Exploring the old Lancaster Canal in Whittle-le-Woods

Stroll along the old southern section of the Lancaster Canal (the Walton Summit branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal) which includes two tunnels, an aqueduct and basin at Whittle

The walk starts at the very picturesque flight of seven locks built in 1814/15 by the Lancaster Canal Company, which takes you down to the junction of the two canals at Johnsons Hillock bottom lock.

Boats can no longer go on the old canal to where it ends at Town Lane but the walk route takes us round along tracks and paths to trace the now-filled-in canal and the Lostock Aqueduct and embankment that took the canal over the River Lostock.

Two tunnels can then be viewed, which were built as one tunnel back in 1801/3, but then partly opened out in 1837 due to collapses.

We take a lunch stop at the site of the old Duke of York Canal Basin next to Moss Bridge on Chorley Old Road, which is one of the last surviving Grade IIlisted canal bridges on this section. Quite a good length of canal bed survives in a dry infilled state and, as our route leaves the old canal, a restored lime kiln is visited before crossing over the motorway. The last part of the walk connects back to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal through Lower Copthurst and back to the Top Lock.

From the Top Lock pub, cross the canal bridge and take the towpath steps to head down the flight of seven locks until you reach the junction with the old Lancaster Canal south section.

JUNCTION

Canal Bridge

Cross the junction canal bridge and loop back under it to take the old towpath heading to Town Lane along the last in watered length of the old Lancaster Canal built around 1800.

Where the canal now ends is the site of an old coal wharf. The footpath joins Town Lane and you take a right after crossing the road at what was Navigation Bridge. Take a footpath down a track 328ft (100m) along Town Lane, behind stone-built cottages.

Just before entering a farm, take a stile on the left into a field followed by another stile 65ft (20m) away alongside the field boundary that takes you along an embankment, with the old canal channel, which is now infilled, below you on the left. Follow the footpath down the valley side and through a motorway subway (torch recommended).

As you exit the subway, the aqueduct and embankment that took the Lancaster Canal over the River Lostock are now in front of you. Go through the tunnel footpath and, at its exit portal, take the footpath to the left to loop back on yourself and over the tunnel portal. The footpath climbs steadily through woodland and past cottages.

Whittle Tunnel

Before joining the road (Hill Top Lane), the track takes you over the canal tunnel, which was built between 1801 and 1803 as one tunnel and then opened out in its centre a er a collapse in 1837. Take a le when you join the road and 650 (200m) along, take a set of wooden steps down to the canal cu ing, which is partly restored.

Moss Bridge

The cu ing takes you to Moss Bridge, but look back the other way to the tunnel portal of the west tunnel as clearance work makes it viewable om the towpath. A 200-year commemoration plaque on the bridge is worth a read before going under the bridge and into the landscaped area that was the Duke of York Basin up until 1968.

Duke Of York Basin

The basin has a seating area and recovered millstones that were once quarried in the area. Take the footpath at the far side of the basin area, northwards at the back of houses that once served as coal yards. On joining Chorley Old Road, cross and turn le before walking down to the Dog Inn pub.

Dog Inn Pub To Lime Kiln

Take the path down the le side of the pub, up steps and across the old canal bed onto a tarmac footpath, turning le and following this path for 492 (150m). Continue for another 65 (20m) a er crossing an estate road, through a metal gate, and take the first footpath right that leads you straight away to a restored stone-built lime kiln.

Planning Your Walk

LOCATION: Wheelton, Lancashire

DISTANCE: 4 miles (6km)

EASE: Moderate – torch recommended for subway and tunnel

SURFACE: Mainly towpaths, paths/tracks. Can be muddy in parts

ACCESSIBILITY: Some steps and slopes to negotiate

PARKING: Car park opposite the Top Lock pub (PR6 8LS) or nearby street parking on Kenyon Lane if car park is full

Lime Kiln And Birchin Lane

From the lime kiln, continue on the footpath through woodland for 820 (250m) to join Birchin Lane and turn le to go uphill and le again to cross the motorway on a high bridge.

Birchin Lane To Lower Copthurst

Once you have crossed on the motorway bridge, take the first right, which is the continuation of Birchin Lane, heading downhill on this country lane to Lower Copthurst and then a short, steep climb back up to the Top Lock and the start point.