Once restrictions were lifted slightly and we were allowed to travel and visit relatives in the garden, we went to see the mother-in-law who lives in Carnforth. With it being a nice sunny spring day we went for a walk. As she lives right near the canal it was the obvious place to go.
Carnforth is tucked into a crook of the great expanse of Morecambe Bay. Through this charming little town runs the Lancaster canal that originates in Kendal and ends in Preston and is one of the country’s few coastal canals. With 41 miles of lock-free canal, which is the longest stretch in the country, the canal is naturally level and so lends itself to gentle walks.
We started at the Canal Turn car park which is a charming little pub overlooking the canal (highly recommend a visit). Whilst here we saw a swan in its nest and its partners flying in from a trip somewhere.
Our usual route, we turn left and walk towards Kellet Road to the playground there but I decided we'd go right on this walk. The mother-in-law then decided to take us to a place locally known as Springfields. We took a gentle walk to Thwaite End Bridge and crossed over onto Mount Pleasant Lane. As this was April there was some lovely blossom on the canalside.
We didn't follow this road, we went off onto the track that runs alongside the canal that took us through fields and one that happens to have a spring running through it, hence the name Springfields. The husband used to play here as a lad. Here the land wasn't as flat as the towpath and there was a steep hill to climb as we rejoined Mount Pleasant Lane. As we walked, there were tantalising hints of what amazing views could be had the higher we went.
From the top, we had vast views of Morecambe Bay. Morecambe Bay is a large estuary that is just to the south of the Lake District. It stretches from the southwest coast of Cumbria to Fleetwood. It is a great place to experience amazing sunsets, discover natural landscapes. A friend has just recently started up a business giving out guided tours around the Bay and surrounding areas, Natures Gems Tours.
As well as the views of the bay we can see Warton Crag. The wildlife trust website states "Rising dramatically above Morecambe Bay, Warton Crag marries stunning habitats that have seen the reserve become part of a network of nationally important wildlife conservation sites. Limestone grassland, limestone pavement, and ancient semi-natural woodland boast thin, free-draining soils and rugged, rocky outcrops that support an extra special array of species. Bird’s-foot trefoil, horseshoe vetch, and kidney vetch create a blaze of colour in May and June."
Warton Crag is a limestone hill. It lies to the northwest of the village of Warton. At 163 metres (535 ft) it is the highest point in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of outstanding natural beauty. It has a drop of 126 meters. The summit of the hill was a small Iron Age hillfort.
We ended the walk here and headed back the way we came. If we carried on it would have taken us to Bolton-Le-Sands, Morecambe, and Lancaster beyond.
The walk back was just as pretty where the boy decided to take a paddle in the spring to cool off as it turned out to be a hot day!
I have found an online leaflet on a few walks that include the canal. I wonder if the mother-in-law will be up to some of these...
Thanks for reading, as always.
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