WYRE WE HERE? A KNOTTY END?

 Our first stop today is a railway station named after a pub - Bay Horse. It was a calling point for local trains in the LNWR's West Coast Main Line.

Somewhat to the south is the village of Forton, once home to a pub named The New Holly. There's conflicting info on the net regarding this Thwaite's house.

Back on the WCML, we're close to what used to be Garstang & Catterall station, which served both settlements equally badly. Steam and diesel motive power in 1967.

Let's return to the Lancaster Canal, which we regain at Bilsborrow. 

Beside the canal is Old Nell's Tavern.

Bilsborrow seems to be doing quite well for pubs. The Roebuck is still going strong as a 'Chef & Brewer'.

The White Bull is also still in business.

We now follow the canal northish towards Garstamg itself and cross the River Wyre just before we arrive.

Here's the centre of Garstang. (Creative Commons License).

At the heart of things is the Royal Oak, first seen in the 1930s and then, in 1996.

The long closed Garstang & Knott End Railway connected withe the WCML at Garstang & Catterall. It also had a station called Garstang Town, much closer to civilisation.

The independent Garstang & Knott End Railway ran through flat country to reach Preesall station.

There's a former Tetley pub in Preesall, the Black Bull. It has its own Wikipedia page.

Construction of the railway nears Knott End.

One of the railway's locomotives is seen at Knott End.

Here's the station in LMS times.

Today's land transport to Knott End is by bus.

However, there's long been a ferry across the Wyre to Fleetwood.

There is Fleetwood, just over the river.....

......we'll be there in the next post. 

Don't forget, you can follow the route here.