The Ribble Link and Lancaster Canal near Preston

The route is an ideal opportunity to explore the Link and compare and contrast it to the busy Lancaster Canal. Special care and consideration for local wildlife was one of the top priorities when building the Link and you can witness the real-time preservation of many of the protected species and other plants and animals that live here.

From the car park at Haslam Park, pass the lake there up to the canal towpath. From here you walk to the staircase locks and all the way down the Link.

Use the footbridge to cross the Link, and skirt around the Golf course (beware!) to cross a second footbridge. Walk straight ahead to the telegraph pole and then cut diagonally across the field (or around the edge if there's a crop growing) until you find the stile to the next field.

Follow the path to the road and from this point you can walk along Darkinson Lane to the canal bridge and back along the line of the Lancaster Canal to Haslam Park.

Getting there

Parking: Free parking available at Haslam Park.

Public transport: By car Preston is easily accessible from all parts of the country. The Millennium Ribble Link is just off the B6241.