The Lancaster Canal
One of John Rennie's engineering masterpieces, the Lancaster Canal provided a facility for shipping bulk cargo between Preston and Kendal. It was originally designed in the late 1700s, although not actually completed until 1826, and should have connected with the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and hence onto the great canal network covering much of England. There was also a branch of the canal to Glasson Dock. Sadly, the Ribble Link, as the connection to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal was called, was never connected until recently - in 2002; long after the canal ceased as a significant trading route.
 

The video (left) shows parts of the canal in the Preston area, including the connecting basin to the Ribble Link.

The video (right) shows most of the canal from Bridge 17 to Bridge 35.
 
  
 

I am hoping to photograph the whole route of the canal from Preston to Kendal, together with the branch to Glasson Dock and the Ribble Link. The photographs you see in the galleries indicated below are largely complete in themselves but not all the route has been covered yet due to time and weather constraints. The photographs depict views of almost every yard (metre!) of the canal as though walking in a South to North direction i.e. from Preston to Kendal. This means that the towing path is on the left of the photograph in almost all cases. In the case of the Glasson Branch, the towing path is on the right when walking from East to West. The photographs have been taken at various times throughout the year in a variety of weather and lighting conditions.

Click on the photographs below to view each gallery of photographs.
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from the Preston end to Bridge 15 at Ingol.  
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 15 to Bridge 23 at Salwick.  
The Ribble Link Basin and Lock Gate.  
Ribble Link Basin to Lea Road. First part of the Ribble Link.  
Lea Road to where the footpath has been closed for a new road construction. Second part of the Ribble Link. A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 100 to Bridge 105.
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 23 to Bridge 29 - Kellet's or Fletcher's Bridge near the M55 Motorway.

A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 105 to Bridge 107 (Lune Aqueduct).
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 29 to Bridge 34.

A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 107 (Lune Aqueduct) to Bridge 109.
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 34 to Bridge 41.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 41 to Bridge 44.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 44 to Bridge 49.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 49 to Bridge 53.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 53 to Bridge 58 - Gallery 1.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 53 to Bridge 58 - Gallery 2.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 58 to Bridge 59.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 59 to Bridge 60.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 60 to the Wyre Aquaduct.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from the Wyre Aquaduct to Bridge 62. A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 164 to Bridge 166.
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 62 to Bridge 63. A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 166 to Bridge 167.
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 63 to Bridge 63b.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 63b to Bridge 64.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 64 to Bridge 66.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 66 to Bridge 67.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 67 to Bridge 68.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 68 to Bridge 71.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 71 to Bridge 74.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 74 to Bridge 75.    
If you're near Garstang and feeling hungry, the Roasting Joint at 18 High St, Garstang, Preston PR3 1FA is an ideal place to buy some freshly baked pies.
Another wonderful pie shop is Hamlet's at 68 Church St, Garstang, Preston PR3 1YA

 

 

    

by Elliott and Sue
       
 
       

 

 

 

 
 

 

A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 75 to Bridge 77.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 77 to Bridge 78.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 78 to Bridge 80.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 80 to Bridge 81.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 81 to Bridge 83.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 83 to Bridge 84.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 84 to Bridge 85 and on to the Glasson Flight Locks.    
Glasson Branch - from the Junction with the Lancaster Canal to Bridge 3.    
Glasson Branch - Bridge 3 to Bridge 4.    
Glasson Branch - Lock 4 and Bridge 4 to Glasson Dock at Glasson Basin - Lock 7 - Part One.    
Glasson Branch - Lock 4 and Bridge 4 to Glasson Dock at Glasson Basin - Lock 7 - Part Two.    
 
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from the Junction with the Glasson Branch to Bridge 86.  
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 86 to Bridge 88.  
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 88 to Bridge 90.  
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 90 to Bridge 91.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 91 to Bridge 92.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 92 to Bridge 94.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 94 to Bridge 95.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 95 to Bridge 97.    
A walk along the Lancaster Canal from Bridge 97 to Bridge 100.    
   
 

 

 

    
       
       
       

 

A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) by the side of the Lancaster Canal.

 

   

 

 

All text, photographs, videos and other items published on this website are copyright © Alan J Cook unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. No part of this website shall be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the copyright holder.
music tracks on videos from: Royalty Free Music by Bensound | Stock Music
background graphic by Vecteezy (https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/graphics-background-design)