Outdoor Explorer
Outdoor Leisure
Explore the coastal limestone pavements, salt marshes and views of Morecambe Bay on foot, on wheels or on the water! The Bay is famed for stunning coastal scenery and sunsets - and also for the unique diversity of its wildlife. Enjoy time birdwatching and spotting rare species of birds and butterflies.
Discover the tranquil Lune Valley, its villages and rivers, which have inspired poets and artists for centuries - request our Walking and Cycling guides to the area - or simply relax and share a picnic on the riverbank as the water laps by.
Canal Boat Cruises
What could be more leisurely than drifting along the picturesque canal, between Carnforth and Lancaster?
With cityscape views across the Lune Aqueduct, to the tranquillity of Morecambe Bay, the Lancaster Canal Cruises offer the perfect chance to explore the area, whilst also experiencing, first-hand, the camaraderie between the boat-owners and the warmth of the canalside establishments.
Every bend in the waterway brings out a new aspect of its personality.
Local canal-boat operator Budgie Transport offers an impressive variety of themed canal-boat cruises.
(www.budgietransport.co.uk / 01524 389410)
Picnic-ing
Situated at a popular beauty-spot on a bend in the river, the Crook O’Lune picnic site offers not only picnic-ing facilities but the opportunity to take a pleasant stroll, alongside the wooded banks and into the surrounding countryside, where you will see a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The site has car parking and toilet facilities as well as ‘Woodies Snack Bar’ for refreshments.
Fishing
Lancaster, Morecambe and the Lune Valley offers many options for keen fishermen - and women - with a variety of sea fishing, fly fishing and coarse fishing destinations as well as award winning carp lakes.
Wyreside Lakes - 7 lakes, mainly carp and coarse fishing plus a pike lake
Forrest Hills - pay-as-you-fish fly fishery
Bank House - specialist fly fishery offering unique blue trout
Redwell Fisheries - aquality carp fishing, plus bream, tench and rudd
Patty's Farm Barn - 3 acre carp fishing lake plus smaller pond
Cleveley Bridge Fishery - 3 large main carp lakes plus stock ponds
To find out more about outdoor attractions, contact Lancaster Visitor Information Centre on 01524 582394 or Morecambe Visitor Information Centre on 01524 582808.
More about...
· Cycling
· Walking
Outdoor Adventure
Thrills and spills!
If you’re more of an adrenalin junkie than a Sunday hiker then you’re in the perfect spot to get your blood pumping and try something a little more daring. There are plenty of outdoor opportunities available whether you want to try something new, or you’ve already got the gear and you’re looking to crack your latest challenge. Here’s our top picks:
Rock-climbing
There are a several locations ideal for both climbing and bouldering, with some pretty amazing views of Morecambe Bay and the surrounds to accompany them. The best sites in the area include: Fairy Steps, Farleton Crag, Hutton Roof Crag, Jack Scout Crag, Jackdaw Quarry, Millhead Quarry, Trowbarrow, Warton and Woodwell. For further information on locations, routes and grades please see lancashirerock.co.uk. The Lakeland Climbing Centre in Kendal is a world-class indoor climbing centre which also offers various outdoor courses and activities from beginners to advanced as well as gear hire (www.kendalwall.co.uk/01539 721766).
Skydiving and Parachute Jumps
If the crags and quarries aren’t quite high enough, sky-diving and jumping is available at The Black Knights Parachute Centre at Cockerham, Whether it’s your first jump or you’re a free-fall junkie, there are plenty of options and courses to chose from (www.bkpc.co.uk/01524 791820).
Kayaking/Canoeing and Watersports
If water’s your thing then The River Lune offers plenty of options to take in the Lune Valley scenery whilst kayaking and canoeing various grades of difficulty of moving water. Beginner courses are available from Lancaster and District Canoe Club (lancastercanoeclub.org.uk). The Club Nautique at Pine Lake Resort also offer canoeing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and sailing with equipment for hire and tuition available (www.clubnautique-watersports.co.uk /01524 733377).
Diving
If you’d rather be in the water than on it, then the area is perfect for those who want to have a go at diving. Capernway Diving Centre at Carnforth is open to all levels of divers including beginners and more advanced. And you can learn in a swimming pool at the centre if you’re new to the sport or, if you’re more advanced, at Jackdaw Quarry (www.dive-site.co.uk /01524 735132).
