Struncheon Hill Lock

Struncheon Hill or sometimes Hempholme or Top Hill Low Lock is a lock on the Driffield Navigation in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is located about 0.75 miles (1.21 km) south of Bethells Bridge, near the hamlet of Hempholme. The lock improves access to the next section of the waterway at low tide, where the canal joins the tidal section of the River Hull. Struncheon Hill Lock was constructed between 1803 and 1811, as part of a series of improvements to the Driffield Navigation.

The paddle gear on the bottom gates can be operated with a standard tapered small hole BW windless.

The paddle gear on the top gates (constructed by the water company) is an unusual large square in which the sluice comes up the middle. A special windlass, or tool is needed for this.

The top gates are opened by turning a square on the pedistals either side of the lock. This is a slightly larger none tapered square to the BW small taper, and requires a special windlass to operate (a standard windlass can be opened out to make it fit).

Bethells Bridge

Located near the hamlet of Hempholme, it allows passage between Struncheon Hill Lock and Emmotland, built 1811, the bridge was part of a series of improvements made to allow larger vessels to travel along the navigation. The bridge was named for Richard Bethell, who owned the land around the new lock cut, and needed the bridge to access his property. The bridge fell into disrepair in the 1950s and was rebuilt in 2003. Fishing isn’t allowed between the moorings or the bridge and structure.

It is operated by a winch situated on the west bank. There is a landing stage upstream of the bridge, but landing on the bridge support is needed on the downstream side. There is a bolt which holds the bridge in place which must be removed before using the winch. There may be a bit of resistance before the bridge starts the swing, be careful of the wire springing back.

Brigham Bridge

Brigham Bridge is a swing bridge on the Driffield Navigation that was restored to full operation in 2003, allowing navigation to Snakeholme Lock. The bridge had last been opened in the 1960s before being replaced by a fixed structure in the 1970s. Located close to the B1249 Frodingham Bridge, Brigham Bridge is a popular launching point for those participating in watersports with canoes and paddleboards.

Like Bethells Bridge, a winch is on the west bank, which requires the pin to be removed from the bridge before operating. Again it may be difficult to start the swing and watch for the recoil on the cable. There is a small jetty downstream on the west bank, and small landing on the upstream on the east bank.

Snakeholme Lock

Snakeholme Lock is a lock on the Driffield Navigation that was originally constructed with a single chamber but was converted to a two-lock staircase in 1776. The lock is located between Wansford and Brigham Bridge. In 2003, Snakeholme Lock was officially reopened to navigation, though a fixed bridge situated over the tail of the lock limits headroom to 8 feet.

The lock paddles are operated by a ‘handspike’, you can make your own from a piece of 4″ x 2″ or 3″ x 2″ hardwood about 3′ long, tapered to about 2¼” x 1¾”, or purchased from South Yorkshire boatyards as it’s the same size used on the Calder and Hebble. Hard wood is needed as soft wood will quickly become chewed up.

Ensure that the gates and paddles at the other end of the lock are fully shut before operating. Leave all paddles and gates shut when leaving. It is possible to land on the bottom chamber below the lock, and on the wingwalls above the lock. Make sure the weir does not trap your vessel.

Wansford (Skerne Road) Bridge

Wansford Bridge is a fixed road bridge on the Driffield Navigation that carries the road connecting Wansford and Skerne. It is the only bridge preventing the canal from being fully navigable. The original bridge, a swing bridge, was replaced in 1967 by the current fixed bridge because the original structure had fallen into disrepair. At the time, there was no commercial traffic on the canal, and the use of the navigation for recreation had not yet become popular. The Driffield Navigation Trust hopes to replace Wansford Bridge with a swing bridge to allow larger boats to reach Driffield. Smaller boat can pass underneath with care, but be aware of the flow from Nafferton Beck.

Wansford Lock

Wansford Lock is a lock on the Driffield Navigation, located between Whinhill and Snakeholme Locks. The lock was built to accommodate Humber Keels, vessels that are up to 61 feet (18.6 m) long and 14.5 feet (4.4 m) wide. Wansford Lock was one of four locks that were originally constructed as part of the canal. The lock was restored and the gates were replaced in the spring of 2009. The first boat to pass through the lock in over 60 years did so on 30 May 2009.

Like Snakeholme Lock, it is operated with handspikes. Ensure the paddles and gates are shut at the other end of the lock before operation. There is a landing below on the east bank, and a lock wing wall above to use.

Whinhill Lock

Whinhill Lock is a lock on the Driffield Navigation, located between Town Lock and Wansford Lock. The lock was originally built to accommodate Humber Keels, which are up to 61 feet long and 14.5 feet wide. Whinhill Lock was one of the four original locks on the canal, which was completed in 1770. The swing bridge at Whinhill was fixed in place in 1955, during the period of decline of the canal.

Whinhill lock was restored in 2005 but is currently only usable by boats that are less than 15 feet long because a fixed bridge was constructed over the lock chamber, however this has been raised a few extra feet to make it easier.

The paddles are operated by handspikes, ensure that the gates and paddles are shut at the other end of the lock.

Town Lock

Town Lock, also known as Sheepwash Lock, is one of the six locks on the 11-mile (18 km) Driffield Navigation. The lock is located on the canal section of the navigation, near the centre of the market town of Driffield. In 1996, Town Lock was fully restored by volunteers and through fundraising efforts.

The paddles are operated by handspikes, ensure that the gates and paddles are shut at the other end of the lock. Please do not cross the bungalow’s garden unless it is to operate that side of the lock.

There is a floating jetty below the lock, and a wingwall on the east bank for landing.