Garstang is situated midway between Lancaster and Preston. Back in the 18th century, it was an important staging post for the mail and passenger coaches. Off the High Street are numerous old buildings and ‘weinds’ (narrow alleyways). In the centre is the Market Cross, the Old Town Hall and the Market House. At the top end of the High Street is the old Grammar School which is now the Arts Centre. Nearby are the ruins of Greenhalgh Castle, built in 1490 and virtually destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in 1646. In 2002 the castle had another siege with people coming from all over the country to enact in traditional costume the original events of 1646.

Every Thursday is market day. This dates back to 1310 when King Edward II granted a charter to hold a weekly street market. There are 70 stalls which extend the length of the High St. We always avoid driving along here on Thursdays as the stalls take up much of the road and it does sometimes get congested – best to park somewhere, possibly the public pay and display parks near the Discovery Centre, or the other near Booths supermarket. The rents to the stall holders are minimal, as low as £7 for the day. The rent is used to support worthy causes such as the Arts Centre and the Christmas festival and lights.

There are some nice little specialist shops in Garstang. We like Hamlets the butchers which is at the far end of the High Street, near Dantes the Italian takeaway. Their pies, pork, steak and sausage rolls are our favourites. The meat products, including pork and black-pudding sausages are excellent and always on our bbq shopping list!

In early December the town is lit with Christmas Lights and on the Monday and Tuesday evening of the week prior to Christmas Day, there is a Victorian festival. People dress in costume and there is music and street entertainment. Shops and businesses stay open late.

On Wednesday afternoon you may find that a lot of the shops still keep to the tradition of half day closing – this of course does not apply to the supermarkets, most of which are open until 7.30 or 8, except Sundays when it is normally 4pm.

There are 2 car parks, one is at the top end of the High St, this is a pay and display . The other is across the road from Booths, next to the leisure centre and skateboarding park. (The public toilets are on this car park). Beware, traffic wardens do patrol the car parks occasionally.

Behind the car park at the top of the High Street is the sports field and a nice walk along the River Wyre. You can either turn right and walk behind the houses and shops along the High Street, or if you turn left, you can walk along the river, through the public footpaths and eventually end up back here. It should take about 45 minutes to an hour. The walk can also be done with a narrow pushchair/buggy (personal experience) There is a metal bridge with some steps over the river and it is not very wide. It is however a very pleasant walk and certainly worth making the effort. The sports field in spring and summer turns into a picnic area with lots of ducks congregating on the river bank.
In August, on one of the Saturdays, is held the one day, Garstang Country Fair. It is one of the largest and most popular in the county.