The Water Witch sits at the point where the Lancaster Canal meets the River Lune — and the walk to get there along the towpath is one of the best short walks in Lancaster. Flat, traffic-free, genuinely scenic, and ending at one of the most characterful beer gardens in the city.
The Walk: Lune Towpath from Skerton Bridge · Easy · 1.5 miles · Flat, surfaced path
Start at Skerton Bridge, drop down onto the towpath heading south-west, and follow the Lune as it bends around towards Aldcliffe. The path runs alongside the river with open views across to the flood plain on the far bank — on a clear day you get the full Bowland fells backdrop. After about 20 minutes' easy walking you'll reach the canal aqueduct where the Lancaster Canal crosses the Lune, and the Water Witch is right there on the towpath.
The Water Witch is a converted stable block dating from the canal's working days, now one of Lancaster's most popular beer gardens. The garden sits right on the towpath edge — there's something genuinely special about sitting at a canal-side table watching the narrowboats go past. It's south-west facing (225°), which means afternoon and evening sun. Fire pit in the garden for cooler evenings. Dog friendly. Good rotating real ales.
💡 Check the Golden Pints tracker before you set off — the Water Witch garden faces south-west so it catches afternoon sun from about 1pm onwards. If you're planning a lunchtime walk, aim to arrive around 1–2pm for the best light.
The Route in Detail
The easiest start point is Skerton Bridge (the big stone bridge carrying the A6 over the Lune, north of Lancaster city centre). Drop down the steps on the west side of the bridge onto the riverside path. Head south-west and you're immediately on the Lune towpath — the path is well-signed and obvious from here.
The path passes underneath the Carlisle Bridge railway viaduct — worth pausing to look back at the city from here — then continues to the canal aqueduct. The Water Witch is immediately below the aqueduct on the canal towpath. Total walking time from Skerton Bridge: about 25 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Returning, you can either walk back the same way (perfectly pleasant in both directions) or continue along the canal towpath northwards through Aldcliffe to rejoin the city centre via the Lancaster Canal basin. The longer loop is about 3.5 miles total.
More Lancaster Towpath Walks
The Lancaster Canal towpath is one of the best linear walking routes in Lancashire. The full towpath runs from Lancaster south to Preston and north to Kendal — both directions are flat, traffic-free, and pass through genuinely beautiful countryside. For more walk-and-pint options across Lancaster, see the full Golden Pints tracker →