Lancaster |
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Bulk Aqueduct  |
Former Mill  |
Bridge 101  |
Watertower & Spire  |
Lady Fiona  |
Packet Boat House  |
| Packet Boat House entrance  |
| Restored Packet Boat House  |
Facility Block  |
Beyond Bridge 98a  |
Waterwitch Pub  |
Bridge 98a  |
Bridge 95  |
Passing under the West Coast Main Line you quickly arrive at the British Waterways Lancaster Office. At the southern end of the yard is the 'Packet Boat House'. This was used for repairing packet or passenger boats between 1833 and 1843. The buildings held two boats with workshops above and contained a hoist by which boats could be lifted to the upper floors. Note that the front is skewed - this allowed the launching of these long thin boats. Just north of the B.W.B. yard with its facilities is one of the few turnover bridges on the canal (No. 98). These allowed the horse towing the barge to change sides of the canal, without unhitching. Years of wear by the towropes has resulted in an iron Bridge plate on the towing path side being badly worn. Beyond Bridge 98 are two large canal basins and the Waterwitch public house, which used to be canal stables. The basins were originally covered and were used for the loading/unloading of barges.
This is the best place to moor and discover the City of Lancaster . The canal passes canal side mills, many of which have been put to new use, as offices and housing Between bridges 102 and 103 are excellent views over the city and to the castle and priory on the hill. The canal winds north from Lancaster then suddenly turns left across Bulk Aqueduct over the main road to the M6. Rennie's original narrow stone structure was replaced in 1961 to allow road widening. The canal continues along a huge embankment to the Lune aqueduct.
Lune Aqueduct; The aqueduct was formally opened on 22nd November 1797. It took five years to build and cost £48,000. It stands on wooden piles, driven twenty feet under the riverbed and is 5l feet (15.5m) above the river and 664 feet (202m) long. Designed by Rennie and built from local stone, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful aqueducts in the country and is a listed building. It is certainly the finest piece of engineering on the Lancaster Canal.
Lancaster; This historic city and port still retains much of its character. It was originally the site of a Roman fortress and a crossing of the River Lune but it was only created a city by King George VI on 14th May 1937. Lancaster was the home of the House of Lancaster and John O'Gaunt's statue dominates the City from over the castle gateway. Bonnie Prince Charlie made his headquarters in the town during; the Jacobite Rebellion. A shoe from his horse can be seen cast into one of the paving stones in Market Street. Lancaster was once a thriving port but the old quays are now deserted and the extensive warehouses are being converted to dwellings. The old quayside now provides a pleasant tree lined walk.