 700.
Activities and events
Options range from a walk around the canal basin to activities in the countryside: the area around Sowerby Bridge is known for walking and cycling routes over and around the Pennines. White-water canoeing is also possible on the River Calder at Sowerby Bridge. You can choose between a waterside walk, routes further afield and an activity on the river as distinct ways to spend your time.
A recurring cultural event is the annual Rushbearing Festival, held in Sowerby Bridge in early September; exact dates may vary. At the heart of the procession is a 16-foot-high, two-wheeled rushcart, elaborately decorated and thatched with reeds. The procession passes through seven towns and villages. Check the dates for your travel year if you want to plan your stay around the festival.
Fire and Water Open Mic is a regular event at a community-run venue in Sowerby Bridge. Check the dates before travelling. This lets you distinguish between enduring historic features and events with specific dates when choosing when to stay.
Discover more destinations: Pudsey, Baildon, Normanton, Greetland, Knottingley, Collingham, Queensbury, Menston.
For the wider travel overview: West Yorkshire.
