14/07/2022 - Thursday Car - Ribchester

B Walk - Walk of the Angels with Stuart & Judith

7 miles (11km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent

The starting point has been changed to the main car park in Ribchester (Sat Nav: PR3 3YH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We start by walking through Parsonage Farm and then onto Lord´s Farm. Now we will cross over the B6245 road at the corner by the Angel´s restaurant. We then follow the minor track to Spring´s Farm. We cross Green Moor Lane and then Stoneygate Lane before descending through Davies Gate Wood and into Duddle Wood via Duddle Hill. We then drop down to Gallows Lane and return to the start via Little Stydd wood to come out by the Ribchester Arms and our return through Ribchester to the car park.

10/07/2022 Sunday Car - Calder Vale

B Walk - Calder Vale with Stuart & Judith

7½ miles (12km) and not too strenuous with about 400ft (122m) of climbing.

Meet at Calder Vale (Sat Nav: PR3 1SD - Nearest Post Code), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We will start our walk in Calder Vale. Parking may be limited in the bottom and we might have to park on the roadside.

This is a very pleasant walk in a beautiful area of Bowland with lots of long views to the coast with the fells of Parlick, Fairsnape and Bleasdale as our backdrop.

We will walk up the valley to the church and then across the fields to Stang Yule. Here we will follow the track past Bleasdale Tower where we will turn right and cross fields to High Moor farm, Huds Brook farm and Butt Hill farm before turning up the track to Cobble Hey and Landskill farms before dropping back down into Calder Vale.

26/06/2022 Coach Walk - Loggerheads & Rhuthun

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Moel Arthur & Moel Famau with Stuart Drysdale

13¼ miles (21.3km) with 2900ft (884m) Total Ascent

We leave Loggerheads following the River Alyn north, and then head for Cilcain. Taking field paths we head north-west past Tre-lan to Firwood Farm, from where we head south-west to Moel Arthur, the site of an Iron Age hill fort. Here we pick up the Offa´s Dyke Path to the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau. Building began on the tower in 1812 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of George III, but it was never completed and was destroyed by a storm in 1862. We then head down north-east, then over Ffrith Mountain to Loggerheads for refreshments and the coach home. 

B+ Walk - A Traverse Of Moel Famau with Dave Colbert

10½ miles (17km) with 2000ft (620m) Total Ascent

This walk takes in the highest summit in Bryniau Clwyd and a section of the Offa´s Dyke National Trail (Llwybr Clawdd Offa).

From Loggerheads, we follow the Afon Alun northward for a short distance before crossing it to contour round the slopes of Ffrith Mountain. There is then a short descent to Cae Newydd before a lengthy but gradual climb takes us to a col on the ridge of Bryniau Clwyd, where we meet the Offa´s Dyke National Trail. Here we turn south, following the ridge for some distance over Moel Dywyll before reaching the summit of Moel Famau, at 555m/1,820ft the high point of Bryniau Clwyd with views extending from Snowdonia across to the Pennines on a clear day. We then descend gradually to Bwlch Penbarra, where we leave the Offa´s Dyke National Trail to continue down to Rhuthun (Ruthin) by way of Teiran and field tracks and paths. Mwynhau!!

B Walk - Loggerheads and Maeshafn with Barbara & Alan

7¾ miles (12.75km) with 1000ft (304.8m) Total Ascent

From Loggerheads car park we turn left on to the A494 for a few yards then crossing the road we turn right towards Cholomendy Outdoor Centre (this was used by children from inner cities such as Liverpool) to experience the outdoors. We then enter woods and continue for approx ½ mile emerging onto a lane where we turn left towards the edge of Maeshafn. We then turn sharp right signed posted Pentre Cerrig and follow this into woods.

Further on we reach Maeshafyn where we find the Miners Arms. Following the road to a junction we turn left here to enter on our right Moel Findeg Nature Reserve which then takes us to the summit of Moel Findeg which has extensive views considering the modest hill.

We then make our way downhill and after passing quarries and several fields we reach the road at Gwernymynydd, crossing the road we follow a track for little over ½ mile. We then emerge on to the road again and crossing to the opposite side to find “Deborahs Well” where there is a plaque engraved. Deborah lived nearby and when Cholera came to the area she arranged for those affected to move to higher ground but did not understand that Cholera was a water born disease. A hospital was built and all was well until the cholera spread and Deborah was accused of cursing those affected and thus was sentenced to burning by the villagers and so the hospital with all those inside including Deborah were killed when the building was set on fire. We then carry on further through woods where we follow a footpath back to a T junction and here turn left to retrace our steps back to the road and a short walk back to the car park.

