16/02/2025 Sunday Car - Tarleton

 

February

Start 10:30am

Tarleton with Margaret Oliver
5 Miles / km with flat walking

Meet at Car parking behind Spar in Tarleton (Sat Nav: PR4 6TU ), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

Walk down Church Road to cross the A59.  Passing through Sollom, crossing the canal  bridge and through open farm land over the River Douglas and  on to Bank Hall.  A short walk to the main road and back to the cars in Tarleton.

Due to the shortness of the walk and there being no suitable place to sit, we can stop for a stand up coffee break (if wanted) during the walk but there won’t be a lunch stop.

13/02/2025 Thursday Car - Wayoh and Turton Tower

 

February

Start:10:30am

Wayoh and Turton Tower with Chris Cook
6 Miles /9.7km undulating.

Please note change to walk start.

Meet at Batridge Barn car park, Entwistle (Sat Nav: BL7 0LU), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

Walk taking in Jumbles, Wayoh and Turton Tower. All good paths no climbing. It's a lovely area.

Hope to see you all there. Happy Days.

02/02/2025 Coach - Grasmere

 

February

8:00 Start with 17:00 Return

Dove Crag & Fairfield with Dave Colbert
9½ Miles / 15km with 3.250ft / 990m Total Ascent

The ‘Fairfield Horseshoe’ is one of the Lake District’s classic fell walks and rightly so, and today we will hike around three quarters of it, taking in six of the eight ‘Wainwright’ tops on the round.  Starting from the Rydal Road car park just north of Ambleside town centre, we take the lane to Low Sweden Bridge before climbing onto the eastern arm of said horseshoe.  Our route is along the broad ridge taking in Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag before reaching Fairfield itself, at 873m/2,865ft the highest point on the walk.  We then head for Great Rigg, leaving the horseshoe here to descend to Grasmere, grabbing a bonus ‘Wainwright’ Stone Arthur on the way.

Please note that weather and/or fell conditions on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower-level hike.  Various options are available but unless it’s really bad, we will follow a linear route from Brockhole to Grasmere taking in Wansfell’ ridge and Loughrigg Fell.  This is similar in terms of both length and the amount of climbing.

Helm Crag and Far Easedale with Stuart Arnold

8½ Miles / 13.6km with 2,000ft / 610m Total Ascent

We will walk up the road out of Grasmere to Lancrigg where we begin our ascent of Helm Crag locally known as the Lion and the Lamb or the Howitzer.

We then follow the ridge for 2½ miles going over two more Wainwright's Gibson Knott and Calf Crag.

Here we begin our descent into far Easedale Gill and follow this all the way back into Grasmere.

Grasmere & Rydal Water Circular with Christine & Margaret

7½ Miles / 11km with 750ft / 229m Total Ascent

From Grasmere we go up Red Band Road, then down to Grasmere lake, follow the River Rothey, then Loughrigg Terrace, then crossing Pelter Bridge, Rydal Mount then on to the Coffin route back to Grasmere for Refreshments, A lovely walk, lets hope the weather is kind to us.

Grasmere Circular with Barbara Gilbert & Jan Atkins

5.2 Miles / 8.3km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent

From car park in Grasmere (toilets 50p card only payment)

We follow the road South East towards Town End to pass Dove Cottage (former home of William Wordsworth). The route then passes the woodland of White Moss Common before picking up the popular Coffin Route (so called as it was used to convey coffins on their final journey to St Oswalds Church in Grasmere). This route follows it to Rydal Mount and Rydal Hall where there are pretty gardens and a rushing waterfall.

The walk turns south to cross a footbridge over the River Rothay before picking up a woodland path which takes you to Rydal Water where we follow the lakeside trail to reach Grasmere Lake passing a rushing weir. The path runs for half a mile. A short climb towards a country lane which we then follow back to Grasmere for refreshments.

Note: There are a few tricky parts to negotiate but nothing too difficult.

19/01/2025 Coach - Kirkby Lonsdale

 

January

8:00 Start with 16:30 return

Please Note: There will be no local walk today as this has been replaced by the coach outing.

A Walk – Middleton Fell with Dave Colbert
11¾ Miles / 19km with 2,500ft / 765m Total Ascent

Middleton Fell is a bit of an oddity; wedged between the Lune Valley and the deep-cut trench of Barbondale, it lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet geologically is an eastward extension of the Silurian slate landscape of the South Lakes.  For many years Calf Top, the highest point, was thought to be just shy of 2,000 feet, but recent surveys have shown it to be 2,000 feet exactly!  Unfortunately, access points are quite limited, so how best to tackle it from the south?

