Lancaster Canal, South of the Hand and Dagger

I walked a short way down the Lancaster Canal, from the Hand and Dagger today. The pub used to be called the Clifton Arms, and I have a feeling the coat of arms featured a hand holding a dagger, and got known unofficially as the Hand and Dagger before adopting the name officially.


It is a nice pub, with good beer and friendly staff. And unlike most pubs in the area, still open. You can see the bridge over the canal to the right of the pub in the photo.


This is that bridge, seen from the north side - the pub is at the top of the bank on the right.


The photo above is where the Hodder Aqueduct crosses the canal. It provides Blackpool with water from Stocks Reservoir at the head of the River Hodder, and for some distance runs along the road the pub is on, but diverges briefly at this point to cross the canal. Stocks Reservoir dates from 1932, so I assume this structure is from more or less then too.

The canal heads south through a narrow cutting. When I was there, I saw a few dozen sheep in four different groups, standing rather precariously on the steep side opposite the tow path.

As the cutting ends you arrive at Salwick Wharf, which, to be honest, looks rather run down - for one thing one of the moored boats is burnt out and half submerged.. Shortly after is Wilson's Bridge.


The is the view looking north, through the bridge to Salwick Wharf.

After going under Salwick Hall Bridge, the trees disappear and the land opens out. There are a couple of basins; this is the second and larger.


I have no idea what there purpose was. There is no sign of any buildings, and maps from a century ago offer no hint.









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