Salterforth on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Salterforth lies on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which runs through the village. One of the highest points along the canal is located here. The bridge and aqueduct, the history of the quarries, and the account of a salt transport route give the village a strong connection to water engineering and transport. If you are looking for a hotel in Salterforth, this combination of canal and industrial history provides a clear theme for your stay.

Canal Structures in Salterforth

Salterforth Bridge Number 151 on the canal has a single elliptical arch with rusticated voussoirs. An elliptical arch is flatter than a semicircle; the voussoirs follow its curve. This makes it possible to focus on a specific architectural form at the bridge, rather than viewing the canal only as a line in the landscape.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal Aqueduct Over Wanless Beck serves a different purpose: it carries the canal over Wanless Beck. While the single arch is the described feature of Bridge Number 151, the aqueduct carries the canal over the stream. The two structures thus represent different solutions along the same waterway.

Stone, Salt, and Local History

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal reached Salterforth in 1816. Quarries on its west side produced gritstone, while limestone was extracted on the east side. Two tramways transported gritstone to the canal at Salterforth. These details distinguish both the materials and their locations: gritstone on the west side, limestone on the east side, and tramways transporting gritstone to the waterway.

The ford in Salterforth is also part of the village’s transport history. Packhorse trains used it to transport salt from the Cheshire mines to Yorkshire. The ford and the canal point to different forms of goods transport: one story involves packhorses, the other follows the waterway.

Other historical connections include Castle House and Cobble Row. Cromwell stayed at Castle House. Cobble Row served as barracks in 1642–1643 for men stationed there and is associated with Cromwell’s men. These sites add a look at Salterforth’s 17th-century past to its industrial history.

Cycling Route and Practical Information

Salterforth Village is a stop on the Foulridge – Greenberfield – East Marton cycling route. If you plan to follow this route, check local route conditions before setting out, as they can change.

For the Salterforth's Industrial Past circular walk, the nearest public toilets are at the recreation ground in the village centre. Parking is available at the Anchor Inn car park if you are using the inn. As information about toilets and parking can change, check it before your tour. This makes the different conditions for the circular walk clear: the toilets are in the village centre, while parking at the Anchor Inn is conditional on using the inn.

Discover more destinations: Waterloo, Kirkham, Chorley, Claughton-on-Brock, Hest Bank, Whittingham, Sabden, Rawtenstall.

For the main travel overview: Lancashire.