It's Worth Stopping Here to Look Around
Tip1

If you see only Tip1, open this highlight using the link:
komoot.com/highlight/3843027

Some suggestions below in Tip2.

The Ribble Link Staircase is visited by several Komoot tours - for example, check out these links:
komoot.com/tour/610244459
komoot.com/tour/1118780163

Take care with children at all points near the holding basin and staircase locks.

The locks join the Lancaster Canal to the start of the river navigation along Savick Brook, which flows three locks below at the bottom of the staircase.

To view the photos alongside these descriptions, use a split-screen.

Photos 1 and 2: the holding basin, taken from a new bridge that carries the Lancaster Canal 'towpath' over a short channel. That channel branches off the canal and widens into the holding basin at the top lock, with moorings for boats waiting to descend the staircase and continue along the brook to the River Ribble.

Photo 3: looking from the basin towards the towpath bridge and the canal, just visible under the bridge.

Photo 4: looking across the holding basin to the top lock.

The Ribble Link Navigation follows the course of Savick Brook west towards the north bank of the Ribble, where the brook passes through the sea lock and into its tidal waters to join the Ribble.

Departure down the staircase to the Ribble is only possible when the tide is right. It's timed so that boats arrive at the junction of Savick Brook with the Ribble near high tide.

Photo 5: two boats descending - the canal boat is reversing down the staircase to avoid a U-turn in Savick Brook.

Photo 6: at the bottom lock the boat is reversing into the Savick Brook winding hole - too narrow for a long boat to turn. It then moves forward and turns slightly left to continue on along the brook.

Photo 7: the raised walkway that follows Savick Brook under the railway bridge. Low bridge - mind your head.

Peter C Preston

October 23, 2021

Suggestions
Tip2

Walk down the staircase path and across the new Savick Brook bridge to Tom Benson Way. Do not cross the road. There is a track on the left near the pelican lights. Follow that track for a few metres then take the short track on the left to access the mooring site at the side of the Savick Brook winding hole. A good view of the staircase and Savick Brook from here where it passes under the new bridge to the left and then under the road and the railway bridge on its way to join the River Ribble.

Cross Tom Benson Way at the pelican lights, turn right and walk to the raised ramp under the railway bridge on the left. Descend the ramp to rejoin Savick Brook (the start of the Savick Brook - aka the Ribble Link - shared use path) where it continues its journey to the River Ribble.

Peter C Preston

October 31, 2021

Tip3

After completion (1790s) the Lancaster Canal had always been isolated from the other inland waterways until 2002. Boats from the Lancaster Canal can now, via the Link, enter the Ribble, cross to the south bank and join the River Douglas navigation and the Leeds - Liverpool canal.

There's an impressive YouTube video of the crossing in the reverse direction across the Ribble, from the River Douglas to Savick Brook (the Ribble Link). Do a search for:
Travels by Narrowboat - Millennium Ribble Link - S07E03

On a mobile, view the video in landscape.

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Elevation 20 m

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Take Me There

Location: Ingol And Tanterton, Preston, Lancashire, North West England, England, United Kingdom

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Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin

1. View of the River Ribble – Brockholes Nature Reserve loop from Longridge

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