North Yorkshire Cruise: from Beal to Selby via Aire and Selby Canal

Fri 10 June 2016 by River and Canal from Beal to Selby

Beal is a pleasant little village with a couple of pubs. Above the lock are rising pontoons for three long narrowboats, creating a safe haven with a water point. Our companion moorers had a single rowing skiff (?) for exercise, built light.

Sharing locking, we enjoyed a leisurely passage around a very twisty three miles of the River Aire, boxing the compass, rather like on the South Oxford Canal. Flood banks limited the view, but cows looked down on us from river cliffs four metres high.

Cows in the Air(e)?

Mild but overcast at first, the sun gradually appeared to warm our backs as we headed northwards. The Aire is as low as it gets at the moment, and John grounded when he cut a sharp bend where cattle were paddling.

Passing an empty water ski mooring, Liana got off on a rising pontoon and we used Haddlesey Flood Lock as a normal lock, leaving it as we found it, as requested on a notice.

approaching Haddlesey Lock

The Selby Canal has only one other lock, the Tidal lock at Selby Basin. The six miles in between are shallow but pretty, with stone bridges and yellow Irises, plus our first show of yellow Water Lilies this year.

green slime on the surface

Lilies in flower

Our companions stopped for lunch at the quiet country stone wharf at Gateforth Landing, while we continued slowly in the summer sun.

See the cows in the canal?

After passing under the newish A63 bridge, Selby comes into view suddenly, past retail park, businesses and a boatyard which may be useful to know about if you need diesel, parts or repairs.

another Annie at the boatyard

Liana had to operate the push button road bridge before we entered the basin, mooring at the 48 hour visitor moorings on the left.

Selby Swing Bridge

Annie on visitor mooring by tidal lock

After talking to a very helpful Fred, the lock keeper who lives by the lock, we contacted CRT management using 0303 0404040 and talked to the Enforcement Officer, who passed me on to Victoria, who was most helpful. As we need to leave Annie unattended for three nights, she agreed to let us leave Annie securely on a more secure empty permanent mooring opposite. Fred checked about keys, but this was a problem, so we agreed to contact Fred during his work hours next day when ready to leave. Thank you, CRT!

Selby has lots of shops, so we got a few necessities and tried Mister C's award-winning fish and chips, which were hot and tasty, admiring the beautiful exterior of Selby Abbey from the paved area in front. Tomorrow we will see inside, before returning home.

Selby Abbey is a must see