We start from Hodge Bridge on the A683 and walk through the village of Barbon to the church before crossing Barbon Beck.  The climbing starts from Eskholme up an increasingly well-defined, curving ridge to the summit of Castle Knott (538m/1,765ft), beyond which lies Calf Top (610m/2,000ft) and its Trig Point.  Unfortunately, the eastern and southern flanks of Middleton Fell are extremely steep, so we will retrace our steps over Castle Knott and back to Barbon before heading to Kirkby Lonsdale by way of Fellfoot Road (a track) and High Casterton.

If weather conditions are poor (heavy rain/snow and/or strong winds) we will do a longer version of the B+, starting from Casterton.  This is about the same length but with just over 150 meters / 500 feet less climbing.

B+ Walk – Barbon Low Fell with Sue Banister
9 Miles / 14.5km with 1,345ft / 410m Total Ascent

We leave the coach a few miles north of Kirby Lonsdale on the A683 at Hodge Bridge then head east through Barbon village and into the grounds of Barbon Manor to access Barbondale.  After crossing the beck at Blindbeck Bridge we head south on a bridleway to Bullpot Farm.
This is home to the Red Rose Caving and Pot Holing Club and you are standing over the longest caving system in Britain known as the Three Counties system. You can go underground in Yorkshire, pass under Lancashire, and emerge in Cumbria!

From Bullpot we have a short stretch of lane before heading up the fell to the trig point and highest point of Barbon Low Fell at 1437ft (438m). 
We then cross to the cairn on Brownthwaite Pike 1382ft (421m) after which its downhill back to Kirby via Blindloss Farm, Cragg House Farm, and Latha Lane. 

B Walk – The Limestone Stacks of Uberash Breast with Stuart Arnold
8 Miles / 12.9km with 700ft / 213m Total Ascent

This is a linear walk which will start as we leave the bus after exiting the motorway at Junction 36.  We will join the canal and follow it South for about 1½ miles. We then cross the A6070 and at Holme Park Farm we join a path which takes us round the base of Holmepark Fell. This then leads across Uberash Plain to pass Keller well and round Hutton Roof Crags into the village of Hutton Roof.
Following field paths we pass Longfield Barn, Biggins Home Farm, High Biggins and Wood End eventually reaching Kirby Lonsdale and the end of another excellent walk.

C Walk – A walk around Casterton with Dorothy Dobson

6 Miles / 9.7km with Little climbing

Starting from Devil’s Bridge (Toilets 50p card only) we cross over A683 to walk up Laithe Lane, passing the caravan park and golf course. We then go across the main road again to join a footpath over the fields to Casterton . 

Depending on the weather I may take an alternative route at this point.

However this is the way I reccied it, so, on reaching the church we branch left along a lane and under a disused railway bridge to Langthwaite.

From here we take a field path which skirts the bottom of Leck Fell, then back on the road we pass Fell Yeat Farm before going along the lanes to Devil’s Bridge and into the town.

15/01/2025 Stroller - January Meal

 

January

12 noon Start

Stroller January Meal at The Horns Inn
Strollers New Year gathering and social get together.

Meet at The Horns Inn, The Avenue, Chuchtown , Preston (Sat Nav: PR3 0HR).

12 noon start ( apparently, they can only do group bookings for a noon sitting).

09/01/2025 Thursday Car - Catforth

 

January

Start 10:30am

Catforth with Chris Airey
6½ Miles / 10.5km with mainly lanes and fields flat walking.

Meet opposite Crown lane in Rosemary lane (cul de sac),  (Sat Nav: PR4 0HB), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

No details available.

06/01/2025 Committee Meeting

 

January

Start time:7:00pm Finish 9:00pm

Committee meetings are held on Mondays.
Start at 7:00pm and finish at 9:00pm.

All members are welcome.

We meet at the Over 60s Club, Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0AR.

12/12/2024 Thursday Car - A walk around the Brinscall area.

 

Start: 10:30am

Brinscall with Chris Cook
6 Miles / 9.7km Undulating.

