Kirkstall to Rodley

For all the time I have spent on canals, one stretch I have rarely walked any of is the stretch up out of Leeds staring at Kirkstall.

Starting off the canal is pleasent, but unexceptional, passing first Kirkstall Lock and the non-descript fields which are across the river Aire from Kirkstall Abbey.

After Forge Locks, a double flight, the path passed Bramley Fall Wood (over the other side) and heads towards Newlay – here the city is far less evident, though we are still very much within Leeds.

It seems that when walking and shooting canals one falls into a habit of sectioning the route via Locks, an I have done so here – passing Newlay Locks, the canal turns south to loop around Rodley Nature Reserve. There are many boats here at Fallwood Marina.

Over the canal is the gradioise looking Whitecote House – the central building was built in 1744; the two side buildings later, perhaps along with the Canal. We pass some industry and patches of woodland.

Eventually we come into Rodley. The buildings along Town Street backing on to the canal have a certain idyllic charm, and at the next crossing we also have the Rodley Barge, which is a lovely pub on the waterside.