Leek Canal

It rained all night, so next day, 22nd June, instead of continuing up the Caldon Canal as planned it was decided to take the short journey up a side canal, the Leek Canal and walk into Leek Town.

The Hazelhurst Junction and signpost, the boat being turned at the Junction.

The canal was only 2 and a half miles long, and the terminus at the end of it is adjacent to Leek.  We went through the Leek Tunnel, 130 metres long, just before the end of the canal. It was a windy canal running along a hillside, quite narrow and shallow at times but with lovely reflections of the trees in the canal and different types of bridges.  There were a lot of nice houses and places running down on to the canal with lovely gardens.

Bridge and reflection along the canal

The Leek Canal Terminus and turning point through the bridge.

Leek was known as a silk town which gained a reputation for its dyeing and embroidery and for its textile mills.  We walked around the town which is now more a market town with the original cobbled streets.

Leek Market Cross

Street in Leek

The weather improved a little during the short trip back to the Junction and we turned again into the Caldon Canal and went through the 3 Hazelhurst Locks (Flight of 25 feet 10 inches) and under the Leek Canal mooring beside the Homebush Inn  for the night.

Bridge with house on Leek Canal.  A good photo on a fine day I am told.

Leek Canal and towpath view from a bridge.

End of Leek Canal with Hazelhurst Junction and Caldon Canal ahead.  A bridge over the Caldon Canal can be seen to the right of the photo.  Note that this part of the canal is lower and then proceeds under the Leek Canal further on.

 

Caldon Canal at the first Hazelhurst Lock

Martin was concerned about the boat as the motor was starting to smoke and not firing well so arranged for a mechanic to come out the next morning it check it out.  We were worried we may not be able to go much further.