ACCESS STATEMENT

Introduction

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The canal cruises operated by Kingfisher Cruises cover twenty five miles of lock free sailing on the Lancaster Canal, and situated in North Lancashire. The cruises depart from either Barton Grange Marina or Lancaster Aldcliffe road. During the main summer season there is also a timetabled waterbus service operating between Lancaster and Carnforth.

 

The cruises are operated throughout the year by “Kingfisher”,  65 foot in length by 10 foot 6 inches wide.

As well as the timetabled cruises Lancaster Canal Boats also operate evening cruises with local fish and chip and Lancashire hot pot cruises (all locally sourced) and with live entertainment or quizzes on board providing a different night out for groups and the locals.

Lancaster Canal Boats also work with the Lancashire local attractions and build day packages for coach and tour companies under its Lancashire Days brand.

 

Another partnership was formed with First Transpennine trains, where rail customers travel by train to Lancaster station and are met and greeted and transferred to the boat by road, provided with a lunchtime Lune aqueduct cruise with sandwiches and a hot drink . Their seats are reserved  and each customer is provided with a map of Lancaster and its various attractions and shops.

 

Crew are always on hand when boarding , during the cruise and on alighting should any assistance be required.

 

Pre Arrival

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For full details and maps of how to reach us please see the directions section of the website. The main departure point in winter (November to April) is Barton Grange Garden Centre marina. During the summer season “Kingfisher” is at Barton Grange Friday to Sunday.

 

The main departure point in Summer (May to October) is Lancaster Aldcliffe road on a Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.

 

Cruises can be booked by telephone or safe & securely on line through our websitewww.Lcboats.co.uk

Tickets can be either sent by post, via a booking email or shown on your smartphone or similar device when arriving at the boat.

 

Our Boat “Kingfisher”

 

The cruises are operated throughout the year by “Kingfisher” which is  65 foot long by 10 foot 6 inches wide. It has seating for 48 at table plus 6 cushioned side bench seats and seating for 6 at the front of the boat (bow).

 

There is a large toilet and opposite a welcome area and bar. The walls and surrounds of the boat are in light wood with the seat cushions in blue and the tables in red. Crockery is white and a menu and safety card is placed at each table.

 

There is sound surround system which can use all main sources of music including ipod, mp4 and CD. Facilities are available for overhead projection which can be played through computer and via usb sticks. This allows any type of presentation to be used on board and includes films.

 

There is ceiling spot lighting throughout the boat and in an emergency lighting is also available through the centre of the boat along the aisles.

 

Hot and Cold food is available on most cruises and the bar is fully licensed. At least two crew will be available to meet and greet and look after customer needs and requirements on board. All meals are served at seat.

 

Barton Grange Information – postcode PR3 0RB

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Cruises operate all year round from Barton Grange, in winter the boat is available seven days a week between November and April. In summer (May to October) the boat is available Fridays to Sundays.

 

There is free car and coach parking available. All access is on the level. A pedestrian crossing provides a safe route between the garden centre and marina departure mooring. 

 

Stagecoach operates a bus service 40/41 between Preston and Lancaster every half hour during the day on Mondays to Saturdays. A hourly service operates on Sundays. The bus stop is less than 5 minutes from the marina cruise departure point. If travelling by bus the stop is Bilsborrow Barton

 

Grange Garden Centre.  The nearest railway station is Preston (6 miles). The 40/41 bus service operates from the bus station which is approximately 1 mile from the railway station.

 

Public toilets are available at the Garden Centre should customers wish to use this facility prior to boarding.

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Lancaster Aldcliffe Road – postcode LA1 1AZ

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Lune aqueduct cruises operate on Tuesdays to Thursdays throughout the summer (May to October) operating a timetabled service as shown in our leaflet or on the website. There is a flat access from the junction with Queen Street or a stepped access with additional access slope for wheelchairs etc from the coach lay by at the junction with Penny Street.

 

Private toilets are available nearby by asking the crew to unlock these in emergency only. The boat has its own toilet facility.

 

Car Parking is available at the Auction Mart car park which is not the easiest to access because of the one way system. A plan on our website with directions is available for those travelling by car. The auction mart car park is less than 5 minutes from the boat departure mooring. The car parking charge for 3 hours is £4.90 please check our website prior to arrival on the latest charges.

 

Stagecoach operate a large number of buses to the bus stops adjacent to the hospital including the 40/41 bus service. The bus stops are less than 5 minutes from the boat departure mooring.

 

The nearest rail station is Lancaster situated just 1 mile from the cruise departure mooring. Taxis are available at the west exit (platform 3) or walking on the flat takes 20 minutes.

 

The city centre and shopping area is just a 5 minute walk from the mooring point.

 

Waterbus stops

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Garstang Moss lane – postcode PR3 1HS

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This service operates on Sundays during the season (May to October) and is generally a one way cruise with return road transport.

The mooring is situated some 10 minutes from the centre of Garstang and has no public facilities.

 

Ratcliffe Wharf – postcode PR3 0AN

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This service operates on Sundays during the season (May to October) and is generally a one way cruise with return road transport.

The mooring is situated some 10 minutes from the centre of Garstang and has no public facilities.

 

Galgate – postcode LA2 0LD

 

This service operates on Thursdays and  Sundays during the season (May to October) and is generally a one way cruise only. This waterbus service is operated for groups and coach tours only.

Bus service 40/41 operates half hourly on Thursdays and hourly on Sundays. There is also an additional 42 service operating hourly on Thursdays and two hourly on Sundays. The bus stop is less than 5 minutes from the cruise departure point

 

Hest Bank – postcode LA2 6HP

 

This service operates in peak summer only (August) . The mooring point is adjacent to the old convenience block by bridge 117.

The Morecambe to Carnforth bus service operates half hourly in August but there is no service back to Lancaster at present. The bus stop is 5 minutes walk from the mooring point..

There are no public facilities at the mooring.

Food is available at the Hest Bank Hotel just 5 minutes walk from the mooring point.

 

Carnforth Canal Turn – postcode LA5 9EE

 

This service operates in peak summer only (August) . The mooring point is adjacent to the Canal Turn public house.

The Morecambe to Carnforth bus service operates half hourly in August as does the Carnforth to Lancaster bus service. There is also a hourly 555 Keswick to Lancaster bus service but this does not always run to its timings. The bus stop is just 2 minutes from the mooring point.

Food is available at the Canal Turn and there is a large supermarket within 5 minutes of the mooring point.

 

Additional Information

 

All of our staff receive annual training covering safety awareness, fire, first aid and manual handling. It also includes customer care training and how to handle difficult situations.

 

On departing from the mooring a member of staff will advise customers of the emergency procedures.

 

We are a dog friendly boat and a water bowl is available on request to a crew member – we do not however allow dogs on our food cruises for hygiene reasons.

 

The boat has clear signage throughout