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Leeds Liverpool Canal , Greenberfield Lock to Barrowford

Thursday 28th September was another lovely lovely day walking along the Leeds Liverpool Canal.  After an hour or so travelling in the mini bus to Thornton in Craven on the edge of Yorkshire we alighted at Greenberfield Lock by bridge 157 at the beginning of the “summit” level of the canal at 498ft above sea level.

It was a really pleasant place with a small welcoming cafe serving essentials where we paused to take in the atmosphere and refreshments afore setting out westwards on the gently meandering waterway fringed by trees and open vistas. Very soon we were skirting the light green coloured Rolls Royce aero engine factories at Barnoldswick though we hardly noticed the actual town. It was very much a rural walk with gently rolling hills, lots of trees, the odd passing barge and bridges all bathed in the early autumn sunlight. We were welcomed back into Lancashire by a sign on a bridge close to a canal bank boundary sign for Lancashire and Yorkshire. Eventually we arrived at the attractive settlement of Foulridge Wharf where we sat on a handy low wall close to a restored limestone kiln for our lunch. The Wharf marked the beginning of the almost mile long Foulridge tunnel (which had traffic lights to control access!) It also marked a major change for us …. we had to walk up and down streets and lanes for the next mile or so over the tunnel! A narrow lane lead us to the southern end of the tunnel and we resumed our waterside stroll. Gradually the countryside became more open as we reached western end of the summit level at Barrowford locks with its large reservoir. Somewhat weary we left at bridge 143 and took to the shady roadside walk into Barrowford village where we once again enjoyed refreshment etc at the historic heritage centre before boarding the bus for home.