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The Lune Bridges

Start: Lancaster Railway Station or Bus Station.This walk is highly accessible by public transport. For car users there are a number of city centre car parks. The one oppositeSainsbury's and near the bus station being the most convenient. Car users wishing to avoid car park fees might considerstarting the walk at the Crook O'Lune Picnic Site and following directions from there.

Distance: 13 Km or 8¼ milesTime: 3 - 3½ hoursTerrain: Very easy. On south bank whole length follows old railway line along cycle route. Return is less straightforward butmainly flat. There are numerous opportunities to shorten the described walk, which will be indicated in the description.

1. Lancaster to Crook O'Lune (6 Km or 3¾ miles: 1½ - 2 hours)There really isn't too much to describe! From the station follow signs for the Castle and St George's Quay.(Pic 1)

Beyond the imposing Priory Church the footpath drops down to the cycle trail.(Pic 2) Turn right and quickly arrive at theMillennium Bridge. (Pic 3)

The trail is well signed with frequent information points which, where they haven't been mistreated by vandals, providehistorical information on nearby points of interest. With the river on your left proceed along the well laid out cycle track -tarmac all the way to Crook O' Lune. (Pic 4)

Beyond the two road bridges the trail enters a tree-lined section which screens you from commercial and industrialunits along the A683.(pic 5) After 30mins you will come to the impressive aqueduct of the Lancaster Canal that spans theriver.

This is well worth closer inspection and a flight of steps to the right will take you up to the canal. Designed by JohnRennie and completed in 1797 it is an oft overlooked wonder of the age of canals. As you meditate and pause by its quietwaters consider that it was constructed without any of the power machinery that would have been used in taking the M6(15mins walk upstream) across the river. It was built with manpower supplemented by some horse power. From start tofinish it took just under three years at a cost of £48,000! Please be impressed!

[The aqueduct also is an opportunity to shorten the walk] On completion of inspection, return to riverside and walk upto and beyond the M6 crossing. At Halton the metal road bridge is another chance to reduce the length of the walk if time is anissue. (Pic 6)

Just beyond the bridge a well preserved railway platform building indicates the former use of the route you arefollowing. (Pic 7)

You are on the old Skipton to Morecambe line. In another 25 mins you will arrive at the Crook O' Lune. If time allowsfollow the directions up to Gray's Viewpoint. Thomas Gray of the "Elegy" fame, described the scene he saw as possessing"Every feature which constitutes a perfect landscape." Once again he is talking about Lancashire, folks!

2. Crook O' Lune to Lancaster (7 Km or 4½ miles: 2 hours.)As the trail crosses the tight meander of the river that gives this reach its name, be prepared for a little perplexity. The

line of the old railway is briefly on the north bank of the river. It then crosses the river again. Your way back to Lancasterbegins at the rear of the car park for the picnic site. Incidentally there is a friendly tea bar and information point on the lowercar park. You are led to a footpath walled off from the (busy) lane. At a gap in the wall look for a footpath opposite that leadsdown through woods to the riverbank. (Pic 8)

This section provides some relief after the relative monotony of the cycle route. After 10mins a junction is reached.Turn left towards the river to arrive at a pier on a weir. (Pic 9) Nearby an information point will tell you that this is the site ofthe old Halton Iron Works. Continue downstream on a track that leads through an area of old workshops and then a newresidential development to Halton itself. [By crossing the bridge you can regain the cycle route if desired.] (Pic 10&11)

On reaching the bridge turn right into the village and then left past the Greyhound pub and keep ahead at the miniroundabout. Here you may notice some interesting castellated houses (Were they built to keep out marauding Scots?) beforepassing beneath the M6. Immediately after the M6 turn left onto a footpath that leads down through trees back to the river andthe rear of Halton Army Camp. (Pic 12)

Depending on when you walk there may well be various types of military activity going on, some of which mayinvolve loud noises. As you reach the last building keep to the left of it to enter a wooded section of the trail. Soon you cometo the Aqueduct. (Pic 13) After it turn left onto a concrete flight of stairs and then, at river level follow the sidewalk towardsthe city. Across the river the Ashton Memorial dominates the skyline. Beyond the rowing club the route enters the residentialarea of Beaumont soon to be followed by Skerton. Ahead the striking profile of the Millennium Bridge will come into view.Should you lose your way at this stage you can always ask somebody.

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