Attractions and Places To See around Kirkham - Top 20
Attractions and places to see around Kirkham include a variety of historical landmarks, natural features, and cultural sites. This market town in Lancashire, England, offers insights into its rich heritage through its architecture and community spaces. Visitors can explore significant churches, tranquil parks, and a bustling market, providing diverse points of interest. The area's landscape features green spaces and waterways, suitable for outdoor exploration.
Best attractions and places to see around Kirkham
- The most popular attractions is Ribble Steam Railway, a man-made monument that preserves 137 years of railway history. It is a standard gauge preserved railway running along Preston Docks, offering views of the River Ribble.
- Another must-see spot is Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin, a river feature. This site connects the Lancaster Canal to the river navigation along Savick Brook, allowing boats to access the River Ribble and other waterways.
- Visitors also love Haslam Park Nature Reserve, a trail and nature reserve. This area provides routes for walking and cycling, serving as a natural detour from nearby canal towpaths.
- Kirkham is known for its historic churches, green spaces, and a vibrant market. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from architectural landmarks to natural reserves.
- The attractions around Kirkham are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 80 upvotes and 10 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: June 20, 2026
Cartford Toll Bridge
Highlight • Bridge
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Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin
Highlight • River
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.
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Haslam Park Nature Reserve
Highlight • Trail
Photo-Guide or Satnav through the Nature Reserve to Cottam Lane - Walk or 10min Cycle
The 3rd photo, P3, shows this highlight's location, red 2, beside Lancaster Canal bridge 15.
If you see only Tip1 open:
komoot.com/highlight/4114660
Despite the above "Cycling not permitted at this location", photo P4, taken from this location, shows a cycle path, a Haslam Park/Nature Reserve sign and a blue-bike sign.
Visitors to the park can include the Nature Reserve route in a walk or cycle. Parking at Cottam Lane and Bristow Avenue park entrances. Link:
komoot.com/highlight/4092174
You can use the route through the reserve as a detour from a Komoot tour that passes close to the park - e. g. via the canal towpath. Join the detour at the highlight location. The detour route ends near the Cottam Lane park entrance. Then rejoin your tour. See Tip2.
The P3 map shows part of a tour (blue route) that includes the photo-guide route through the reserve. If needed, satnav is provided along the detour by that tour, link:
komoot.com/tour/610244459
See Tips 2 to 4 below.
Route Description - Photo-Guide
View in split-screen (Tip6) or 2 screens to see photos alongside the description of the route through the reserve. Best to view photos in the Komoot app.
From the start, blue-bike sign P4, Highlight2 on P3, follow the gravel path - 20 paces. Fork right (P5) onto the off-grid path, hedge on right. In 30 paces go through gap in hedge (P6). Take care - safer to dismount and you may encounter a walker/cyclist approaching the gap. Follow path NW then W. Cycle times based on continuous cycling.
1 min - W to SW - group of trees straight ahead (P7). Continue straight on, W then S between points 5 and 6, on brown, off-grid path (P8 - top of map is west). If using satnav it may instruct to turn left onto blue, on-grid path - ignore it.
Path turns S - group of trees close (P9).
2.5 min - go south (P10). If using satnav, an instruction to turn right, back on-grid. Turn right (W) near the trees to bank of brook, then S and E around edge of field - brook on right.
3.5 min - path more distinct - maybe muddy (P11).
4.5 min - T-junction (P12). Turn right across bridge. No barrier- take care (P13). Turn right. Path divides (P14) - take right fork.
A feint path goes to hedge on left to Cottam Lane (P15).
6 min - P16 looks back through hedge.
Go right in Cottam Lane if you plan to join the canal at bridge 16.
See Tips 2 to 4 for options.
