The River Lune Millennium Park stretches some 15 kilometres along the banks of the Lune from Bull Beck near Caton down to Salt Ayre in Lancaster.
The Park offers leisure and everyday transport opportunities with linked footpaths and cycleways, artworks to discover and Stations for information.
From the River Lune Millennium Park you can link into other cycle routes (Lancaster to Morecambe - which forms part of the National Cycle Network) and footpaths (the Lune Valley Ramble, the Lancashire Coastal Way and the Lancaster Canal).
The River Lune Millennium Park reintroduces the idea of a Station - a place from which a superb view could be gained - from the 18th Century picturesque movement. Our Stations also contain information points.
The cycleway is accessible to all. It is generally smooth and level, ideal for cycles, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
SALT AYRE - 1, 2 and 16
Until the 18th Century Salt Ayre was an island. It now forms part of the north bank. The railway line to Morecambe, the 'Little' North Western, ran along the route of the current cycleway until 1966. On the south bank Lune Mills produced linoleum for James Williamson & Son. The family firm provided Lancaster with landmarks like the Town Hall, Williamson Park and the Ashton Memorial.
The River Lune is tidal here, and waterbirds are easily spotted. Gulls, ducks, waders - such as lapwing and redshank - herons and cormorants can be seen regularly. The Lancashire Coastal Way follows the River Lune estuary at this point.
ST GEORGE'S QUAY & THE NEW MILLENNIUM BRIDGE - 3, 14 and 15
St George's Quay developed from the 1750s as Lancaster's port grew. In 1764 the Custom House - now Lancaster Maritime Museum - formed a focal point of trade on the quay. Downstream, Carlisle Bridge takes the main West Coast line across the Lune. This part of the line opened in 1846.
The new Millennium Bridge provides a state-of-the-art river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists that honours Lancaster's maritime past. By 2005 it will link into Sustrans' National Cycle Network.
The new bridge, designed by Whitby Bird & Partners, traces an ancient crossing point of the river. There have been bridges on this site from Roman times.
Upstream of the new bridge stands Greyhound bridge, originally taking the railway line to Morecambe. It was converted for road use in the early 1970s.
GREEN AYRE AND SKERTON BRIDGE - 13
This area has seen many changes - a water-powered corn mill, a busy shipyard and a railway station have all inhabited the space. Today it provides welcome open land within the busy city. In 1788 Skerton Bridge was built to the designs of architect Thomas Harrison in the classical style. It provided an impressive new approach to Lancaster. Swans can often be seen on this part of the river.
SKERTON WEIR - 12
A weir has existed around this point since 1200. It fed the millstream to several corn mills and served the local fishery. The current weir was built in 1976/7 to stop todal salt water from flowing upstream. Salmon and sea trout can travel freely through the fish pass - one of the largest in Europe.
Although encroached upon by industrial developments from the 19th and 20th Centuries this part of the river is rich in wildlife. Waterbirds like coot, moorhen and little grebe can be seen throughout the year. Watch out for pochard and tufted ducks in the winter months. Dense thickets of Japanese knotweed grow around here threatening to shade out smaller native plants.
AQUEDUCT - 4 and 11
John Rennie and Alexander Stevens' monumental aqueduct takes the Lancaster Canal over the River Lune. It was built in 1797 to expand canal routes for more effective transport of heavy goods. Within 50 years railways were fast encroaching on the trade. The canal towpath can be followed for 27 miles up to Kendal.
Fishing birds like cormorants are often visible here. A lucky few may see kingfishers flying low over the water as a streak of brilliant blue. The shrubs support many songbirds in the summer months, especially warblers. In the winter the alders by the water provide food for siskins.
The Environment Agency is trying to encourage fish spawning on this stretch of the river in an effort to reverse declining fish populations. A new pond - Off River Spawning Unit - laid out on the south bank (with City Council and Lansil Sports & Social Club support) provides a sheltered habitat. Fishing is not permitted.
DENNY BECK AND HALTON - 5 and 10
Halton has a long industrial history with iron smelting from the 18th Century, a forge and - from 1872 - an oilcloth manufactory. Some of the mill buildings on the north bank are still in use but most have gradually been cleared.
This stretch is rich in wildlife. Dragonflies skim the water, salmon, sea trout and eels swim amongst the rocks. Birds like dippers, grey wagtails, common sandpipers, swallows, swifts and siskins are all regularly seen in this area - although some are only seasonal visitors. For those wanting to see more the north bank footpath - or the footpath by the south bank - might be the more profitable routes.
On summer evenings at Denny Beck (near Halton Station) bats are on the wing, hunting for insects. Several species inhabit the area, particularly noctule, pipistrelle and Daubenton's bats. Bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act because their numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.
CROOK O'LUNE - 6 and 8
This sharp turning point of the river gives stunning views across the valley. Until the 1960s the old railway line from Morecambe to Leeds crossed the site. The cycleway follows that route. Its two bridges are good vantage points for watching the river's wildlife.
In the spring and early summer bats are visible at dusk as they hunt for insects. Two species are known to breed around here - tiny pipistrelles and Brandts bats.
You can leave the cycleway just before the first bridge (at Station 8 Viaduct) to walk up to the viewpoint at Gray's Seat. Please follow the markers. The footpaths are approximately 300 metres long. They are steep in parts, with steps, and are not suitable for people with mobility problems.
You can walk upstream on the north bank of the river to the ancient woodlands of Burton Wood and on to Kirkby Lonsdale following the Lune Valley Ramble.
GRAY'S SEAT AND CATON - 9
The route to Gray's Seat is steep in part, with steps, and is not suitable for people with mobility problems. Follow the footpath from the cycleway at station 8.
The poet Thomas Gray described this spectacular view in 1769. Many artists have painted here, including JMW Turner. The view is closed in the distance by flat-topped Ingleborough. On the left are the steep wooded slopes of Aughton, on the right the gentler slopes of Caton Moor. In the middle distance are the chimneys of Claughton brickworks and the tower of Hornby Castle.
The viewpoint was lost in the 1830s when the road was altered. Travelling up the slope you walk through ancient woodland rich in birds.
BULL BECK - 7
Cross the road from the car park and head downstream on the cycleway or take the footpaths around the meanders that lead to the Crook O'Lune.
Meanders are classic signs of river movement. The steep riverbanks here are ideal nesting habitats for colonies of sand martins and a few kingfishers. The gravel shores, on the other side, are home to small insects and attract wading birds like oystercatchers, ringed plovers and redshanks.
The wood on the steep north bank of the valley is Burton Wood. It once supplied charcoal for iron smelting at Aughton and Halton and, until early in the 20th Century, oak bark for tanning leather. Now Burton Wood is valued as a nature reserve.
