A Sowerby Bridge Survivor: The Puzzle Hall Inn

Location: Sowerby Bridge Date: 2nd November 2013 Camera: Samsung Galaxy Tablet

Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge – November 2013

 In the heart of Sowerby Bridge, where the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal meet, stands a building with a history as textured as its stone walls: the Puzzle Hall Inn. Captured here in a classic black and white image, this historic pub has long been a landmark and, for a time, a legendary venue for music lovers.

This Grade II listed building is more than just an old inn; it’s a tangible piece of the area's industrial and social past. Its distinctive architecture, including the turret-like stone extension, makes it instantly recognisable.

History by the Canal

The Puzzle Hall Inn is thought to date back to the 18th century, established when the nearby canal and river traffic were the lifeblood of Sowerby Bridge. As a pub situated close to the water, it would have served generations of navigators, mill workers, and locals, offering refreshment and a place to gather.

Its listing as a Grade II building affirms its architectural and historical importance, highlighting its contribution to the built heritage of the Calderdale area.

A Venue for a Generation

While its origins lie in serving the industrial community, the Puzzle Hall Inn gained significant fame in the late 20th and early 21st centuries for its vibrant atmosphere and its role as a premier live music venue. It became known throughout West Yorkshire and beyond for hosting a wide array of bands and performers, offering a vital platform for local and touring musicians.

Though the pub has faced challenges and periods of closure, its cultural significance remains high, and efforts by the local community and preservationists highlight the deep affection held for this historic building. The image captures it looking perhaps a little quiet and overgrown, but the sturdy, timeless character of the stonework shines through, reminding us of the Inn's enduring presence in the landscape of Sowerby Bridge.

It is a true example of a community landmark that has adapted through the centuries—from serving thirsty boatmen to providing a stage for rock and roll.

Waterside Beauty: The Rochdale Canal in Hebden Bridge

Location: Rochdale Canal, Hebden Bridge Date: 7th June 2014 Camera: Polaroid is2132

 Few places capture the essence of a revived industrial heritage quite like Hebden Bridge. And at the very heart of its character is the Rochdale Canal, which flows right through the town, transforming it from a mill hub into a haven for walkers, boaters, and photographers.

This photograph perfectly illustrates that transformation, capturing a tranquil, leafy scene where history meets modern, vibrant village life.

Rochdale Canal Towpath and Stone Bridge, Hebden Bridge

A Perfect Pennine View

The scene is quintessential Hebden Bridge:

• The Waterway: The canal water is calm and reflective, shaded by the overhanging trees. The dark water contrasts beautifully with the lush greens of the foliage.

• The Stone Bridge: In the centre, a classic, hump-backed stone bridge arches gracefully over the canal. These bridges are characteristic of the entire canal system, built low and strong to allow horse-drawn barges to pass underneath.

• The Cottage: To the right, a charming gritstone cottage with its slate roof and neatly framed windows anchors the scene. Its presence—and the well-kept garden with its striking topiary—shows how intimately the town lives alongside its historic waterway.

• The Industrial Echo: Just visible over the trees in the distance, a tall stone chimney rises, a subtle but powerful reminder of the textile mills that the canal was originally built to serve.

From Industry to Leisure

The Rochdale Canal, opened in 1804, was once a crucial artery for the Industrial Revolution, hauling coal from Lancashire and wool from Yorkshire mills.

Today, the scene is transformed. The barges now carry leisure seekers, the towpath is a popular route for cyclists and walkers, and the air is filled with bird song, not steam. This revival is a testament to the community's dedication to preserving and celebrating its industrial past.

Walking along this stretch of the canal is like stepping into a peaceful, water-filled gallery, where every bend reveals another view that perfectly balances gritstone history with natural beauty.

Steps to Industry: Co-op Bridge on Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge

Location: Co-Op Bridge, Sowerby Bridge Date: 26th September 2021 Camera: IPhone 11

 Today's focus is on a familiar, yet often overlooked, feature of Sowerby Bridge: the bridge and retaining walls near Hollins Mill Lane that cross the Rochdale Canal. This isn't a grand, polished landmark, but a gritty, honest slice of local history.

This photograph captures the rugged mix of industrial architecture and nature reclaiming its territory.

Co-Op Bridge, Sowerby Bridge

A Bridge Steeped in History

The bridge itself is often referred to locally as the "Co-op Bridge," likely due to its proximity to the historic Sowerby Bridge Industrial Society Co-operative buildings or former shops nearby. It's a crucial crossing, linking the commercial and residential areas of the town.

What stands out in this image is the incredible amount of gritstone engineering required to manage the change in elevation here.

• The Stone Walls: The massive retaining walls, built from local stone, show their age and character. The right-hand wall is dark and moss-covered, while the wall on the left, possibly cleaned or built later, is lighter—a perfect visual history of weathering.

• The Arch: The small, blocked-off archway in the lower right wall is a mystery in itself—perhaps an old access point, a drain, or an original passage that speaks to the complex layering of the town's infrastructure over centuries.

• The Structure: Above the steps, you can see the metal girder bridge carrying the road, a typical design of the late 19th or early 20th century, which allowed the road to span the canal below.

Nature Fights Back

What truly brings this photo to life is the greenery. The fierce fight between the hard stone and the tenacious plants makes the scene so dramatic:

• Vibrant Life: Hordes of ivy, moss, and even substantial shrubs are growing directly out of the stone and brickwork, pushing through cracks and colonising the walls.

