Lancaster Canal
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s a
breath
of fresh air
Find your nearest canal at waterscape.com
Lancaster Canal
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s a
The Lancaster Canal is one of the most scenic canals in the country. This gentle
waterway offers wonderful views of the Silverdale coast, Forest of Bowland
and the rolling countryside of Wyre. It stretches over 41 miles from Preston to
Tewitfield on one level, and is unusual for a canal as it doesn’t have any locks.
When it was completed and fully opened in 1826, the Lancaster Canal was
nicknamed ‘the Black and White Canal’ as it originally carried coal from the
south and limestone from the north. Passengers on ‘packet boats’ could travel
from Kendal to Preston, or vice versa, in around eight hours.
national treasure
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s a wildlife
documentary
A canal is like a nature reserve, several metres wide
and many miles long. You might see kingfishers,
water voles, dragonflies, bats or herons. They’ve all
been seen on or by canals. Who knows, on your
local canal you could even be an otter spotter!
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s time
well spent
It’s all about pace. Not the pace we live with everyday,
but a slower more relaxed one. Getting that quality time
for family, friends or just for you in a place that suits the
mood. What better place but your local canal.
Key canal sites
1
Carnforth
A typical Lancashire market town with great views
over Morecambe Bay. You can also visit Carnforth
Station – where Brief Encounter was filmed.
www.carnforth-station.co.uk
Lancaster
The canal runs through the heart of Lancaster,
just five minutes from the pedestrianised shopping
centre. Originally a Roman settlement, Lancaster is
a pleasant sightseeing or shopping stop. There are
2
lots of interesting attractions including Lancaster
3 Castle, Lancaster City Museum and Lancaster
Maritime Museum. For more information on these
4
and other attractions in Lancaster please contact
1 Lancaster Tourist Information Centre,
29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN
Tel: 01524 32878
www.lancaster.gov.uk
www.waterscape.com/lancaster or
www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk
5
Glasson Dock
When the Glasson Branch was opened in 1826
it gave the Lancaster Canal access to the sea.
However, when Preston Dock opened, Glasson
changed from a thriving port to the quiet village it is
today. The village has two pubs, the Lock Keeper’s
6
7
2
8
Rest snack bar and a café serving breakfasts,
afternoon teas, and fish & chips. The Lancaster
Smokehouse on West Quay is also worth a visit.
The canalside café and craft shop at Galgate is a
good starting point for a short walk to the top of
the Glasson flight of locks. It is also a superb
location to view wildlife.
Garstang
The site of a canal basin popular with boaters and
wildfowl, Garstang was an established coaching
stop in the 18th century. The town’s history goes
back beyond the Domesday Book, and even the
famous weekly market dates back to 1310.
Th’Owd Tithe Barn, built around 1720, is a good
place for a drink overlooking the canal basin.
More information: The Discovery Centre,
High Street, Garstang PR3 1FU Tel: 01995 602125
Brock
Barton Grange Garden Centre. This award-winning
centre opened in March 2008 and is the perfect
venue for a day out, with all-weather plant shopping,
Riverside Café, Willows Restaurant and a superb farm
shop. A new cookshop is planned for summer 2009.
There is also a marina offering canal cruises.
Garstang Road, Brock, Preston PR3 0BT
Tel: 01995 642900 www.bartongrange.co.uk
9 Bilsborrow
10 A famously picturesque village in an attractive
canalside location. There are thatched cottages,
craft shops, and the renowned Owd Nell’s pub.
Ducks flock for the duck food which is sold at
the pub.
Preston
Situated in the heart of the County of Lancashire,
Preston’s history dates back to the Domesday
Book. It is a great place to visit for all the
family as well as being a gateway to some of
Lancashire’s finest countryside. There are a whole
host of attractions for the family to enjoy including
the Ribble Steam Museum, The National Football
Museum and the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.
For further information on these attractions
please visit: www.visitpreston.com
Water Link
Lancaster Canal, Past, Present and Future
Date: 30 May-12 September 2009
Venue: The Museum of Lancashire,
Stanley Street, Preston PR1 4YP
Tel: 01772 534075
Email: museums.enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk
Throughout history, the Lancaster Canal has been a
vital link between the urban centres of the North
West – Preston, Lancaster and Kendal. An important
goods route for trade and industry, it also formed
an impressive passenger transport service in the
age before railways, linking communities of the
region together.
