Greaves Hotel

The Golden Ball Pub (Snatchems)

by MartinSelway

Also known locally as "Snatchems". This was the name given to the pub by the locals when Lancaster was a major port. It was in its heyday at the height of the cotton trade. The reason for the name is that when ships were leaving Lancaster, should they be short of a crew member or two, they would put a boat out to The Golden Ball and "snatch" any available (drunken) locals to make up their number.

On very high tides the road floods.

Directions: Head out of Lancaster towards Morecambe on the A589 -over the Lune (3 lane bridge) under railway.At first roundabout turn left coming next to a set of traffic lights with ASDA on left and AXA Direct on right - go straight over the lights up to a small roundabout with a Peugeot garage - bear left. There should now be drainage dykes on left and signs warning that the road may be closed at high tide. It a short distance down this road.

Views of the River Lune & Crook O' Lune

by MartinSelway

"Crook O' Lune nr. Caton"

This is a popular and attractive spot, where the Lune meanders in a big curve through tree-lined banks. The river passes under Penny Bridge (formerly a toll bridge) and the bridge which carried the former Lancaster to Hellifield railway line, which is now part of an extensive network of cycleways and footpaths. The beauty of the Crook O' Lune was captured by the artist JMW Turner, and described by the poets Thomas Gray (of Gray's "Elegy") and William Wordsworth.

(all photos from LCC)