Discover Wyre

Canal cruises and boating

Discover more about Wyre's waterways on a fabulous cruise along our canals and rivers. Visit the canal cruises and boating page for more information.

Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club

They are a sailing and powerboating club, based on the picturesque river Wyre estuary at Skippool. They have dinghy and keelboat racing fleets at Skippool, as well as an active cruising contingent who venture further afield.
They welcome new members of all ages and abilities, and don't worry if you don't have a boat - the club has a number of sailing dinghies that members can use for a modest fee. Find out more by visiting their website

Lancaster canal walk

The Lancaster Canal links Preston to Kendal and is one of the country’s few coastal canals. Built along the natural lie of the land it offers 41 miles of lock free cruising - the longest stretch in the country. As the canal is naturally level, it also lends itself to gentle walking and cycling as well as canoeing and places to eat and drink along the way. There is a 57 miles towpath walk from the Ribble across Bilsborrow and Garstang in Wyre and onward towards Lancaster and the Lake District. Find out more by visiting the Canal Trust website

Fleetwood Marsh nature park

Fleetwood Marsh nature park sits on the site of a former power station. After reclamation by Lancashire County Council, 18 hectares of public open space were created. There’s also a fenced off grassed area which is rented by the Fylde Coast Model Flying Association

It’s a lovely place to go for a walk, and very popular with dog owners. It’s teeming with wildlife too. Hard standing footpaths make access quite easy. The hard paths are ideal when conditions are wet, or if you’ve got mobility issues. Why not head off into the open grassland from the beaten track. Decorative pieces of public art (like the iron gateway in the first photo) break up the flat landscape and lead you from the footpath. Perfect for photographers to snap from different angles, as the evening sun sets in the west and casts its red shadows.

Barnaby Sands and Burrows Marsh (Knott End)

Barnaby's Sands and Burrows Marsh is one of the last extensive areas of ungrazed saltmarsh in the county. This undiscovered paradise for wintering waders and wildfowl is heaven for both seasoned birdwatchers and keen wildlife-lovers. Regionally important mudflats and marshes brim with redshank, knot, snipe and common sandpiper as they probe the mud for insects and molluscs. Wigeon, pink-footed geese and red-breasted merganser visit to take advantage of the spoils, while peregrines are often seen patrolling the skies during winter. Skylark and reed bunting regularly breed on the saltmarsh, while lapwings reel across the sky and fill the air with distinctive ‘purr-weet’ calls. But birds aren’t the only stars of the show.

As you stroll along the footpath that spans vast swathes of shingle, saltmarsh and cordgrass there are countless species of coastal wildflower. Sea purslane and sea blite accompany bright purple bunches of beautiful sea lavender, as well as lax-flowered sea lavender and the striking lilac flowers of the sea aster plant. Barnaby Sands and Burrows Marsh is the perfect spot for a bracing coastal walk, so venture a little further along to Arm Hill, here, acid grassland and bushes of coconut-scented gorse support rare plants like rock sea lavender and sea wormwood.

Scorton Picnic Site

Scorton Picnic Site is a local nature reserve nestled between the M6 and the River Wyre and is managed by Lancashire County Council. You can enjoy a circular trail that starts and finishes from the picnic site car park. There are numerous picnic tables on grassy areas surrounding the tarmac surfaced car park from which you can observe the abundant bird life. This was once fertile agricultural land until used for gravel extraction in the 1950’s, thus giving rise to the numerous pond and lakes (‘meres’) in the area.

Millennium Green/Way

Established in 2000, the Millennium Green is situated by the River Wyre in Garstang and is a pleasant open space for use by all, owned by a charity and managed by volunteers. The land is secure and will never be developed. The Millennium Green has stunning views across the Bowland Fells and riverside walks. Space for gentle relaxation, walking, recreational and educational activities all associated with the countryside, but right here in Garstang. Picnic area free from dogs with barbecue-friendly tables. Find out how to get there by visiting the Millennium Green website