This exhibition will be moving to Lancaster Maritime
Museum in Lancaster from
26 September 2009-25 January 2010.
The Millennium Ribble Link
One of Britain’s newest inland waterways, the four mile
Millennium Ribble Link connects the once isolated
Lancaster Canal with the main navigable system.
A footpath, cycleway and nature trail run alongside
the link down to lock 8. For further details please
visit: www.waterscape.com
Preston Docks
Europe’s largest single dock basin, Preston docks is
now a popular venue for leisure, entertainment and
shopping. The annual Riversway Festival will be held
this year from 24-26 July 2009.
www.prestondocks.co.uk
For more things to do and see in Lancashire please
visit: www.visitlancashire.com
Amazing architecture
There are approximately 150 protected structures, including 22 aqueducts all designed by Regency engineer,
John Rennie. The most famous is the spectacular stone-built Lune Aqueduct where the canal crosses the River Lune.
Tea for Two
at Barton Grange Garden Centre
on the canalside at Brock, just north of Bilsborrow
Where to eat and drink
This is just a small selection of the many eating and drinking places next to, or close by, the canal.
Use this voucher to claim a free hot or cold drink of your choice for
two people at The Riverside Café, Barton Grange Garden Centre, Brock.
Voucher expires 30th September 2009. Photocopies will not be accepted.
1 Canal Turn
Lancaster Road,
Carnforth LA5 9EE
Tel: 01524 734750
2 The Royal Hotel
The waterbus stops at the rear
of this hotel.
Main Street, Bolton-le-Sands
LA5 8DQ Tel: 01524 732057
www.mitchellshotels.co.uk
3 Hest Bank
Hest Bank Lane, Hest Bank,
Lancaster LA2 6DN
Tel: 01524 824339
4 White Cross
The waterbus stops near here.
Quarry Road, Lancaster LA1 4XT
Tel: 01524 33999
5 The Water Witch
6
7
8
9
The Tow Path, Lancaster LA1 1SU
Tel: 01524 63828
The Mill Inn
Condor Green, Lancaster LA2 0BD
Tel: 01524 752852
Dalton Arms
Ten Row, West Quay,
Glasson Dock LA2 0BZ
Tel: 01524 751213
Victoria Inn
Glasson Dock, Lancaster LA2 0BT
Tel: 01524 751423
Canalside Craft Centre
Galgate, Lancaster LA2 0LQ
Tel: 01524 752223
www.canalsidecraftcentre.com
Th’Owd Tithe Barn
The Wharf, Church Street,
Garstang PR3 1PA
Tel: 01995 604486
Riverside Café &
Willows Restaurant
Garstang Road,
Brock PR3 0BT
Tel: 01995 642900
Owd Nell’s
Canal Side, St Michaels Road,
Bilsborrow PR3 0RS
Tel: 01995 640010
Hand and Dagger
Treales Road, Salwick,
Preston PR4 0SA
Tel: 01772 690306
Get out and about
Where to walk
There are two self-guided walks for the
Lancaster Canal:
• Lancaster to Glasson Circular Walk, 16 miles
• Lancaster to Glasson, 3½ hours plus bus journey
These are available from www.waterscape.com/lancaster
Lancaster City Council, Wyre Borough Council and Preston
City Council also offer walks, some guided, which you can
find out more about on their websites www.lancaster.gov.uk;
www.wyrebc.gov.uk; www.visitpreston.com
Where to cycle
The Lancaster Canal’s flat towpaths are ideal for cyclists.
You can find out which stretches are open for cycling –
from www.waterscape.com/cycling and find out about
the Lune Millennium Cycleway on the Lancashire Local
Government website. Bicycles are available to hire from
Budgie Bikes.
www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/countryside
www.budgietransport.co.uk
Canal Cycle Route 62 Preston – using the canal towpath,
the Canal Cycle Route links Cottam and Ingol with the
City Centre and University www.visitpreston.com
Where to fish
You can fish along the whole length of the Lancaster
Canal. Permits are available from the British Waterways
Wigan office.
British Waterways, Waterside House, Waterside
Drive, Wigan WN3 5AZ Tel: 01942 405700
Email: enquiries.northwest@britishwaterways.co.uk
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s a
chat room
Water is good for you. You only have to stroll, sit, eat,
drink or just chat beside a canal and you can feel yourself
unwind, let go of the stresses of life and generally enjoy
yourself more. Try life in the slow lane by your canal.
YOUR LOCAL CANAL
It’s free
gym membership
Leave the monthly fees, machines and MTV behind and
get fit for free. Your local canal is your chance to get out
of the gym onto the towpath and remind yourself that
getting fit is about fun, fresh air and freedom.
