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Local
Outdoor Attractions |
Glasson
Dock, Glasson Village.
 Glasson
grew up around a harbour opened in 1787, following the demise of Lancaster
as a port. The Lancaster Canal is linked to the port via a large basin.
The canal was important in affording swift distribution of cargo landed
at the port into the heart of industrial Lancashire. Glasson is still a
thriving port handling over 150,000 tonnes of cargo annually. Attractive
and interesting environment with walks right round the harbour. Large public
car park.
Jubilee
Tower, Clougha Access Area.
 The
Tower, built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, makes a superb
viewing platform. From this exposed but beautiful location high on the fells
there is a superb view over the Fylde and North Lancashire coast line.
The
Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB).
 This
AONB covers the south and east of the Lune Valley, but this is just a fraction
of what makes up the eleventh largest AONB in England & Wales. Designated
in 1964, the AONB is actually two separate but close sections - the Pendle
Hill section is physically detached from the Forest of Bowland section but
both share the title. The Forest of Bowland was one of the first areas to
provide Camping and Bunkhouse Barns but of the 5 opened in 1990 only the
one at Quernmore is in the Lancaster District. The Barns provide basic accommodation
for people who want to enjoy the countryside and bring in a little income
for those who have to tend it. Both Bull Beck Picnic Site and the Crook
O' Lune Picnic Site are within the Forest of Bowland AONB.
For details contact the Countryside Management Officer on 00 44 (0)1772
26418
Carnforth.
It is thought that Carnforth's origins go back to marauding Danes who settled
there, with the name derived from the crossing point on the River Keer.
In 1651 the army of Charles II struck camp at Carnforth on its way to Scotland.
The association between the railways and Carnforth dates back to the mid
1800s when the first station opened. In time, Carnforth became an important
point in the rail network as it formed the junction of three railway lines.
Carnforth Station was the location for the classic film "Brief Encounter"
starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. Trains on the electrified West
Coast line no longer stop at Carnforth but it is the starting point for
the scenic route around the Bay to the Furness Peninsula and West Cumbrian
coast. There are plans to develop the Station site as part of a larger regeneration
programme for the town.
Warton
Crag.
Warton Crag is a prominent limestone outcrop which stands sentinel over
the village. The limestone pavement is of a very high quality and of national
importance. The weather in this part of the country, and the protection
afforded by the trees and shrubs on the hillside, has created in the fissures
of the pavement a micro-climate in which many species have flourished. To
the north west of the summit lie the remains of the Iron Age fortifications,
the vantage point affording superb views north to the Cumbrian hills, east
to the Pennines and south to the Lancashire plain. The paths to the summit
are clearly marked and there is a car park near Warton. For more information
contact the Arnside/Silverdale Countryside Management Project on 00 44 (0)1524
761034
Silverdale.
Silverdale is a charming village, given some prominence by the writings
of Victorian novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell, after whom the village hall is
named. She often visited Lindeth Tower, close to the present day Wolf House
Gallery.
Jenny
Brown's Point, Silverdale.
Just south of the village lies Jenny Brown's Point and from here there are
splendid panoramic views south across the Bay from Clougha right round to
Black Combe in Cumbria, with Morecambe and Heysham prominent in the centre.
There are interesting circular walks from Silverdale which include Jenny
Brown's Point and the marshy shore.
Jack
Scout, Silverdale.
This promontory is owned by the National Trust and gives a superb view of
the Lakeland hills and fells. It is also a good point at which to watch
the Bore, the wall of water which signifies the advancing tide rushing up
the channel. Not quite as high or as impressive as the Severn Bore, but
the tide still moves rapidly to fill up the Bay.
The
Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The AONB, first designated in 1972, spans the County boundary between Lancashire
and Cumbria and covers an area of approximately 75 sq. kms. The main features
of the AONB are the small scale limestone hills, deciduous woodlands and
agricultural land which occurs in the valleys. Within a small area there
is an intimate variation of scenery, including bare limestone pavements,
salt marsh, foreshore fen, parkland, woodland and agricultural land. The
area is particularly notable for the limestone pavement, which forms an
unique and irreplaceable landscape, now protected by Limestone Pavement
Orders.
For details contact the AONB Countryside Management Project on 00 44
(0)1524 761034
Leighton
Moss RSPB Nature Reserve.
Around 75 species of birds breed on the nature reserve, which is the largest
reedbed in the North West of England. Some rare species breed at Leighton
Moss and are there all year, including bittern, bearded tit and water rail.
Another rare species, marsh harriers, visit Leighton during the summer months.
Of the seven hides, four are accessible to disabled visitors. Closed only
on Christmas Day.
For details contact 00 44 (0)1524 701601
Trowbarrow
Quarry, Leighton Moss.
