Garstang – A lovely day out from Sandy Bay

You may love the coast and your holiday home at Sandy Bay but it’s always nice to venture inland in this beautiful and unspoilt part of Lancashire.

A pleasant 20 minute drive will take you to the popular and historic market town of Garstang, located in the heart of the county with a pretty location on the River Wyre.

Brimming over with history as well as being perfect for some retail therapy plus great places to eat and drink it offers everything for a lovely day out. We recommend the Heritage Trail to really get a feel for the place, the longest route taking approximately 2 hours. You’ll learn about the town’s history with interesting historic landmarks and buildings to discover. You can either pick up a map from the Town Hall or Old Council offices or just look out for the Blue Plaques as you stroll round. There’s even the ruins of Greenhalgh Castle, on the other side of the river, with hidden away artisan shops, cafes and restaurants down narrow alleyways to explore.

The traditional outdoor market has origins going back to the early 1300’s and the Market Cross at the top of the high street is one of the town’s significant landmarks. The market is held every Thursday 8am until 4pm with an interesting variety of stalls including household items, clothes and plants.

Away from the shops Garstang is a great starting point for various walking routes. The Wyre Way is a long distance walk passing through Garstang, starting at Morecambe Bay and finishing within the Forest of Bowland. There’s leisurely strolls along the riverbank or the Lancaster Canal which also offers boat trips.