A big thank you to all our sponsors and partners.
A big thank you to all our sponsors and partners.
The Market Weighton Canal Trail, conceived in 2012, aimed to create a 11.5 mile heritage trail connecting the Humber to the Yorkshire Wolds Way, improving community access to the area's history and natural beauty.
Scroll down
for more
The trail was first conceived in 2012. This followed an evaluation project carried out by Newport Parish Council to make better use of the canal and the surrounding area.
Later on, an informal community partnership was established. This included Market Weighton Town Council, Weighton Walkers Are Welcome, the six Parish Councils along the route and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council together with a local business to develop the project and seek funding support.
This North/South heritage trail (approximately 11.5 miles), along the route of the Market Weighton Canal, improves access to the Lower Vale of York. By providing this link between the national Trans Pennine Trail at the Humber and the gateway to the Yorkshire Wolds Way at Market Weighton, the trail enhances community and visitor access to the area’s wide vistas and hidden heritage.
The trail, running alongside the Market Weighton Canal, Back Delfin and the Market Weighton Beck, offers an uninterrupted public route along its entire length. It consists of a combination of bridleways and footpaths. By providing clear signage and interpretation, it establishes links to existing trails leading to nearby villages like Broomfleet, Newport, Holme on Spalding Moor, Market Weighton, and other points of interest, such as North Cave Wetlands.
The partnership secured funding and promoted community involvement. Funding support was successfully obtained from various sources, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Sancton Wind Farm, Trans Pennine Trail, and Applied Management Techniques Ltd. The partnership also continued to refine plans by encouraging local residents, schools and other stakeholders to actively engage in the planning and execution of improvements. Additionally, experts from The University of Hull made valuable contributions, particularly regarding the three historical phases documented on the interpretation boards within the site. The partnership maintained close communication with various organisations, including the Environment Agency, Ouse and Humber Drainage Board, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and numerous farmers and landowners along the route, resulting in an environment that was both encouraging and supportive.
Three distinctive gateway access points now mark the trail at Humber/Weighton Lock in Broomfleet, Newport, and Market Weighton. Created by the creative arm of Hull-based business consultancy Kaizen Group. This comprehensive design work includes Market Weighton Canal Trail logo, website and all the signage along the trail. Designed to beautifully illustrate the area's historical connections and points of interest, whilst also guiding visitors with way markers and providing rubbing posts for visitors. The design process began in late 2021, with installations successfully completed in Autumn 2023.
The Market Weighton Canal trail project has been under the guidance and management of Dr. Gordon Shields from its inception. Gordon says, “without the support, sponsorship and encouragement of so many others, this project would not have been realised and I thank them all."
We look forward to welcoming you to the trail.
Gordon Shields, Project Leader
There are places to park in Market Weighton, Newport, North Cave Wetlands, Faxfleet and a few in Broomfleet. Please be careful not to block access to farmland and residential property.
If you could follow the Countryside Code at all times it would really help to keep our Trail a nice experience for everyone for many years to come. Thank you.
If you could follow the Countryside Code at all times it would really help to keep our Trail a nice experience for everyone for many years to come.
Dogs can be walked the full length of the trail. Signage with specific instructions for placing your dog on a lead apply in certain areas. These instructions are to protect you, livestock, wildlife and your dog.
Please keep your dog out of all ponds and reed beds so as not to disturb wildlife. Please clean up after your dog and take the bagged waste home with you. Please do not disturb wildlife or other visitors along the Trail.
The majority of the walk is through fields, along the canal banks and quiet roads. Parts of the trail are narrow, allowing for single file walking only. It may get muddy during the winter in certain parts. The woodland areas are firm but can be slippery where roots break the mudded surface.
Take extra care when crossing the A1079 just outside Market Weighton. It requires caution as this is a busy 60mph road.
There are a kissing gates at Sand Lane, Lorne Farm and the Washlands. A wooden stile is also at Lorne Farm. But as a whole, the walk is flat, making it easy for most to walk.
The only public toilet on the trail is at Market Weighton.
Join us for a delightful, family-friendly walk in the countryside, where our map will guide you to key points of interest along the way...
Want to know what you might see and when? As well as the nature boards that you'll find on the trail, we have a roundup right here for you.
...or delve into the depths of our academic papers shedding light on the prehistory of the region.
We've dotted several illustrated brass rubbing posts along the trail. Pack some crayons and paper...
Good luck finding them all.
You'll find plenty of places to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at Market Weighton and Newport.
There are four picnic areas along the trail, at Market Weighton Memorial Playground, Sod House Lock, Newport and Weighton Lock at the Humber Estuary.
A highlight of the Trail is Weighton Lock. This impressive structure frames wonderful views of the Humber Estuary and the RSPB nature reserve, Whitton Island, a home to a wide variety of birds.
You can sit and admire the view at Weighton Lock picnic area.
The trail forms a natural north-south linking corridor between the Yorkshire Wolds Way at Market Weighton and the Trans Pennine Trail at Weighton Lock.
You can find out more about these national trails, by visiting their websites.
There are numerous places to fish along the trail. To make your angling trip a little easier, we've gathered some valuable resources and links to assist you...
A big thank you to all National Lottery players for helping fund this wonderful project.
A big thank you to all our sponsors. Market Weighton Town Council submitted a bid on behalf of the project partners and was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund, Trans Pennine Trail and local businesses have also generously provided additional funding for the project. See all our sponsors and partners.
© Copyright 2024 Market Weighton Canal Trail. All Rights Reserved. Maintained by Arlin Systems | Website by Kaizen Group
We do not actively collect your data. However, we utilise basic tracking through Google. For more details, please read our policies.