We are based in Lancashire in the North West of England but our walks take us round the UK's National Parks & National Landscapes, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District & North Wales. *** To view the next walk - Please scroll to the bottom ***
Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am
Meet at Haigh Hall Country Park car park (Sat Nav: WN2 1PE), then afterwards at the Country Park tea rooms.
Meet at Botany Bay, Canal Mill, Chorley (Sat Nav: PR6 9AF), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
We begin by walking along the canal to cross the road to head off up Healey Nab. On reaching the top we have good views of surrounding areas (weather permitting). We then go on to Anglezarke reservoir and on to White Coppice, where hopefully the cricket pavilion will be open. We follow the goit then through fields and woodland to pass three reservoirs and eventually back to the start.
Meet at Birkacre Visitor Centre, Yarrow Valley Park (Sat Nav: PR7 3QL Map Ref: GR570153), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
The Chorley Circular Walk is a 10 mile walk linking Chorley town to its countryside.
We leave Yarrow Valley Park and after a short road walk make our way into the meadows of the Yarrow Valley. We follow the river on informal paths to Yarrow Farm and take the Chorley Loop to Astley Park where we will have lunch. After lunch we will walk through the park to the memorial entrance and walk through the town area heading for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Leaving the canal after a couple of miles we turn into Duxbury Park and descend into Duxbury Woods. Walking through the woods and through fields we then make our way back to the café and car park at Yarrow Valley Park.
The “A” walk today will take in some of the finest tops occupying the north-east corner of the high country “Back o’ Skidda”. We’ll include the highest of the Caldbeck Fells - namely Knott (710m/2329ft) and also High Pike (658m/2157ft).
The approach from Caldbeck takes us first to Fell Side, along Dale Beck and then into the splendid confines of Roughton Gill.
According to Wainwright, Roughton Gill is - “a steep and rocky watercourse, all waterfalls and cascades, which has escaped (or recovered from) the despoliation of three centuries of mining, and is entirely charming. The climb up the ravine entails a little rough scrambling but is less formidable than appears likely on the approach.
”All too soon we exit at the top of the gill for the final pull up to Knott, where AW suggests that a group of walkers may partake in a game of cricket given the quality of the turf on the summit!
I think we will just settle for a short rest and drink stop before continuing on to Great Lingy Hill and then over to High Pike before the gradual descent back to Caldbeck via Nether Row.
The Caldbeck area used to provide work for many in the mines in this area, most of the industry is now gone, along with 5 of the 6 public houses in Caldbeck. High Pike is fine walking territory, with lots of disused mines to see.
We start out walk today from Caldbeck and proceed to make our way to Nether Row via the Cumbria Way, before climbing to the summit of High Pike at 2138ft / 653mtr (with seat for tired legs). High Pike commands good views (weather permitting), ranging from the West Cumbrian coast & Solway Firth, to the Scottish lowlands in the North and the Edan Valley backed by the Pennines in the East. From the summit we make our return to Caldbeck, passing many disussed mine shafts on the way and picking up the Cumbria way and Cald Beck, before arriving back, hopefully in time for a brew, Tea or something stronger maybe.
When we start walks from Caldbeck they always seem to head out southwards, westwards or eastwards towards the likes of High Pike, Whelpo or Hesket Newmarket, so I have decided to head north of Caldbeck for once.
From St Kentigern's Church, where John Peel is buried, as well as Mary Harrison who lived at the time of Wordsworth and on whom Melvyn Bragg's book "The Maid of Buttermere" is based, we climb gently northwards past Rylands to Fellhill Farm and Warnell Fell, at 1000ft the highest point of the walk with superb views in all directions. From there we descend north east to cross the B 5305 and take a minor road for a short distance to Papergill and on to another minor road leading to Bell Bridge to join the Cumbria Way. We undulate along that route, first south and then west, for the whole distance back to Caldbeck.
Starting our walk from Caldbeck, we make our way to the main streets or the toilet stop. Continuing, we head for Welpo Beck to follow the tree lined path to the Howk Bobbin Mill. Leaving here by the way of two sets of steps we continue along field paths to the Hamlet of Welpo. After crossing the road bridge we turn right before passing through a farm yard. We now climb up grassy paths to meet a road and turn left shortly to join the Cumbria way leading us to Nether. From here we walk along tracks and fields to Matthew Rudding and leading us back to Caldbeck for refreshments and the coaches.
Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am
Meet at the Art Deco Café car park, Stanley Park (Sat Nav: FY3 8LS), then afterwards at the café.
Meet at Bilsborrow Village Hall (Sat Nav:PR3 0RP), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
Starting from Bilsborrow Village Hall we turn right and follow the A6 to Brock Garage.
After crossing over the footbridge we follow the river Brock along fields and tracks to Brock Bottoms via Matshead, Brock Side and Walmsley Bridge. Leaving Brock Bottoms via the bridge we climb up the lane before crossing over fields to Lower Trotter Hill. From here we walk along the road into Inglewhite village and continue to the riverside via Scotch Green and Lower House. On reaching Brock Side we retrace our steps to Matshead and turning left by the old mill we cross fields to Bilsborrow and the lane taking us back to the village hall.
