Local wildlife

This idyllic rural waterway is one of our top canals for wildlife in the country. Once threatened, the canal was saved by the work of energetic local volunteers and campaigners, and is now home to three Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The Pocklington Canal runs for 9.5 miles between East Cottingwith and Canal Head at Pocklington. The Pocklington Canal Amenity Society have restored the section from the River Derwent to the Melbourne Arm back to navigation, approximately half the length of the canal. Together with the Amenity Society, we’re currently working to extend the navigation to Bielby Arm, which will increase the navigable section by around two miles.

The majority of the canal is designated as SSSI for its wildlife value, with the lower reaches lying within the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve. The towpath that runs along the canal is a great place for spotting the brilliant blue flash of a kingfisher or dragonflies darting above the reeds.