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Ribble Steam Railway
Highlight • Monument
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Cottam Lane Entrance and Parking, Haslam Park
Highlight • Rest Area
Tip1 assumes you view it in Komoot's website and not the app. Tap or click the 1st photo to open a slideshow - 4 photos. If you see only 3 then, to view the full highlight, open using the link:
komoot.com/highlight/4039656
photo1 - Cottam Lane entrance/parking
photo2 - The Park lake
photo3 - Map of park - see Tip2
photo4 - Split-screen - see Tip3
Enlarge a Photo in a Slideshow
Open the slideshow and display photo3 as an example. Then:
Chrome Browser on a Mobile:
1) Tap and Hold photo3 to show the menu
2) Tap "Preview image" to open a larger image
3) Zoom in and out of the image with 'pinch zoom'
4) Tap the black X to return to the slideshow
Windows PC
1) Opposite-Click photo3 - i.e. click the other mouse button - to display the menu
2) Click "Open Image in New Tab"
3) Click the new tab to display a magnified image - the finger-pointer is replaced by a magnifying-glass
4) Point at the Bristow Ave carpark - bottom-right - and click to zoom-in. The + changes to -
5) Click again to zoom-out
6) To close the new tab, click the black X
Firefox Browser on a Mobile
1) Tap and Hold photo3
2) Tap "Open Image in New Tab" - immediately tap "Switch"
3) Zoom in/out of the image with 'pinch zoom'
4) Tap the left-pointing chevron to return to the slideshow.
Two Carparks
1) Cottam Lane Park Entrance - photo1
A quiet location outside the park gate for 5 cars.
The carpark's position is:
53.772323,-2.739807
On an Android, paste the above line into the Google Maps app "Search here" box and then search.
On Windows use a web browser to search for:
Google Maps 53.772323,-2.739807
2) Repeat for the Bristow Avenue Entrance Main Carpark:
53.770746,-2.731662
There are four 8-mile tours you can start at the Park - Tour1, Tour2 etc.
This highlight focuses on alternative parking on the 4 bike tours. The Haslam Park Highlight, link below, describes:
a) the 4 tours, suitable for children with an adult. You can start/end in the park.
b) the park's highlight segment route through the park. That route is followed by the 1st tour, Tour1. It starts at point A - the Cottam Lane entrance.
c) Alternative routes through the park.
d) Suggestions for short walks from the park.
Link: komoot.com/highlight/3873377
Links to the 4 bike tours are included in the above Haslam Park Highlight. To return to the previous page after tapping a link and if using a mobile phone, tap the left pointing chevron/triangle, bottom of screen.
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Tips from the Community
Tip5 Alternative Start Points with Parking for the 4 Tours Tour1 The Marina Carpark at Preston Marina The Marina Carpark Position is: 53.761540,-2.738572 Either: Paste the above line into the Google Maps app "Search here" box and then search - click the magnifying glass icon. Or: open your web browser and search for Google Maps 53.761540,-2.738572 Ashton Park Car Parks Link: Ashton Park Highlight https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5137829 Highlight7 on the Tour1 map
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Tip4 Part (a) below explains the use of a split-screen using 2 web browsers. In Part (b), a practical example, you can use either the single web browser or the 2 web browsers method. (a) How To View In Split-Screen on Windows Using Two Web Browsers - example Microsoft Edge and Chrome. This method is similar to and slightly easier than the method in Tip3, part b). Open this highlight in both web browsers on the Windows PC. Their icons will be visible on the Windows taskbar. Then display one browser on the left side of the screen and one on the right. Open this highlight in both web browsers on the Windows PC. Their icons will be visible on the Windows taskbar. Then display one browser on the left side of the screen and one on the right. (b) Practical Use of a Split Screen Use a split screen to practise zooming into and out of a photo in a slide show. Create a split screen on an Android phone. On one half display the instructions in Tip1 on how to Enlarge a Photo in a Slideshow. Use e.g. a Chrome or Firefox browser on the other half to open the slideshow and display photo3 in the Chrome or Firefox browser. Then practise zooming in and out of photo3. Similarly, using a Windows PC and Photo3 practise the Windows PC instructions on how to zoom-in and out.
