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Sowerby Bridge
Tourist Information
Things to see and do in Sowerby Bridge
Located in West Yorkshire the market town of Sowerby Bridge is famous for its two rivers and two canals which form the heart of this fascinating mill town. From the Middle Ages and possibly as far back as the Roman time, Sowerby Bridge was an important crossing over the Ryburn and Calder Rivers.
The canals were once covered in but have been reopened and are part of the 21 miles Calder and Hebble Navigation that runs from Sowerby Bridge to Wakefield. The canal wharf in Sowerby Bridge is beautifully decked in flowers and is a great area for eating and drinking.
Local Attractions
Wainhouse Tower
Built as a chimney for a local dye works in 1871, but was never used. The tower is usually open on Bank Holidays, and for a small fee you can climb the stone staircase of 273 steps to an observation platform near to the top.
Rushbearing Festival (September)
Over the course of the weekend, the festival sees the progress of the Rushbearing procession around 7 towns and villages visiting many churches and local hostelries along the way. The focal point of the procession is the sixteen feet high, two-wheeled, handsomely decorated and thatched rushcart. A team of young ladies take turns to ride on top of the cart as it is pulled by sixty local men dressed in Panama hats, white shirts, black trousers and clogs. Accompanying them are a group of supporters in Edwardian dress along with some of the region's finest musicians and morris dancing teams to provide entertainment for the crowds.
Calder & Hebble Navigation
The Calder & Hebble Navigation once served a very industrial area, but is now a rural and peaceful route, where the local people are known for their friendliness.
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