Bilsborrow |
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Owd Nells Tavern  |
Guy's Eating Establihment  |
Largest Thatched Eyebrow Window In Europe  |
Billsborow Lady  |
Moorings at Bilsborrow  |
Facilities at Bilsborrow  |
Moons Bridge Marina  |
Bridge 33 is in fact an aqueduct carrying the canal over Woodplumpton brook and is worth a closer look. There were originally 22 aqueducts n the canal, all designed and built by John Rennie. One has since been destroyed and another replaced. No two are alike and the traveller should stop and examine the larger ones as they represent fine examples of canal building. Woodplumpton village itself is best reached from bridge 35 or 36, and the churchyard is reputed to contain the body of a witch and can be identified by the large boulder covering the grave so, as legend has it, to prevent the witch from digging her way out.
Close by bridge 35 is the former village workhouse, now used as offices. Bridge 36 is a swing bridge, one of only three built on this canal, and is normally shut against the canal. One bridge has disappeared, the other remaining being Hatlex Swing bridge, at Hest Bank. But it should be left closed after use.
Just beyond lies Hollowforth Mill, now a private residence, but once a water mill. Hollowforth Aqueduct (bridge 38) is an interesting three arch structure and one may walk through the northernmost arch. From bridge 39 it is a short walk to the village of Barton. There are bus services back to Preston or north to Garstang and Lancaster.
The canal now enters an entirely rural landscape, remote from major roads. From bridge 42 it is a short walk to White Horse on the A6 where there is a pub, garage, post office and telephone. The village of Bilsborrow is marked on some maps as Duncombe. A mile west of bridge 44 lies the campus of the Lancashire College of Agriculture and Horticulture, which is open to the public on certain days.
Just before bridge 45, the canal widens into a basin and one may just discern the remains of a former barge. Petrol may be obtained from a garage on the A6, a short distance away.
