Enjoy a quiet walk along the towpath
There is a towpath along the entire canal. It can be uneven in places and muddy in wet weather, so bring suitable shoes or boots. Don't forget your camera and binoculars. What you will see and hear depends on where you are. Some lengths of the canal have good tree cover, attracting birds, whereas other parts are open, with excellent views over the surrounding farmland.

Have a picnic at Canal Head
The picnic site is opposite the Wellington Oak on the A 1079. There are two car parks nearby and Top Lock is just beyond the second car park. On Sundays and Bank Holidays the PCAS Information Centre is usually open .

Do have a look at the Heritage and Wildlife information Boards, which are next to the Information Centre.

Try your hand at fishing
Although the upper part of the canal is gradually becoming overgrown with vegetation, there is still plenty of clear water. There are platforms suitable for disabled anglers in wheelchairs at Canal Head.

Angling rights are licensed by British Waterways to the York and District Amalgamation of Anglers (YDAA). Day tickets can be purchased from the Wellington Oak pub across the road from Canal Head. A rod licence is also required.

How about a cycle ride?
The surrounding area is flat and ideal for cycling and there are plenty of villages to explore. Have a look at the maps of the area. If you want to cycle on the towpath you will need a British Waterways Cycling Permit. Note that section between Canal Head and Coates Bridge is narrow and not very suitable for cycling.

Ordnance Survey maps including the canal:

• Pathfinder 674 (Wheldrake)
• Landranger 106 (Market Weighton & surrounding area)

Fancy a boat trip?
In the past four years our tripboat New Horizons has attracted a lot of interest and it is now a familiar sight on the Pocklington Canal.

We will be running short trips on most Sundays and Bank Holidays. Longer trips for parties of up to twelve can be arranged.

Please check that Sunday boat trips will be running before making a special trip to the canal: Information about boat trips

Bring your own boat
Boating need not be expensive. In a canoe or small boat you can see and hear the wildlife from a new perspective.

All craft must be licensed. In the case of canoes, membership of the British Canoe Union provides members with a licence to use most British Waterways' canals and many rivers free of charge. You can also buy licences from British Waterways. Here is some information and advice on canoeing from their Waterscape website.

If you are interested in bringing a somewhat larger boat to the Pocklington Canal, please look at the navigation page.