Skipton Boating

The weather is getting better, I promise, so now is a good time to start thinking about messing about on boats. The Leeds Liverpool Canal and Skipton boats in particular.

Boating From Skipton

• Pennine Cruisers offer a 30 minute accompanied canal trip up the historic Springs Branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal to see Skipton Castle from a different angle.

• Day Boats can be hired following a brief instruction session. Best to learn how to steer, stop and pass other boats even if you plan giving locks a miss.

• A short break, holiday or extended holiday on board one of Pennine Cruisers’ narrowboats can take you on some of the 2000 miles of approved UK canals.

• You do not need to rough it on a narrow boat.  Sorrel is Snaygills newly built luxury 2 – 4 berth boat. ‘The layout includes full central heating by radiators for the cooler days, a DVD player with LCD TV, radio and CD player with USB input at the front, dinette which converts to a double bed, a well equipped galley with gas cooker having grill, oven and hob with four burners and extractor fan. The bathroom includes a Mira shower, bath and flush toilet. The rear comprises internally sprung mattresses which can be kept as singles or positioned to create a permanent double bed’.  Hello sailor that sounds like luxury to me.

• Canal life is addictive  so first of all via the Boat Shop and chandlery but save the alcohol for the waterside pubs you will want to tie up to to tie one on. Don’t drink and float your boat!

• According to Shire Cruisers ‘In Skipton, there is a highly romantic castle, a busy market and an endless variety of shops. Within easy reach is Bingley 5 Rise Locks, one of the Seven Wonders of the waterways; a visitor attraction in its own right, if you go through the flight you will find yourself a living part of the exhibit, under rapid-fire instruction from Barry, its famous lock keeper.’ Boating holidays 

Even if you pick a bad day weather-wise you can be sure of a warm welcome in Skipton. If it is reaally wet there are good pubs, fish & chips and cafes

In the canal basin is a super bronze statue of local lad Fred Trueman. Now there was a man who provided a warm welcome particularly to the Aussies!