Just north of Leighton Moss is the gentle hill of Trowbarrow and quarrying
was carried out on the west-facing slope. This has left cliff faces rising
as high as 165ft which rock climbers have used for many years and there
are several nationally important routes. Even mountain bikers have found
the quarry bed a challenge but are welcomed because they play an important
role in keeping parts of these areas "open" to the benefit of certain flowers
and insects. The whole quarry exhibits natural features which have contributed
to it being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Biological
Heritage Site and a LOCAL REGION Nature Reserve. In addition, Limestone
Pavement Orders cover limestone pavement and scars.
Tewitfield
Locks, Near Borwick.
These 8 locks are unique on the Kendal to Preston canal in that they are
the only ones in the 57 miles of the original canal. The water of the canal
was raised by 75ft in half a mile but, sadly, this stretch is no longer
navigable.
Lancashire
Coastal Way.
At Glasson it is possible to join the Lancashire stretch of the Coastal
Way, a 137 mile footpath following the coastline between Merseyside and
Cumbria. The Lancashire stretch runs between the old Fylde village of Freckleton
in the south, to Silverdale, adjacent to the Cumbrian border.
For details contact 00 44 (0)1524 841656
Leck
Fell, Leck.
Overlooking Leck and Ireby in the north east of the District is Leck fell,
the highest point in Lancashire at 2058ft. The Fell is well worth visiting
for its limestone scenery and archaeological sites.
The
Great Stone of Fourstones, Tatham Fells.
This great stone stands on the boundary where Lancashire meets Yorkshire.
The stone offers spectacular views over the Lake District, the Yorkshire
Dales and the Forest of Bowland.
Wray Village.
Wray is a delightful village with an interesting and well-preserved main
street. In early May the village is taken over and inhabited by scarecrows
who magically appear each year for the Wray Fair and Scarecrow Festival.
Crook
O' Lune, Near Caton.
This is a popular and attractive spot, where the Lune meanders in a big
curve through tree-lined banks. The river passes under Penny Bridge (formerly
a toll bridge) and the bridge which carried the former Lancaster to Hellifield
railway line, which is now part of an extensive network of cycleways and
footpaths. The beauty of the Crook O' Lune was captured by the artist JMW
Turner, and described by the poets Thomas Gray (of Gray's "Elegy") and William
Wordsworth.
Crook
O' Lune Picnic Site, near Caton.
On the northern bank, just past the Penny Bridge, is a picnic site and car
park. The view up the Lune Valley is superb, looking north east to the majestic
plateau of Ingleborough. There is a network of footpaths which emanate from
here and details are contained on maps in the car park. Light refreshments
are available at times and there is a public toilet.
Bull
Beck Picnic Site, Caton Green.
Like the Crook O' Lune Picnic Site, there is parking, a snack bar and toilets.
Excellent starting-off point for walks in the Lune Valley, or for using
the nearby cycleway. From here it is possible to cycle along this bank of
the Lune right through to Glasson. In Lancaster City centre cyclists can
switch over to a cycleway which takes them right into the heart of Morecambe.
Lune
Riverside Walk.
The pathway between Lancaster and Caton is a good way to see some interesting
features on and around the river. The River Lune is noted for its salmon
and September and October are the best times to see them, along with the
many sea trout which are also to be found in the river. The Environment
Agency monitors fish stocks and movements and in 1996 over 2000 salmon and
sea trout went over Forge Weir. In the 1960s a disease hit salmon nationally
and, whilst LOCAL REGION stocks have still not fully recovered, the number
of salmon is rising steadily. Over 13,000 fish are now recorded annually
in the Lune.
Clougha,
Quernmore.
Clougha Pike (413 metres) is part of an Access Area which, including the
Wardstone and Tarnbook, covers some 1,717 acres. Access Areas are areas
of open country whereby under agreements between individual land owners
and the County Council walkers are given the freedom to roam the moors and
fells. However, dogs are NOT allowed, even on a lead. The high gritstone
moors are a unique place for birdwatching.
Over
Wyresdale.
This south eastern part of Lancaster District is the approach to the Trough
of Bowland and has a beauty of its own, especially in August, when the fells
are covered with the heather in bloom. Look out for the hamlet of Abbeystead,
and the nearby Abbeystead estate, owned by the Duke of Westminster.
Music
in the Fells - Tatham Fells Church
Music in the Fells is a series of concerts held in the intimate yet
truly inspirational setting of the Parish Church of the Good Shepherd in
Tatham Fells. The church recently underwent a programme of restoration
and refurbishment, and is now a stunning performance space seating around
100 people. Visiting performers travel from across the country to play
at the Church, and many have praised the building’s superb acoustic quality.
For further details: www.musicinthefells.org.uk
Information
by kind permission of Lancaster
City Council
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