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Tip3 How To Split-Screen The aim is, for example, to view relevant Tips or Comments alongside a photo or map. Photo4 shows a split-screen (from Tour1) on an Android phone. View photos or the route map on one half and the description on the other half of the screen. Scroll the 2 halves independently to compare a photo with e.g. a description in the Tips or Comments. If using a tablet or mobile, view the description in the website and the photo in the Komoot app - easier to pinch-zoom to see different parts of the photo. Instructions for (a) Android phone (b) Windows PC/Laptop For an iPhone search online for "Harris iPhone split screen" (a) Android Phone Check online for your Android phone. Not all models support split screen. Tap below to start a video - how to use split-screen. On a mobile, view in landscape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuiKgagO71Y (b) Windows PC/Laptop Easy in Windows 10/11. You can open the same Highlight (or Tour) using 2 web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Chrome, one on the left and one on the right of the screen. Or, you can use a single web browser displayed in 2 windows on the left and the right. Use these instructions to practice the technique. The first instructions below use a single web browser, e.g. Microsoft Edge. Using two web browsers is a little easier - see Tip4. 1) On your Windows PC/laptop, maximise the window if not already full-screen. Copy this highlight's Komoot web address. You need to paste it - see below. 2) Opposite-click this browser's tab on the Windows taskbar. That means click the other mouse button. Then click 'Open new window'. When opened, maximise it, paste and open the web address in the new window and scroll to these instructions so that you can continue to follow them. 3) Press and hold the Windows key on the keyboard and press the left arrow key. The active window moves to the left of the split-screen. 4) You should now see the right-hand half of the first window. Click that window to display it 'on top'. These instructions should still be visible in that window. Check that it's full screen. Press and hold the Windows key again and press the right arrow key. 5) The two windows should now display side-by-side. Scroll one window to display the 1st photo and open the slideshow. Scroll the other for the photo descriptions in the Tips. Then display a photo in one half and a corresponding description in the other.
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Cartford Bridge is a single-track toll bridge in the English county of Lancashire. Built in 1831, it spans the River Wyre, connecting Little Eccleston-with-Larbreck, in the Borough of Fylde, on the southern side of the river, to Out Rawcliffe, in the Borough of Wyre, on its northern side (known locally as "Over Wyre"), carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of Cartford Lane. The tolls are £1 for vehicles exceeding five tonnes, 70p for vehicles exceeding two tonnes, 60p for motorised vehicles not exceeding two tonnes, and 20p for two-wheeled vehicles.
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The Ribble Steam Railway is a standard gauge preserved railway in Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. It was opened to the public on 17 September 2005, running along Preston Docks
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Tip2 The labelled points, (a), (b), (c) etc on photo3 are used to describe Haslam Park Highlight's segment route through the park, which is followed by Tour1, and optional variations. See the Haslam Park, Preston highlight: www.komoot.com/highlight/3873377 Tour1 starts at point A, the Cottam Lane entrance and carpark - bottom-left of map - photo3. The blue line on photo3 is the route of Tour1 through the park, except for the straight line between points (a) and (e) which doesn't follow a path and is not a cycle route. It simply indicates the direction of travel between (a) and (e). The segment route between those 2 points follows a-b-c-f-d-e, the Tour1 satnav route. You can choose your own route on paths between (a) and (e) - details in the Haslam Park Highlight, although easier to follow the satnav route. Tour1 is called the "Lancaster Canal, Ribble Link, River Ribble, Preston Marina Loop" Link: https://www.komoot.com/tour/610244459 From point (e) on photo3, Tour1 crosses a bridge over Savick Brook, point (h), and enters the Haslam Nature Reserve just before point (i) on the canal. If you park at Bristow Avenue carpark, bottom right on map, then for a tour that starts at Cottam Lane point A you can cycle there via points (b) and (a) so that you can start the navigation at point A. However, that is not necessary for Tour1. You can start at and follow the satnav from Bristow Avenue. The satnav will join the tour at (d) and follow the tour's route d-e-h to the canal at bridge 14, point (i). An alternative Tour1 start, in Ashton Park, follows the eastern edge of Ashton Park north to Cottam Lane. Park at one of Ashton Park's two carparks. Link: https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5137829 From Haslam Park, Tour1 follows the Lancaster Canal to bridge 15 - highlight2 on photo3 - then a part of the Haslam Nature Reserve on dirt tracks, a pleasant section of the Guild Wheel route along the Ribble Link and returns via Preston Marina to your start point.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical landmarks can I explore in Kirkham?
