The Journey - to Sprotbrough

After leaving Eastwood and passing along to Aldwarke you'll experience some stunning, wide river sections.  Occasionally you'll see some large commercial working barges and possibly an oil tanker like the Humber Princess, being one of the last commercial inland waterways to benefit from such traffic.  You don't need to worry about the size of these commercial vessels; they're handled by highly experienced Skippers and are very 'narrowboat friendly' (John H Whitaker Tankers Ltd have a website here).

Humber Princess

From now on, all of your locks will be automated taking you through canal and river sections, past Kilnhurst Lock, Swinton Lock by the Waddingtons shipyard - builders and operators of some of the huge commercial barges you'll have seen.

An ideal (and recommended) mooring for the night is just before Sprotbrough Lock at the visitor moorings opposite the pub (aptly named the Boat Inn and reputedly serving excellent food) on the towpath.  This peaceful and tranquil site, with the gentle sound of the nearby weir, is perfect to settle down for the night, reflect upon your first day on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation and plan the rest of your journey.

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