Garstang can be explored through its market history, historic buildings and the Lancaster Canal. Thursday offers a specific point to plan around: that is when the street market stretches along the High Street. There are also buildings with medieval and later historical connections, as well as walking and canoeing routes. If you are considering Garstang as a place to stay, you can choose between these highlights rather than combining them into a single itinerary.
Market history and historic buildings
Garstang’s market has been running for over 300 years. The street market, held on Thursdays, stretches along the High Street. The covered market is located in the Market House, a building dating from 1843. The weekly market day and the history of a specific market building thus stand side by side as distinct facets of market life.
The medieval market cross also points to Garstang’s history: it is a rare surviving market cross in Lancashire that remains in its original location. The Church of St Thomas is a Grade II listed building. Garstang Arts Centre is housed in the former grammar school building, built in 1756. Together, these historical connections span from the medieval cross to an 18th-century school building that now houses the Arts Centre.
The Garstang Heritage Trail offers another way to engage with the town’s heritage. Its various stops use images, films, audio recordings and written contributions. This format combines different media rather than limiting the exploration to a single way of presenting information.
The Corn Mill is also part of Garstang’s industrial history and has been in existence for over 300 years. A fulling mill for processing cloth from the Cockersand monastic estate already stood on the site in the 13th century. A fulling mill was used to process cloth; in this case, the cloth came from that monastic estate. Across from the canal also stands a restored 18th-century tithe barn.
Lancaster Canal, walks and routes
The Lancaster Canal originally opened in 1791 for freight traffic. Its history is associated with notable structures: a single-span aqueduct built in 1797 carries the canal 34 feet above the River Wyre. It is 110 feet long and was designed by John Rennie. Its dimensions, construction date and function give the structure a specific engineering dimension within the canal’s history.
A kingfisher or grey heron may be spotted along the Lancaster Canal near Garstang. For a walk by the canal, a route runs from the bridge at Kepple Lane to Cornmill Care Home. The canoe route from Garstang to Lancaster is different: its starting point in Garstang is Kepple Lane Bridge. The two options therefore differ in form and have distinct named start or end points; the canoe route is not a substitute for the walk described.
Walks and other activities
For those interested in longer walking routes, Section 3 of the Wyre Way is another option: this section starts in Garstang and initially follows the River Wyre. The 2027 Garstang Walking Festival includes up to 50 walks for people of all ages and abilities. By comparison, the Wyre Way offers a single named route section, while the festival brings together a range of walks.
The Garstang Golf Centre offers another activity, with its 18-hole golf course. So, alongside market and architectural history, there are walks, canoeing, possible birdwatching and golf to choose from. Which aspect of Garstang shapes your stay depends on whether you want to focus primarily on historic places, outdoor activities or both.
Discover more destinations: Barnoldswick, Withnell, Kirkham, Hutton, Bacup, Pilling, Arkholme, Up Holland.
For the main travel overview: Lancashire.
