Wednesday, and we decided to make the most of our National Trust membership and visit East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley. This meant a fun trip over Ilkley moor, which sits between Otley and Keighley. The drive over the moors was an enjoyable set of sweeping bends along open roads, boarded by the rich green of moorland grass; from the heights we were offered great views of the surrounding area, including down towards Bradford.
Situated above the River Aire, the 17th Century Manor was easy to find, and the large pond, gravel drive, and strong stone structures showed we had made a good decision to visit.
Full of interesting artifacts from the period and helpful volunteers who gladly imparted their knowledge; we had a lovely walk around the house and gardens. One highlight was finding out how the carved patterns on the back of the wooden chairs revealed their county and place of origin.
A stroll around the gardens and a coffee in the friendly cafe finished off the NT visit well.
5 Steps and 3
From East Riddlesden Hall we decided to drive down and look at the Canal, and inparticular the locks at Bingley, which lift the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
The Canal and River Trust state that the Bingley 5 steps are the steepest staircase locks on the longest canal in the country! Probably why they are one of our Seven wonders of the waterways.
I was the first to explore, finding the lower 3 steps first, and being fortunate enough to time the visit as a canal boat passed up the steps, and onwards to the 5.
Annabel joined me, and together we watched as the paid lock keepers worked the 5 lock steps, and raised the boat from the lower level to the upper run.
It was great chatting to the various people on the canal, and the lock keepers were more than happy to share their knowledge of the locks and how they worked. Well worth a visit, especially with the cafe at the top of the 5 locks.