Alternatively we could turn right and continue down some steep steps back to the tea garden.

C Walk - Ruthin Circular with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

7 miles (11.2km) with 164ft (50m) Total Ascent

The walk starts from Ruthin Craft Centre/Coach Park. Toilets are available.

After leaving Ruthin, we climb to Ty´n y ceau and then down to the River Clywedog. Alongside the river is a footpath known as Lady Bagot´s Drive which leads us to the head of the gorge. Then we follow an upper path to Rhewl village and return to Ruthin by fields and the River Clwyd. 

15/06/2022 Stroller - Glasson Dock

Glasson Dock with Trudy Kirkham

2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc and starts at 10:30am.

Meet at Conder Green picnic site (Sat Nav: LA2 0AN), then afterwards Stork hotel, Carricks Lane, Conder green (LA2 0AN).

Turn left coming from Preston at the Stork hotel down a single track road to get to the picnic site carpark.

A circular walk, fairly level, with no stiles on tracks and grass, with a small amount on the road., Plus a chance to visit the smokehouse at Glasson. There are free toilets at Conder Green, but a parking charge of £1 a day, paid by card at the machine. There are more loos at Glasson they are 20p. We finish with lunch at the Stork hotel carricks lane Conder green LA2 0AN.

09/06/2022 Thursday Car - Newton Easington Fell circular

B Walk - Newton Easington Fell circular with Susan Douglass 

7 miles (11km) with 790ft (232m) Total Ascent

Meet at Newton in Bowland Car Park (on the left as you leave the village on the road to Slaidburn) (Sat Nav: Nearest BB7 3EB), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

No details available.

29/05/2022 Coach Walk - Pateley Bridge

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Nidderdale Way with Stuart Drysdale

13½ miles (22km) with 1700ft (518m) Total Ascent

From the coach we follow the Nidderdale Way past the old lead mines at Ashfold Side Beck and on though Heathfield down to Gouthwaite Reservoir. Unfortunately we have a long road walk alongside the reservoir to Ramsgill, from where we head to Longside Farm to we pick up the Nidderdale Way again all the way back to Pateley Bridge for refreshments and the coach home. 

B+ Walk - Nidderdale Way with Val Walmsley

10.4 miles (16.5km) with 676ft (205m) Total Ascent

Join Nidderdale Way west uphill passing Eagle Hall, Riggs House to cross disused quarry to Moss Bottom. North to Heathfield then alongside Gouthwaite Reservoir for about 2 miles to Ramsgill. Here cross Nidd bridge to Bouthwaite & rejoin way on east side of reservoir passing Coville House Farm thro´ Spring Wood to Old Norse village of Wath & returning alongside the river Nidd to Pateley Bridge to view its attractions.

B Walk - Brimham Rocks with Stuart Arnold

8½ miles (13.6km) with 985ft (300m) Total Ascent

We begin our walk today on the car park at Pateley Bridge. From here we cross the bridge and walk up the main street to take the panorama walk which is fairly steep at the beginning. We are now on the Nidderdale way which we follow for much of the way to Brimham rocks going through the nice little Hamlet of Blazefield.

After passing white houses we leave the Nidderdale way to walk near High North Pasture Farm. We follow a good path to the National Trust boundary notice and turn right to begin our walk through the wierdly shaped rocks which have been eroded by glaciation and weathering. If we get a move on on this first part of the walk we should be able to spend some time walking around the rocks to view the “Idol” the “Eagle” the “Lovers´ Leap” and many more. At the visitor centre we can purchase drinks and have a toilet stop. From here we drop down to the river Nidd which we will follow back to our starting point.

This is a beautiful walk in a lovely area of the countryside with the culmination of the spectacular rock formations which are truly impressive.

C Walk - Nidderdale Circular with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

6 miles (9.7km) with 577ft (176m) Total Ascent

Most of the walk is on good paths, mainly small lanes and tracks. There is only one stone stile!

We climb steadily out of Pateley Bridge towards Eagle Hall where we join the Nidderdale Way. Walking westwards with panoramic views, we pass Riggs House and Hillend to Brandstone Dub Bridge. From there we follow the path up to the old lead mines and round the spoil heaps, down to the bridge over Ashford Side Beck. It´s all downhill from now on, along the beck and through caravan parks to Corn Close.

We return to Pateley Bridge alongside the River Nidd.

