Slaithwaite: Canal History and Musical Tradition

Slaithwaite lies on the River Colne. The town’s history is particularly evident in its canal and waterworks; walking routes, musical traditions and local culture add further highlights. This brings together a range of interests for planning your trip: hiking and fishing are possible at the reservoir, while the Slaithwaite and Linthwaite Circular offers a set distance and duration.

Waterworks and Industrial Heritage

Slaithwaite Reservoir was built between 1795 and 1799 by the renowned canal engineer Benjamin Outram. It is therefore a specific landmark in the history of water engineering in Slaithwaite.

The reservoir contains historic water-control structures. The original tunnel and a drop shaft were first constructed in 1852. The reservoir and the structures added later offer different insights into the town’s engineering history.

Walks and Routes

Hiking and fishing are possible at Slaithwaite Reservoir. For a walk with a specific time and distance, the Slaithwaite and Linthwaite Circular provides a guide: it starts at the Commercial Inn in Slaithwaite, is three miles long and takes one and a half to two hours. On the way back, it follows the Huddersfield Canal towpath to Slaithwaite.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath between Slaithwaite and Marsden was upgraded to create a more accessible route. When planning, you can distinguish between different features: the circular route has a specified length and duration, while improved accessibility was the aim of the towpath upgrade.

Music, Culture and Architecture

Slaithwaite’s musical tradition has a specific historical origin: in 1891, amateur musicians met in the town to establish a Philharmonic Band. The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra traces its roots to this founding. It gives further concerts at Slaithwaite Civic Hall, its home venue.

The Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival takes place every two years in odd-numbered years. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates before you travel.

In Huddersfield, Globe Arts offers courses and workshops at its Holme Mills location on West Slaithwaite Road, HD7 6LS. The Church of Saint James in Slaithwaite dates from 1796 and is designed in the Neoclassical style. Its architecture offers a different historical perspective from the town’s engineering works.

Local History and Landscape

Rotcher Community Orchard has 19 apple varieties, as well as pears and stone fruit. This diversity draws attention to a different aspect of the local landscape than the reservoir’s history: fruit varieties and community fruit growing. Slaithwaite Spa was established in 1825 as Slaithwaite Spa Pleasure Grounds.

The Handmade Bakery and Cafe also has a location by the canal in Slaithwaite. Along with the River Colne, the reservoir and the canal paths, this makes water a feature of several aspects of the town: its landscape, its engineering history and its present-day layout.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Clifford, Drighlington, Oxenhope, Clayton, Greetland, Brighouse, Menston, Wetherby

For the overarching travel guide: West Yorkshire.