Melbourne to Bielby, Pocklington Canal Walk

Plan your self-guided walk along the Pocklington Canal and see the restoration work. There is a towpath along the full length and there are a number of Grade II listed bridges and locks. The canal is a haven for wildlife.

Walk details

Parking

Parking is available in Melbourne and East Cottingwith.

Accessibility

The towpath can be uneven in places and may be muddy during the winter months.

1.Melbourne Canal Head

Start your walk by crossing over the foot bridge, taking a right turn. Follow the toe path all the way along the Pocklington Canal.

This is a two-mile section between Bielby and Melbourne that was reopened in 2018. The opening commemorated the bicentenary of the original opening of the canal in 1818, extending the navigable length from five to seven miles. A very generous contribution of £106,400 from the IWA Tony Harrison bequest made it possible to achieve the £250,000 needed to fund the restoration of the two additional miles of canal between Melbourne and Bielby. A number of IWA work camps and joint PCAS/IWA working parties have helped restore several of the locks and carry out scrub-bashing along this stretch.

2. Bielby town

Once you have reached the end of the path before it bends to the left to go North towards Allerthorpe, you can either turn around and head back towards Melbourne Canal Head; alternatively continue towards Canal Head in Allerthorpe. This elongated walk along the Pocklington Canal is 7.8km (5 miles) and can be followed here.

The canal is navigable from Bielby to the River Derwent, passing through four locks and seven swing-bridges and there are permanent moorings for boats at Melbourne Arm.

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