Kirkham is rich in history, featuring several notable landmarks. You can visit the historic St. Michael's Church, dating back to the 12th century, or St John the Evangelist (The Willows), designed by the renowned architect Augustus Welby Pugin. The town also boasts 20 listed buildings, many of which are Georgian and Victorian-era structures, and a Kirkham Heritage Trail that guides you through its historic streets.
Are there any natural features or green spaces to enjoy in Kirkham?
Yes, Kirkham offers several natural features and green spaces. Moor Park is a large area with open fields, a lake, and a children's play area, perfect for leisurely strolls. The town also has Kirkham Memorial Park with tranquil gardens, and is known for its beautiful floral displays as part of the 'In Bloom' competition. For a more extensive natural experience, consider visiting Haslam Park Nature Reserve, which provides routes for walking and cycling.
What cultural sites are available for visitors in Kirkham?
Kirkham has a vibrant cultural scene. You can delve into the town's past at the Kirkham Museum, which showcases its heritage through artifacts and displays. The bustling Kirkham Market is held every Thursday in the town center, offering a lively atmosphere and local goods. The old Market Square itself is a central point with a cobbled floor, surrounded by shops.
What outdoor activities, like running or cycling, can I do near Kirkham's attractions?
There are various outdoor activities to enjoy near Kirkham. For running enthusiasts, you can find several trails, including a 'Running loop from Borough of Fylde' and 'The Dub loop from Kirkham and Wesham'. Cyclists can explore routes like the 'Lytham Windmill – Fairhaven Lake loop' or the 'Lancashire Cycleway Signpost – Wharles Crossroads loop'. For more details on these and other routes, check out the Running Trails around Kirkham and MTB Trails around Kirkham guides.
Are there family-friendly attractions in the Kirkham area?
Absolutely! Many attractions around Kirkham are suitable for families. The Ribble Steam Railway is a popular choice, offering rides on historic locomotives and a museum. Moor Park provides open spaces and a children's play area. Additionally, Haslam Park Nature Reserve offers family-friendly walking and cycling routes.
Where can I find easy hiking trails near Kirkham?
For easy hikes near Kirkham, you have several options. Consider trails like the 'Lowther Gardens – Fairhaven Lake loop from Lytham' or the 'Marton Lake loop from National Savings and Investments'. These routes offer manageable distances and terrain. You can find more easy hiking options in the Easy hikes around Kirkham guide.
What is the <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/3843027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin</a> and what can I see there?
The Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin is a significant river feature that connects the Lancaster Canal to the river navigation along Savick Brook. It allows boats to access the River Ribble and other waterways. Visitors can observe the impressive system of locks and the holding basin, which is particularly interesting when boats are navigating the link. It's a great spot for those interested in canal engineering and local waterways.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Kirkham?
Visitors particularly enjoy the blend of historical preservation and natural beauty. The Ribble Steam Railway is highly appreciated for its preservation of railway history and scenic views. The tranquil settings of parks like Moor Park and the engaging experience of the Ribble Link Staircase Locks also receive positive feedback for their unique appeal and opportunities for exploration.
Is there parking available near attractions like Haslam Park?
Yes, for attractions like Haslam Park, parking is available. Specifically, there is the Cottam Lane Entrance and Parking, Haslam Park, which offers a quiet location for cars. This makes it convenient for visitors looking to access the park and its nature reserve for walks or cycles.
What is the <a href="https://www.komoot.com/highlight/570325" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cartford Toll Bridge</a> and what should I know if I visit?
The Cartford Toll Bridge is an interesting toll bridge near Kirkham. It's notable for being one of the few remaining toll bridges in the area. If you are cycling, be aware that cyclists are required to stop and there is a small toll of 20p. It's a unique piece of local infrastructure and a point of interest for many visitors.
Are there any unique points of interest or hidden gems in Kirkham?
Beyond the main attractions, Kirkham has some unique points of interest. The Memorial Gardens offer a touching tribute to those lost in World War I, featuring a poppy installation and trees commemorating fallen soldiers. For book lovers, Book Bean & Ice Cream is a popular local bookstore known for hosting events. The town's commitment to floral displays, having been successful in the National Britain in Bloom Competition, also adds to its charm.
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