Preston to the Bay Horse Inn - Distance 16.84 miles - LRO ref DDX 194/22

This section is mainly on the present day A6 and is split into two parts because the surveyors recorded the journey on separate sheets of paper. The mileage readings on the measuring wheel were continuous from Preston through to Lancaster 22.67 miles in total.

A long day commenced in Preston market place and left by Friargate noting the end of St. John’s “weend”, [narrow entrance], Friargate Bars, fryer “weend” and the building end with “spittas mosse” away to the left. Up Moor Lane with shrubs both sides to Salters Lane junction this side of the “moorgate”. This gate was positioned this far out of town to stop unwanted traders and forestallers coming into town on market day via Salters Lane thus by-passing the Friargate Bar. Open ground over Preston Moor with branch to Capt. Clayton’s then to Watling Street. Left by the now Withy Trees then right into Plungington Lane; over Savick Brook and open ground across “Caddaley moor” to Sharoe Brook. Here the road was bordered with shrubs and occasional houses as far as Broughton Church where at the brook side was “ye Red Lyon” at 3.5 miles.

From here, at both sides, young oaks were scattered as far as the “Goosnargh/plunton” [Woodplumpton] cross roads. Dwellings were set intermittently on both sides for the next seven miles, which is probably why it was known as the Great Road North. Over Cardale Bridge into Barton with the branch road “to ye Eives [Eaves] or Sorbey” [Sowerby] with the Swan inn 500 yards further along.

The road opened out into a dual carriageway by St. Lawrence’s Chapel with dwellings on the central reservation. This wide section has been closed and built on as late as 1999. From here for nearly two miles was medium sized trees spread on both sides with shrubs between. Also on this stretch were side roads leading to the mosse, Masca [Myerscough] by Richard Crosse’s dwelling, Goosnargh Chapel and Inglewhite fair. If a fair was in progress we may have a hint of the time of year that the survey was made.

There were three fairs held annually.

1. Horned cattle in Rogation Week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day.

2. Sheep, 25 April.

3. Cattle and calves, 18 October.

“Baccus bridg” went over the stream at Bilsborrow with dwellings all the way to Brock bridge after which the open road crossed “Houth [Howarth] Moor” for more than a mile to just over 9.5 miles from Preston. The route wound its way into Garstang with the first houses about 400 yards from the town centre. They recorded 14 houses before the chapel on the right plus 11 further on. On the other side 6 before the cross, 8 after it, 2 in the corn market and 19 beyond. There may have been another cross in the market place. Charles II granted the Garstang Market Charter in 1680, five years before this survey.

Leaving Garstang, they passed ways to Lingate, Wyersdale, Pilling Moss, Cockerham and “Kibey” [Cabus] Nook. The road then had shrubs on both sides before the branch to Cleveley, more shrubs and trees arriving at Ellel Moor the location of the present Bay Horse Inn when they ran out of paper at 16 : 6 : 28 and started a new sheet.