Johnson's Hillock - Walk Guide - Section 05
Below the seventh lock there is the junction with the main line of the Lancaster Canal. This was once a busy place, with the Whittle Springs Brewery on the off side of the canal, where the new houses now stand. The brewery had its own boats, at one time delivering to pubs as far away as Liverpool. There were also pleasure gardens here, and Whittle Springs was the destination of many passenger-carrying boat trips in the early nineteenth century. Coal boats would be cleaned and seats installed for school, church or mill trips from Blackburn or Wigan during the summer.
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The brewery was below the footbridge which needs a little care whilst crossing as there are two narrows installed to prevent motor bikes from using the towpath. After crossing the foot bridge over the canal, there is a canalside house which was once a shop for those working on the boats. At the bottom of the bridge turn sharply back under the bridge and continue along the towpath. This section of the canal is not used by boats any more, and has become a nature reserve. The towpath is unsurfaced and can be muddy in wet weather. Just the derelict remains of an ice breaker, visible only to those who know it is there, recalls the days of boat traffic. After about half a kilometre the canal ends as it was filled in when the motorway was built. The car park just before the road was originally Johnsons Hillock Wharf where goods to and from the area were transshipped. A pub, called The Navigation, served the local community. It was knocked down when the hump-backed bridge over the canal was removed. To continue the walk, you now leave the canal either by the steps or by the vehicular access to the wharf from the road. After crossing the road, taking care as it can be busy, turn right along the pavement, though this disappears after the first house.
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For an easy walk which takes you back to the canal towpath at the fourth lock, just follow the road passed the houses and up the hill. The more adventurous should also follow the road, but take the sign-posted path on the left just after the right-hand bend in the road, and after the first row of cottages.
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