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Ripon Canal

The Ripon Canal runs from its junction with the River Ure at Oxclose Lock to the canal terminus at Ripon, a short walk from the city centre.

Ripon Canal Map

A narrowboat at Ripon Basin on the Ripon Canal.

Facts & Stats

2.3 miles

(4km)

The length of the Ripon Canal that is navigable.

3 locks

1773

The year that the canal was first opened.  It was reopened in 1996 after restoration.

The Ripon Canal

The Ripon Canal runs from Oxclose Lock, where it joins the river Ure, and then on to Ripon. It was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1767 and opened in 1773. The Ripon Canal was built to connect Ripon with York and the Humber Estuary via the rivers Ure and Ouse.  The Canal was a moderate success, but sold to the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company in 1847, which was then absorbed into the North Eastern Railway in 1854.  The Ripon Canal was then neglected and by 1892 was effectively disused.  The first attempt to abandon the waterway was made by the North Eastern Railway in 1894 but local opposition prevented it.  It was then offered to the Corporation of York as a gift but was not accepted, so the canal remained with the railway until being nationalised at the beginning of 1948.

An offer by the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive (part of the British Transport Commission) to sell the canal to Ripon Corporation in 1952 was declined.  Luckily, closure of the canal was unpopular locally and this prevented it from being filled in.

In 1956, the Canal was offered to Ripon Motor Boat Club, which was interested in the moorings on the Canal, subject to the condition that the Club would not oppose abandonment of the top two locks.  Although this was opposed by IWA nationally, the agreement went ahead and the upper two locks and a road bridge were demolished.  The lower part, which connected to the Ure Navigation was kept open.

Restoration of the Ripon Canal

By 1982, IWA had persuaded North Yorkshire County Council to include full restoration in the River Ure and Ouse Recreational Subject Plan.  The Council suggested that a restoration society should push this forwards, and so Ripon Canal Society was formed in 1983.  The restoration was completed in 1996, and the Society closed shortly afterwards.

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 61′ 4″ (18.7 metres) – Rhodesfield Lock
  • Beam: 16′ 3″ (4.95 metres) – Rhodesfield Lock
  • Height: 9′ 2″ (2.8 metres) – Ripon By-pass Bridge (no 1)
  • Draught: 4′ 11″ (1.5 metres) – cill of Rhodesfield Lock

Navigation authority

Useful Info

A Canal & River Trust key is required to operated Rhodesfield Lock and Bell Furrows Lock.

There are moorings above Rhodesfield and Oxclose locks.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Funding of Canal & River Trust waterways

IWA was instrumental in Canal & River Trust receiving a sufficient funding package from Government when the new charity was set up in 2012 to run the waterways previously managed by British Waterways.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities