|
||
This is an amazingly picturesque canal offering lock free cruising (subject to winter stoppages). There is a great variety of wildlife including kingfishers! This combines with being an ideal base from which to explore the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire Coast and other areas of outstanding natural beauty. On the canal itself you have the delights of the spectacular Lune aqueduct, Lancaster city with it's castle and parks, and the Glasson Arm to the old port of Lancaster. There are many excellent canalside hostelries and a multi award winning garden centre at Barton Grange. The Lancaster Canal is unique. Being a contour canal (built along the
natural lie of the land), it has 41 miles with no locks and only 2 swing
bridges. This is the longest stretch in the country, and in fact the
only locks on the main length are derelict! These are at Tewitfield,
the southernmost point of the Northern Reaches, and as such are part
of the £50 million restoration scheme to reopen the 14 miles of
canal to Kendal. Though the canal was once busy with cargoes from Kendal, Preston and Lancaster, it was only connected to the national waterway network by the Millennium Ribble Link in 2002. Canal
Distances The Lancaster
Canal offers very picturesque lock free cruising for a leisurely week
or a slightly more hectic short break. There are plenty of canalside
pubs and lots to see including the Lancaster Maritime Museum (there
are plenty of hands-on exhibits for the kids!) at The Old Custom House,
St George's Quay, Lancaster. Lancaster is steeped in history from being originally the site of a Roman Fortress to the present day castle constructed in the 13th century and where the Pendle witches were put on trial. Stroll through the pedestrianised city centre, browsing in boutique shops and high street stores, and stop off for coffee and cakes at one of the popular coffee shops or out-of-the-way cafes. Up the hill lies Williamson Park with its Butterfly House and Ashton Memorial - the green-domed folly visible from many points in and around Lancaster. The old market town of Garstang is typical of the history encountered along this canal, from where there is a regular bus service to Blackpool for a change of scenery.
At Tewitfield, you can take a local bus ride to Kendal.
|
Map from alucard.co.uk for a wealth of information
about the Lancaster Canal, |
|
|
©
Goods Hire Boat Company Limited
|