Lancaster Canal is one of the most beautiful waterways in Britain. It winds through Lancaster east of the centre, passing several pleasant canalside pubs and restaurants as it goes.

Follow the towpath north and you will soon come to the famous Lancaster Aqueduct where the canal crosses high over the River Lune with views south over the city and north over verdant farmland.

Follow the towpath south from the city centre and within minutes you are in lovely peaceful countryside. It's a lovely walk, with flat easy going and popular with local joggers when the weather is nice.

If you're a strong walker you can make a day of it, following the canal to Galgate (6 miles) where you can get lunch and a bus back or if you're up to it you can take the right canal fork on to Glasson Dock, returning by the shorter estuary path that commences behind the Stork Hotel and follows the bank of the River Lune. But even the shortest of strolls takes you almost immediately into another world of overarching trees and peaceful water.

The canal teems with wildlife, and Lancaster children save their breadcrumbs for the ducklings and cygnets who are very tame and come in their dozens at the sight of a free meal!

The canal towpath through the city is now a popular cycle route. Going south out of Lancaster toward Galgate and Glasson the going can get heavier once the surfaced section ends and you are on grass - or mud (this softer going is more attractive to joggers and runners). Once you reach Glasson there is an excellent cycletrack back to town along the Lune estuary shoreline.

Northbound from Lancaster makes a fabulous ride - over the aqueduct past Beaumont and out to the sea at Hest Bank, passing narrowboat moorings and on beyond to Carnforth. Or you can turn off onto the Lune cyclepath out through Halton and Caton.

Another wonderful cycle ride links the Lancaster - Morecambe Millenium cycle path, the Morecambe Coastal cyclepath to Hest Bank and the canal cyclepath from Hest Bank to Lancaster (either way round). It's about 11 flat, scenic miles in a circular route. An absolute gift.

Download local cycling and walking route maps at
www.celebratingcycling.org

See Lancaster Canal Trust
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancaster_Canal

Lancaster Canal Packet Boats Waterbus Service
& Canal Cruises

Please contact us for timetables and further information, or to request a leaflet.

Canal boat trips on the traditional packet boat
Waterwitch, from Crooklands Bridge (B6385), 5 miles S of Kendal. Sundays in the Summer, 11am free, donations accepted, tel: 01524 781489.
See Lancaster Canal Trust

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