Huddersfield Narrow Canal
engineered by Benjamin Outram, 19.3 miles long with 74 locks

History and General Knowledge of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Running south west from the centre of Huddersfield just south east of the University campus. A Narrow Canal from this point and with no less than four tunnels, the longest of which is the Standedge Tunnel which is an impressive 5675 yards in length. Standedge Tunnel is also the longest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. The other tunnels are: Bates Tunnel, Sellers Tunnel and Scout Tunnel. There are also two short aqueducts: the Royal George Aqueduct and Micklehurst Aqueduct.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is in many places, exactly that, 'Narrow'. In parts, much like a single track lane with passing places.

Joining the Ashton Canal at its southernmost point at Ashton-under-Lyne.

Just after joining the Ashton Canal, you can take the Peak Forest Canal all the way to Whaley Bridge.

History of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

An historic waterway located in West Yorkshire, England. It was constructed in the early 19th century to transport goods such as coal, textiles and iron to the growing industrial centres of Huddersfield and the wider region. The canal played a vital role in the industrial revolution, connecting the town with other major commercial centres and providing a reliable transport route for raw materials and finished products.

The idea for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was first proposed in the late 18th century, and construction began in 1794. The canal was designed by Benjamin Outram, a prominent civil engineer who also worked on the Croydon Canal and other important projects of the time. The initial stretch of the canal ran from the River Tame near Stalybridge to Huddersfield, a distance of around 20 miles.

The construction of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was a significant engineering feat for its time, involving the excavation of several tunnels, aqueducts and locks. The longest tunnel, at Standedge, was over three miles in length and took more than a decade to complete. Despite the challenges, the canal was officially opened in 1811, with the arrival of the first boat carrying coal from the local collieries.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal quickly became an important transport route for goods, linking Huddersfield with other industrial centres such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. The canal's success led to the construction of several branches, including the Ashton Canal, the Rochdale Canal and the Huddersfield Broad Canal. By the mid-19th century, the Huddersfield Canal Company was one of the largest and most successful canal companies in the country, with a fleet of over 100 boats.

However, with the advent of the railway in the mid-19th century, the importance of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal began to decline. Many of the goods that had previously been transported by canal were now being carried by train and the canal struggled to compete. In the early 20th century, traffic on the canal had dwindled to a fraction of its former levels and it was eventually closed to commercial traffic in 1944.

Since then, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been restored and reopened for recreational use. Today, it is a popular destination for boaters, walkers and cyclists, offering a glimpse into the region's industrial past and the important role that canals played in the development of the modern world. The canal is also known for its stunning scenery, with picturesque villages and dramatic landscapes that attract visitors from around the world.