Garstang walk

On Saturday April 16, 2011 however, spring was in the air and I was able to enjoy my stroll without having to wear a coat.

With the hours of daylight I was able to go further afield and I have always enjoyed my visits to the market town of Garstang which has a hauntingly beautiful castle which to me has always been an ideal place to picnic.

1. From Th’owd Tythe Barn turn left and then cross the road.

Turn left again and go over the canal bridge and then approach the stone steps onto the Lancaster Canal. Turn right.

Look over the canal to the left to see the Th’owd Tythe Barn set close to the Canal basin.

Continue to follow the canal to reach a very historic aqueduct.

2. At the Aqueduct, said to be the masterpiece of the canal engineer John Rennie, turn down to the bank of the River Wyre and turn right following the Wyre Way footpath.

Follow the riverside path to the site of what was an old Corn Mill and pass through this developed area.

It is easy to imagine this mill area in the Middle Ages when Garstang was just a hamlet but one which was self-sufficient.

There were lots of fish in the river and a working corn mill. From the old mill complex cross the road and look for a track on the opposite side of the road.

This follows a winding route up to Greenhalgh Castle reached on the left on a hill overlooking the river and the town.

Greenhalgh was the last of the English Castles to be built, this was in 1490 on the orders of the Earl of Derby.

3. Explore the castle but the route passes a farm on the right to reach an obvious footpath to the left. This leads alongside a sports field.

Then comes a riverside track with plenty of seats which are all ideal resting or picnic sites.

4. Continue along this track to reach a pay and display car park and toilet block. Here is situated an impressive Discovery and Information Centre.

On the opposite of the road is the Arts Centre which was once the town’s grammar school. This was built in 1792 and continued to function until 1928.

5. Turn left along the main road to the Market Square and here time should be taken to explore the old coaching town with its shops, alleys and inns with stabling to the rear.

The first market charter was granted by Edward II in 1310 and there is still an open air Thursday market to this day.

Here is the chance to linger and do some shopping with local produce being a feature of this market. Take time to explore the alley ways which are called Weinds.

These were built so that in the event of an attack gates could seal off the Weinds and although the gates have gone there is plenty of evidence to indicate just how effective these protections were.

6. From the market cross continue down the main road and turn right to the parish church and then back to the starting point at Th’owd Tythe Barn.

How to get there

From the M6 turn off at Junction 32 to join the A6.

Follow the road to reach Garstang. At the centre of Garstang turn left to the Tythe Barn hostelry close to the Lancaster Canal.

There is parking for customers but there is a pay and display area close by.

Distance: 3 miles.