Salterforth: Canal, Trails and Local History

Salterforth combines the history of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal with notable structures, routes through West Craven and a multifaceted local history. The canal runs through the village, which is also located at one of the highest points of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This creates an interesting mix of waterway engineering, industrial history and landscape experiences for your holiday. Families and other travellers can therefore set different focuses without every day having to look the same.

Canal and notable structures

At the Leeds and Liverpool Canal stands Salterforth Bridge Number 151. It has a single elliptical arch with rusticated voussoirs, providing a specific detail for anyone interested in historic architecture. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal Aqueduct Over Wanless Beck is also part of the canal area. It carries the canal over Wanless Beck and demonstrates how closely the waterway is connected with the engineering structures in its surroundings.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal reached Salterforth in 1816. Those choosing the village as a travel destination can therefore focus not only on a waterside landscape, but also on the development of an important transport link and the structures associated with it.

Routes for active and varied days

Salterforth Village is a stop on the Foulridge – Greenberfield – East Marton cycle route. This makes the village interesting for travellers who would like to include a cycling tour as one element of their travel plans. The West Craven Way offers a different perspective. The trail circles West Craven from the moors in the south to the drumlin landscape and pastureland in the north. It begins and ends at the Anchor Inn in Salterforth.

This makes it possible to distinguish between different travel ideas: on the cycle route, Salterforth is the focus as a stop on a longer connection, while the West Craven Way identifies the village as its starting and finishing point. If you find changes in landscape particularly appealing, the route of the West Craven Way provides clear guidance for this. When planning with children, it can be helpful to decide in advance whether the shared theme of the day should be a route, canal structures or historical discoveries.

Industrial history and historical traces

The ford in Salterforth is part of the village's history. It was used by packhorse trains transporting salt from the Cheshire mines to Yorkshire. The quarries also give the village a precise industrial character: the quarries on the west side of the canal produced gritstone, while those on the east side produced limestone. Two tramways transported gritstone to the canal at Salterforth.

Historical connections can also be found at Castle House, where Cromwell stayed, and at Cobble Row. Cobble Row served as a barracks for Cromwell's men in 1642–1643 while they were stationed there. Together with the canal and the quarries, this creates a village landscape in which transport, military and economic history stand side by side.

Practical information for the circular walk

For the Salterforth's Industrial Past circular walk, the nearest public toilets are at the recreation ground in the village centre. Parking for this circular walk is available in the Anchor Inn car park, provided the pub is used. These two details should be included in your day's planning if you would like to add the circular walk to your trip.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Salterforth, you can use the desired character of your trip as a guide. If canal structures and local history are the main focus, the bridge, aqueduct, ford and historic buildings provide a clear thematic emphasis. If you would like to include the West Craven Way, its start and end point in Salterforth is a specific reference point when choosing your holiday location. The Foulridge – Greenberfield – East Marton cycle route adds a cycling perspective to this focus.

For further travel planning, you can also look at Slaidburn, Arkholme, Colne, Whittingham, Broughton, Accrington, Bacup and Rishton.

For the overarching travel overview: Lancashire.