Living in Halton
The neighbourhood
Halton Village has a school, a lively community centre (with excellent facilities for children including a skate park), shops, pub, two churches, a doctors' surgery and post office. It’s easy to get to Lancaster by a riverside cycle path and regular buses (no. 49).
Lancaster is 3 miles away. It's a great location with excellent rail and road connections. There's lots going on yet it’s small enough to walk nearly everywhere. It’s set in beautiful countryside, with the Lake District, the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and Morecambe Bay all within easy reach.
- Virtual Lancaster - a great community resources and visitors guide
- Let's move to...' - a 2008 article from The Guardian
- Visit Lancaster - the official visitors guide
- The City Council website
Lancaster was named one of the happiest places to live in the UK - see report in July 2020.
Is there a bus into Lancaster?
There are buses (no. 49) every half hour on weekdays between 7am and 7pm, and a reduced bus service on Saturday. There are no buses on Sunday or at weekends. We share a community bus pass - you pay £2.50 for a round trip into town or the University. The bus stop is 10 minutes walk from Forgebank Walk.
Is it easy to cycle into Lancaster?
There is a lit, flat, paved cycle path to Halton from Lancaster (approx 3 miles), though part of the route is closed until March 2021 (with an alternative route provided). Each home has a bike stand outside, and we have a large bike store and a small bike workshop space. We have a communal folding bike and electric bike which members can book.
Local schools,
There is a varied choice of schools in the area. Some of our children are part of the diverse and supportive home education community in North Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Primary schools
A few of our children are at St Wilfrids C of E Primary school (a 15 to 20 min walk). Others attend or have attended Lancaster Steiner School, Caton Primary School, Ellell St John’s School and Quernmore C.E (VC) Primary School. Other fairly local schools are Nether Kellet Community Primary School and Skerton St Luke's CE Primary School.
Secondary schools
Children from the village go to many different Secondary Schools. Last year the largest proportion (of the Primary School leavers) went to Carnforth High School but this varies from year to year. Rural High schools within bus distance are
Lancaster schools include
- Central Lancaster High School
- Our Lady’s Catholic College
- Lancaster Royal Grammar School (selective secondary school for boys)
- Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
- Ripley St Thomas - Church of England Academy
Childcare
At Forgebank, there is some informal swapping of childcare between parents as children go to play at each other homes – spontaneously or pre-arranged.
- “Options for childcare are great - often neighbours are willing to babysit. We do pay the young adults when they are around or have arrangements outside cohousing.”
- “My child has a great relationship with some of the adult neighbours, so he sometimes spends time with them.”
For pre-schoolers Rachel Donald is a highly recommended childminder in the village. There is also a nursery and a preschool nearby.
For school age children, the Halton Kids Club, at The Centre, is great and convenient for paid childcare, before or after school, if necessary. In the school holidays there are often holiday clubs at the Centre at Halton, and in Caton.
Local facilities and activities for children and young people
There are plenty of different hobby opportunities for children in Halton, Caton, Lancaster and throughout the District.
The Halton Community Centre (The Centre) is a fantastic resource on our doorstep; families and young people travel from across the district to use it! It includes a skatepark, quality outdoor play areas, a café with playspace for small children and a Multi Use Games area (MUGA). It holds events and there are many regular classes and activities.
Organised children’s activities available in Halton (as of May ’17)
- Dance
- Beavers, cubs and scouts
- Enjoy a ball
- Football
- Art
In nearby Caton and Lancaster there are many more opportunities such as self defence, Woodcraft Folk and gymnastics.
Salt Ayre Multi Sports centre and swimming pool is within cycling distance, and there are swimming lessons at 3-1-5 health club about 2 miles away (along the cycle path)
Leighton Moss RSPB reserve in Silverdale is easily accessible by train and has activities and clubs for different ages.