Events 2009
Here is just a small selection of events taking place in
and around the Lancaster Canal in 2009. For further
information on events please visit:
www.waterscape.com/lancaster; www.wyrebc.gov.uk
www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk; www.visitpreston.com
Riversway Festival, Preston 24-26 July 2009
Taking place at Preston Docks, the Riversway Festival
promises to be a fantastic family day out.
www.prestonriverswayfestival.co.uk for more details.
Garstang Agricultural Show 1 August 2009
Visitors will be spoilt for choice with events including
a flower show, craft tent, food hall, fairground rides
and trade stalls.
Visit www.garstangshow.org
Garstang Arts and Music Festival
22-31 August 2009
A spectacular festival celebrating music and
the arts. Tickets for the festival can be purchased
from the Garstang Discovery Centre.
Garstang Discovery Centre, High Street, Garstang,
Lancashire PR3 1FU Tel: 01995 600551
Guy’s Oyster Festival 3-8 September 2009
Visit the quaint, canalside surroundings of Guy’s
Thatched Hamlet for a festival packed with fun and
entertainment, including Irish craic, live music,
singing, and dancing.
Guys Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, Garstang,
Lancashire PR3 0RS Tel: 01995 640010
There are also events and activities throughout
the year, hosted by the Lancaster Canal Trust.
www.lctrust.co.uk or visit www.waterscape.com/events
A day afloat is great fun!
£25 off boat day hire
Take to the water
16 Lancaster Canal Packet Boats
There is a waterbus service plus boats are available
for hire for parties, corporate events and wedding
receptions. A range of canal trips are also offered,
including fish and chip supper cruises, dinner cruises,
and quiz nights. Boat hire is also available.
Unit 10 Victoria Court, Penny Street, Lancaster LA1 1XN
Tel: 01524 389410 www.budgietransport.co.uk
Lancaster Canal Boats
Monday & Friday Cruise Offers.
1 /2 hour cruises between Barton Grange,
Garstang, Galgate and Lancaster.
1
Only £4.00 per person with this voucher. Valid for 2 people.
Offer for a limited period only and may be withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.
Bumbles Boat Hire
The Boathouse, Canal Wharf, Catforth, Preston
PR4 0HE Tel: 01772 691010 (not shown on the map)
18 Party Boats Limited
Olde Duncombe House, Garstang Road,
Bilsborrow, Preston PR3 0RE Tel: 01995 640336
19 Arlen Hire Boats
Ashton Basin, Preston PR2 2SD Tel: 01772 769183
www.arlen-hireboats.co.uk
20 Bridgehouse Marina
Nateby Crossing Lane, Nateby,
near Garstang PR3 0JJ Tel: 01995 603207
www.bridgehousemarina.co.uk
21 Water Babies
14 Scholars Rise, Eagley, Bolton BL7 9BH
Tel: 01204 304339 www.water-babies.co.uk
(Canal boats based at Forton)
BOOKY
TODA
Not only is it fun it’s also great value. Get a group of friends or family together and hire a boat
for the day and enjoy a great day out on the water. Most boats hold eight people and hire starts
from as little as £95 per boat per day. And, if you log on to waterscape.com/offers you can
download a voucher to get a £25 discount off your booking. It’s yours to enjoy for even less!
17 Water Farm Boat Hire
68 Lancaster Road, Overton, Lancs LA3 3EZ
Tel: 01524 853940 www.waterfarmboathire.co.uk
Ring 01524 389410 for details
www.budgietransport.co.uk
Photocopies will not be accepted. Voucher valid until 31.12.09
Canoeing
With no locks, the Lancaster Canal is ideal for
canoeing. You can get more information on canoeing
on the canal from: www.waterscape.com
Garstang Canoe Club Tel: 01772 861771
Ribble Canoe Club Tel: 01772 729137
British Canoe Union (BCU) Tel: 0115 982 1100
Inclusion in this leaflet does not constitute a recommendation.
To
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YOUR LOCAL CANAL Lancaster Canal
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Information
Picnic Area
Preston
13
Hand and Dagger
2½ miles east
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Pub, Restaurant or Café
Place of Interest
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This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright.
Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. British Waterways, 100019843,2007
A583 Riversway
72 W
A50
For further information please contact
British Waterways, Waterside House, Waterside Drive, Wigan WN3 5AZ
Tel: 01942 405700 E-mail: enquiries.northwest@britishwaterways.co.uk
British Waterways Customer Service Centre Tel: 01923 201120
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