If you have passed through Lostock Gralam station you will have noticed the large running-in boards that say Take the Train. Walk the Canal. Visit the Lion Salt Works. This 3 kilometre walk takes you down the Trent and Mersey Canal. Completed in 1777, under the direction of James Brindley, the canal in those days was the commercial lifeline for Josiah Wedgewood’s business in the Potteries. You will know when you have arrived at the Lion Salt Works. In front of you will be the black 30,000-gallon brine tank which used to feed the evaporating pans in the Works.
DISTANCE: 6km round trip
MAP: OS Explorer Map, sheet 267 scale 1: 25,000
GROUND CONDITIONS: A generally flat walk involving a mix of pavements and towpath, which can be muddy at times.
STILES: None
KISSING GATES: None
REFRESHMENTS: The Lion Salt Works has a café that serves hot drinks and snacks with the Salt Barge pub serving full meals. There is also a Chinese takeaway/chip shop near the station.
1. From the Chester-bound platform, walk up the ramp; from the Manchester-bound platform, walk up the ramp and a short flight of steps. Turn left along the road soon passing the local Parish church of St John the Evangelist on your right.
2. Proceed then to traffic lights near to the Ho King (Chinese food/fish and chips takeaway) and turn left on the pavement alongside a major road and in a little while cross with care the busy road from/to your left.
3. Soon after, go over the bridge crossing the Trent and Mersey canal and immediately descend to the towpath via a quite narrow track. Turn left and the canal soon crosses the Wincham Brook aqueduct.
4. Continue on the towpath which is not hard surfaced and suitable for pushchairs/buggies in dry weather conditions, but other times prone to being mildly muddy. After some distance pass under bridge number 192.
5. Just before the next bridge number 193 leave the canal via a substantial metal gate and enter the grounds of the Lion Salt Works with access to their café and the Salt museum.
6. Over the road and opposite the Museum is the Salt Barge pub.
7. In due course retrace your steps to return to Lostock Gralam station.
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