18/05/2022 Stroller - Stanley Park, Blackpool

Stanley Park with Roy Smith

2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a venue for drinks / snacks / meals etc and starts at 10:30am.

Meet at the car park West Park Drive, Blackpool (Sat Nav:FY3 9HU), then afterwards at the Art Deco Cafè on the park.

15/05/2022 Sunday Car - Brinscall

B Walk - Brinscall with Dorothy Dobson

7¾ miles (12.5km) with mainly flat walking.

Meet at Brinscall Baths (Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Fingers crossed, I am hoping that the bluebells will be in bloom when I lead this walk.

From Brinscall we take a path for about a mile through a nature reserve to eventually cross the A675 north of Abbey Village. Staying straight ahead we then turn south to follow an undulating path through the wood and alongside the reservoir. We then pass over fields before reaching a lane to come out by Hare and Hounds. Here we take a good wide path to walk all the way round Roddlesworth reservoir, back by Abbey Village to retrace our steps to Brinscall.

Apart from two short inclines the walk is mainly flat and should be enjoyable.

12/05/2022 Thursday Car - Calder Vale

B Walk - Calder Vale with Dorothy Dobson

Meet at Garstang riverside car park (Sat Nav: PR3 1EB), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

I decided to lead this walk in May as, hopefully, the bluebells should be in bloom.

We follow a good path out of Garstang to head east, over the M6, through lanes and fields before descending steps in the woods to reach Calder Vale. On the return we again go through fields passing the remains of Greenhalgh castle and back to the car park.

A lovely walk!

01/05/2022 Coach Walk - Bassenthwaite

May

8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

A Walk - Blencathra & the Back o´ Skiddaw with Graham Hogg

10½ miles (17km) with 2700ft (826m) Total Ascent

Today we have the opportunity for a splendid linear walk across Blencathra, Mungrisdale Common and the vast area often referred to as the “Back o´ Skiddaw” on route to Bassenthwaite village.

We depart the coach from the A66 Layby at Lowside. A slight back track along the A66 enables us to join a footpath that climbs steadily into Mousthwaite Comb and then steeply along the crest of Scales Fell to the summit of Blencathra, standing at 868m above sea level. From here we turn north to Atkinson Pike (845m) before striking off in a north westerly direction over Mungrisdale Common towards the Cloven Stone. The stone is a fascinating feature and as its name indicates it is roughly the shape of a large cloven hoof.

Heading downhill we soon join the Cumbria Way, passing Skiddaw House Youth Hostel before climbing again slightly to contour the flanks of Great and Little Calva.

It is a straightforward route downhill from the Whitewater Dash waterfall all the way to Bassenthwaite via Peter House Farm. 

B+ Walk - Cumbria Way & Whitewater Dash with Dave Thornton

10.4 miles (16.75km) with 1410ft (430m) Total Ascent

Starting in Great Crosthwaite on the outskirts of Keswick, we first head eastwards to Briar Rigg where we then start a gradual climb on the Cumbria Way around the base of Latrigg. For those with eyes in the back of their head there are superb views over Derwent Water and Cat Bells. We continue northwards along the Cumbria Way passing Skiddaw House and Whitewater Dash (waterfall). Passing between Cockup and Black Nettle Hause we begin our descent leaving the fells behind us and pass Peter House Farm and finish in Bassenthwaite for some well earned refreshments.

B Walk - Binsey with Judith & Stuart

8½ miles 13.4km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent

We leave Bassenthwaite and cross farmland to reach Kestrel Lodge. Here we join the Cumbria way as we pass through Whitefield Wood and on to Orthwaite where we turn north to Overwater Hall and the foot of Binsey.

Here we will climb the 600ft to the top where we will have wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Descending we will reach High Bewaldeth. A short walk on the road will then allow us to descend through Robin Hood Wood back into Bassenthwaite.

C Walk - Allerdale Ramble with Bill Manning

6 miles (9.7km) with 425ft (130m) Total Ascent.

Starting from Bassenthwaite we leave by walking up the lane to join field paths taking us to Peter House Farm. Here, we continue down the lane to meet the track at Melbecks which passes through woodland by a disused pit. We then drop down to Hole House before our first climb takes us up to Barkbeth.

From here we will have fine views of Bassenthwaite Lake before we cross over the A591 where, passing through farm land, Mire Side and Scarness, we join the Allerdale Ramble itself. We leave this path to head up to Kilnhill to meet the lane back to Bassenthwaite. The Sun Inn will be open for food and drinks.