Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Altofts is an outlier of Normanton, a settlement based on the canal trade. Down the hill
from the village is King's Road Lock. Further down on the same side are the remains of Fox-
holes Side Lock, which served Foxholes Basin, now filled in.
Below the farm at Penbank, which is marked with a sign like that of a public house, the
Fairies Hill Lock Cut still exists on the right, formerly taking in Altofts Lock, Altofts Basin
and Fairies Hill Lock. These have been replaced by the 4.1m deep Woodnook Lock. This en-
ables the navigation to rejoin the River Calder above the railway viaduct rather than below it.
The Fairies Hill Lock Cut and a colliery basin emerge together on the right, midway
between the railway viaduct and another around the following bend. They are followed soon
after by a further bridge for a dismantled railway, such was the proliferation of lines in this
area. Castleford station now uses a single platform.
The river takes a relatively straight line in the vicinity of Castleford Mere, cutting between
various oxbow lakes in former meanders. A tank farm is passed on the right before arriving
at a water crossroads with the River Aire at Castleford Junction.
