OLD LANCASTER AND ITS RAILWAYS

There are plenty of historic buildings in central Lancaster. Here is the castle, firstly around 1900 and then in 1996.

The city centre with its town hall in 2021.

A horse drawn tram in Stonewell, central Lancaster.

Springfield Terrace.

An electric tram in the city.

The historic Judges' Lodgings.

Lancaster's main station (Lancaster Castle) , on the West Coast Main Line of the LNWR.

47539 and a class 86 pass at Lancaster in 1982.

A 142 'Pacer' sits in the Morecambe bay platforms in 1992.

In 2011, Virgin Trains were running the main line expresses.

Lancaster's other station, Green Ayre, was built by the Midland Railway.

Some of the Green Ayre railway infrastructure survives beside the River Lune.

The name "Green Ayre" has been applied to a new-build Wetherspoons pub.

The next post will see us looking a the bus and beer scene in Lancaster.

LANCASTER (PART 1)

As we approach the county town (city) we happen across the Lancaster Canal, at the point where it crosses the River Lune by this fine aqueduct.

We'll follow the canal by hitching a lift on this narrowboat into the centre of the city.

It's not a long journey.

Here's the British Waterways wharf in Lancaster.

Alongside the towpath is a fine pub, the White Cross.

It's getting late. Another pub calls - The Bobbin.

Darkness has fallen, so we'll spend the evening in a Lancaster Brewery owned pub, the Sun.

That's it for this post. The next one will find us seeing a lot more of the City of Lancaster.

CUMBRIA, YORKSHIRE, LANCASHIRE

Having left Kendal behind, we soon arrive at Oxenholme, junction for the Windermere branch with the West Coast Main Line. LMS 5547 rattles over the points, heading south.

In Oxenholme station, a Cravens DMU forms the Windermere service.

Nearby is the Station Inn.

Going back in time to LNWR days and we arrive at Grayrigg, on the WCML north of Oxenholme.

Across country now, to another LNWR railway station, at Sedburgh.

There's time for a pint in Sedburgh, at the Red Lion, a Jennings house.

Almost due south for several miles, towards Ingleton. We encounter some limestone scenery as we approach the town. We're now in North Yorkshire.

Just outside Ingleton is the River Twiss, with Pecca Falls and pleasant walks.

Ingleton has a big church, dedicated to St Mary.

The town of Ingleton once had two railway stations. This is the Midland Railway establishment.

One remant of the MR still remains in Ingleton.

The LNWR's Ingleton station. No railways serve the town these days.

A large coach company, Bibby's, once served the town. Here's a minibus at the depot.

Now we're outside the Bridge Hotel. I don't think it exists any more.

Fortunately, the Wheatsheaf is well and truly open.

We're heading for Lancashire now, as we find the Midland Railway near Bentham. 

However, at the moment, we're still in Yorkshire. Here's Bentham station in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank CC).

We reach Lancashire at Wennington Junction, as LMS 27646 passes. (Photographer unknown).

Caton is next. Here's the station in MR times. It's long since closed.

There's two pubs to do in Caton. First, a Thwaite's house, the Ship Inn.

Now for our final pub of the post, the Black Bull Inn.

The next post will see us visiting the city of Lancaster. follow the route here.

TWO BREWERIES AND A TOWN

Having left Windermere behind, we soon arrive at the small village of Ings. Here we find the excellent Watermill Inn, with its own brewery. 

We now take a Stagecoach bus to Staveley (not to be confused with other places of the same name).

We could also have arrived at Staveley by rail, on the Windermere branch. (Creative Commons License).

Staveley is blessed with St James' Church.  (Creative Commons License).

There are also the only remains of a medieval church, now called St Margaret's Tower. (Creative Commons License).

More important perhaps, there's a pub, the Eagle & Child.

Staveley is also now home to Hawkshead Brewery, with its adjacent beer hall.

From the nearby Dales Way, there are views towards the Howgill Fells.

Onwards now, through Burneside by Ribble bus.

We the arrive at the town of Kendal, famous for mint cakes. Here's the raiway station, a shadow of its former self.

A Trans Pennine 185 unit arrives in 2011.

Ribble Motor Services ran buses in Kendal.

Bus services later passed to Cumberland MS.

Stagecoach then took over.

A bit of culture for you, in the form of Holy Trinity Church. (Creative Commons License).

Kendal once boasted a brewery. It's now an arts centre (more culture).

Every town has one - a Wetherspoons. It's called the Miles Thompson.

Burgundy's Wine Bar serves wine (obviously), but also has real ale.

This once fine establishment, the Sawyers Arms, is now shut.

The Castle Inn had closed, but is now open again in the hands of the former owner of the Ring o'Bells.

I'm pleased to say that the Ring o'Bells has also recently reopened!

That's yer lot for now. We'll move onwards to Oxenholme and beyond in my next posting. Don't forget, you can follow the route here.