Meet at Carr Lane Car Park (Sat Nav:WN8 7RU Map Ref: GR509064), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
From the A5209 Parbold by- pass head towards Newburgh. ( If using the M6 exit at J27 Parbold). After passing the Wayfarer pub take the 1st Left (Higher Lane) at a mini roundabout, continue straight on and after passing a church the road swings left and becomes Beacon Lane. Continue past 2 pubs on Left. Park on the Large car park on the Right 400 yards PAST the entrance to Beacon Golf Club and Country Park.
The walk goes through the country park and visits Ashurst Beacon then goes down to Appley Bridge to join the Leeds Liverpool canal which is followed to Gathurst before returning via Roby Mill.
Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell together make up the western side of Mallerstang, valley of the infant River Eden. We have the opportunity to visit both these fells today in a linear walk from Garsdale Head through to Kirkby Stephen.
Leaving the coach on the B6259, (just after the Moorcock Railway tunnel), our route first takes us across South Lunds pasture to Turner Hill (465m) where we then have a gradual ascent to Swarth Fell Pike (651m) and Swarth Fell (681m). The views from the summit are excellent and include Wild Boar Fell, High Seat, Mallerstang and the upper reaches of Wensleydale.
We now descend for sixty metres or so to the relatively large tarn that sits in the col between Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell. From here, it is a short pull to the summit of Wild Boar Fell itself, standing at 708m. (According to Wainwright the fell gets its name from the wild boar which inhabited the area over 500 years ago). As we descend northwards over Little Fell (559m) and down Greenlaw Rigg we’ll get a glimpse of Pendragon Castle. According to legend, the castle was built by Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur. However, in reality the castle was built in the 12th century by Ranulph de Meschines, during the reign of King William Rufus. It has the remains of a Norman, with the later addition of a 14th century garderobe turret and some further additions in the 17th century.
On reaching the “Tommy Road” we head down to the River Eden and pick up the “Pennine Journey" footpath which we will follow all the way to Kirkby Stephen and the coach.
Leaving Kirkby Stephen we head north west to Busk and continue by crossing Scandale Beck to Soulby, with its three acre green. We follow the beck south west to Smardale Mill and west to Crosby Garrett and there may be a chance to visit the Grade 1 listed St. Andrews Church with an Anglo Saxon Chancel.
We now pass under the Settle Carlisle railway and continue south passing Bull Flat with views over Smardale Gill and the viaduct to Pillow Mounds and Smardale Bridge. Now north east over Smardale Fell to Smardale Hall and return via Greenriggs and Crogham Castle remains. "Have a nice day".
The walk leaves Kirkby Stephen by Franks Bridge over the River Eden and proceeds south along the river for a while, through the village of Nateby and on to Wharton Hall, a mid-16th century building. From there the walk continues south to reach Lammerside Castle, an oblong 14th century Pele Tower. The next section crosses Birkett Common before eventually reaching Pendragon Castle, which dates from the 12th century (Norman).
At this point, after 5.25 miles, the walk turns back towards Kirkby Stephen, climbing up the Tommy Road before joining the Settle to Carlisle railway line (the highest and most costly to be built in England). The walk soon crosses this line and leads north to Bullgill where it veers off north east on a bridleway, above Wharton Hall, to re-join the river near Halfpenny House. The rest of the walk follows the river north through Stenkrith Park and back into Kirkby Stephen.
Todays walk starts and finishes in Kirkby Stephen. The walk consists of bridleways, wild meadows and fields, riverside walking and well maintained tracks.
From our drop off we make our way downhill to the River Eden. Crossing Frank’s Bridge we follow the east bank of the river, at this point part of the Coast to Coast walk. Slowly moving south we move slightly away from the river to follow a bridleway which takes us southwest, over the dismantled railway down to the hamlet of Nateby. From here we walk uphill through wild meadows to Lockthwaite. Our route now takes us over pasture land alongside Ladthwaite Beck to Ladthwaite. This is our farthest point. Making our way back we are now on a well maintained track. This part of the walk provides excellent views over the surrounding countryside and Kirkby Stephen. Once past Hartley Quarry we cross the dismantled railway again, before making our way back to Frank's Bridge and Kirkby Stephen.
Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am
Meet at main car park just inside the car park entrance (Sat Nav: PR25 1DJ), then afterwards at the Dunkirk Hall Pub, Dunkirk Lane, Leyland (Sat Nav: PR26 7SW).
Meet at the car park adjacent to St Michaels Primary School on Hall Lane (post code PR3 0TQ, GR 462409) for the usual start time of 10.30am.
We proceed in a westerly direction via Wyre Hall to join the River Wyre which we then follow along its meanders to Cartford Toll Bridge where we cross the river (no charge for pedestrians). From there we head north to reach the Wyre Way which leads eastwards mainly along tracks and through agricultural fields back to St Michaels.
Meet at car park (Sat Nav: WN2 1PE) (£3 - café/restaurant on site) ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.
Starting from the car park we make our way to the Stables Courtyard (toilets). From here we go and look at Haigh Hall before following paths via the Lily pond and the all ages play equipment/putting. We then continue on our way through the walled gardens before taking the woodland path via the narrow gauge railway track down to reach the canal. Crossing over, we follow the tow path to Red Rock bridge. Leaving here we start our climb up through the fields and tracks to meet the lane back to the cars. This walk may change on the day.