• Seasonal Colour: Notice the flash of pink-to-red colour from the Rosebay Willowherb (or similar plant) growing on the steps, adding a vibrant contrast to the dark stone and giving the scene a lively, late-summer feel.

This scene is a beautiful metaphor for Sowerby Bridge itself: a tough, enduring place where the industry of the past is being softened and absorbed by the natural world today.

Where the Pennines Meet the Water: Exploring Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin

Location: Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin Date: 8th October 2017 Camera: Nikon d3300

Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin

Nestled in the heart of the Upper Calder Valley, Sowerby Bridge is a town whose character is defined by its dramatic landscape and its industrious past. Nowhere is this history more visible and vibrant than at the Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin (also known as the Wharf), a spectacular junction where two great waterways meet.

The Basin is far more than a picturesque mooring spot for narrowboats; it is a monument to the Industrial Revolution and a thriving hub of modern community life.

---

A History of Two Canals

Sowerby Bridge Wharf's importance stems from its unique position at the meeting point of the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Rochdale Canal.

• The Calder & Hebble Navigation (opened in the 1770s) connected the town eastward towards Wakefield and Hull.

• The Rochdale Canal (completed in 1805) provided the crucial link westward, crossing the Pennines to connect with Manchester and Liverpool.

This junction meant that Sowerby Bridge became a vital transhipment port. Since the locks on the two canals were different sizes, goods like wool, coal, and textiles had to be unloaded from one boat and transferred to another before continuing their journey. The Wharf's impressive stone warehouses and buildings, many of which are now Grade II Listed structures, testify to the volume of trade that once passed through this busy waterway.

---

The Architecture and Restoration

The photo above beautifully captures the spirit of the Wharf today, blending industrial heritage with leisure. The multi-story, stone-built warehouses loom large, a reminder of their function in the textile boom that drove the town's growth.

The Wharf fell into disuse and neglect after World War II, but thanks to dedicated local campaigns and major regeneration projects, the historic buildings were rescued from demolition and lovingly restored in the early 2000s. Today, these restored buildings house:

• Waterside Pubs and Restaurants: Providing perfect spots to relax and watch the boats.

• Boat Hire and Repairs: Maintaining the traditional industry of the waterways.

• Offices and Community Spaces: Bringing the area into full commercial use once again.

---

Features and Things to Explore

A visit to the Canal Basin offers a perfect blend of history, engineering, and scenery.

• Tuel Lane Lock: Just a short walk up the Rochdale Canal lies Tuel Lane Lock, famous for being the deepest lock in the UK at nearly 20 feet (6m). It's a fascinating engineering marvel to watch.

• Wainhouse Tower: Look up towards the hills from the basin, and you'll spot the iconic Wainhouse Tower—the tallest folly in the world, dominating the skyline.

• Towpath Walks: The basin is a fantastic starting point for peaceful walks or cycles along the canal towpaths, offering scenic routes through the Calder Valley.

• Sowerby Bridge Station: Conveniently close, the railway station connects the basin to the wider region, making it an easy trip for visitors.

The Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin is a must-visit destination, a place where you can physically step into the past and see how a working river crossing evolved into a centre of global trade, and now, a welcoming waterside haven.

A Ghost from the War: The Sunken Secrets of Warland Reservoir

Location: Warland Reservoir, Todmorden Date Taken: May 27th 2025 Camera: Canon r100

Sunken Boat Remains at Warland Reservoir

I was out exploring the dramatic Pennine landscape, and what I witnessed at Warland Reservoir was a haunting and powerful sight. Due to what must be exceptionally low water levels, a secret the reservoir has held for decades was laid bare: the skeletal remains of an old sunken boat.

Captured here in black and white, the effect is even more dramatic. The ribs of the vessel jut out from the dark, cracked earth, looking like a decaying marine skeleton against the water’s edge. It's an eerie, beautiful, and profound reminder that even seemingly remote stretches of water have their own forgotten histories.

The Wartime Mystery

What is this vessel, and how did it end up at the bottom of a high-moor reservoir?

Local lore suggests a fascinating connection to World War II. It is widely believed that these remains—possibly one of three similar boats—were deliberately sunk during the war as part of a strategic defence plan. The theory is that the boats were linked together with cables and submerged to prevent German seaplanes from using the large expanse of the reservoir as a makeshift landing strip or refuelling point.

This small, forgotten wreck, sometimes called a "dragonboat," is a tangible link to a time when Britain was preparing for all possible threats, even in the quiet corners of the Yorkshire/Lancashire border. It reminds us that every location, no matter how tranquil now, played its part in the global conflict.

A Glimpse of the Past

For most of the year, this relic is hidden from view, submerged beneath the waters that feed the Rochdale Canal. It only reveals itself during periods of severe drought or very low water.

To stand there and see the exposed wooden frame and what looks like its rusted ribs is to confront a piece of history that is literally decaying before your eyes. It is a poignant juxtaposition of the reservoir's original purpose (supplying water for the canal since the 1850s) and its later, unexpected role in wartime defence.

The exposed mud and stones, along with the remnants of the boat, tell a story of changing conditions and hidden depths. It’s a powerful image of resilience and decay, of nature taking back what man put there, only to reluctantly give it up when the water recedes.