Meet at Brinscall Baths (Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

From the baths we climb up Well Road then bear left heading for Solomon's Temple. Over Withnall Moor to the stepping stones. Then crossing the A675 carrying on to the fisherman's hut by the reservoir. Taking the track to the Hare and Hounds, through Abbey Village to the disused railway track and back to Brinscall.

HAPPY DAYS.

08/12/2024 Coach - Windermere & Ambleside (Lake District)

 

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk – Ings to Ambleside via Troutbeck with John Parkinson
9.9Miles / 15.3km with 2448ft / 746m Total Ascent

This linear walk starts in the small village of Ings on the A591 to Windermere from where we head towards the hamlet of Grassgarth.
Crossing fields to High House and over Mickle Moss, we skirt Sallows to reach Garburn Nook where we start the descent into Troutbeck passing Limefitt Holiday Park and crossing Trout Beck from which the village takes its name.
Behind the picturesque local church we take the path towards Nanny Lane and the climb to Wansfell Pike. From the Pike we start the long and steep descent into Ambleside and the Christmas attractions that await.

B+ Walk – Orrest Head to Wansfell with Val Walmsley

9 Miles / 15km with 1,150ft / 350.5m Total Ascent

From Windermere short uphill to Orrest Head.
Proceed north to Near Orrest, Far Orrest to Causeway Farm & join Longmire Road to Limefitt Park.
From Troutbeck turn north west up Nanny Lane towards Wansfell. Leave path & head southerly to Hundreds Road which leads to Robin Lane & continue through Skelghyll Wood to reach Ambleside before dark.

B Walk – Ambleside with Barbara & Alan Gillbert

8 Miles / 12.87km with 800ft / 243m Total Ascent

The Loughrigg circular walk taking in the river Rothay, Rydal Water, Loughrigg Terrace with views over Grasmere.

Starting just behind St Mary's Church crossing the arched bridge over the river Rothay.

The walk continues with views of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Continuing up a rough track past a National Trust Car Park.

Some of the paths are quite rocky so care is needed to eventually arrive at Loughrigg  Terrace continuing along the terrace to reach a minor road. Passing some cottages with a view of Loughrigg Tarn towards the Langdale Pikes. The path then climbs uphill and then plateaus before following the main path down hill into Ambleside with enough time for refreshments.

C Walk – Ambling in the Lakes with Joe Brennand

5½ Miles / 8.9km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent

We will get of the coach at Windermere (Toilets at Lakeland/Booths).
From here we will ascend towards Orrest head then take a lower track to go round Orrest head heading to Old Elleray. We now take a track through High Hay wood to Cosses farm, then onto Far Orrest north and to Thickholme Bridge.
From here we go onto Longmire west to Town End across to pick up Skelghyll lane, then to High Skelghyll to find the path through Skelghyll wood that leads to Waterhead then on to tea coffee and cake in Ambleside.

04/12/2024 Stroller Christmas Lunch

 

Arrive 12:15pm for 12:30pm

Christmas Meal Only (No walk this month).
Held at the Rose and Crown, Ulnes Walton.

Meet : at the Rose and Crown, 220 Southport Road, Ulnes Walton, PR26 8LP.

A £10 non refundable deposit is required.
Below is the Rose & Crown menu for the day, please let Barry know your choices by the November Stroller walk (20th November - Mere Sands Wood).

Menu 

To Start

Fire Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup. v £8.50
(with a basil crisp, focaccia & confit garlic butter).

Panko Brie. v £8.95
(red onion marmalade, roquette & blood orange vinaigrette).

Smoked Haddock Chowder. £9.50
(chicken velouté, poached hen's egg & crusty cob).

Confit Lamb Pancakes. £9.00
(pickled vegetables, honey & soy dressing and sesame seeds).

Crispy Chicken Salad. £8.95
(chicken thighs with sweet & sour dressing, vermicelli, vegetables & sticky peanuts).

Chestnut & Sage Arancini. v £8.50
(cranberry compote & endive salad).

Main

Roast Lancashire Turkey £18.95
(pigs in blankets, cranberry & chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes, pan gravy & seasonal vegetables).

Confit Lamb Risotto. £19.50
(roasted vegetables & pancetta, chicken stock, fresh herbs).

Brisket Beef Bourguignon. £18.95
(brisket of beef, pancetta lardons, chestnut mushrooms, braised in a rich red wine & rosemary stock, topped with beef suet dumplings & caramelised silverskin onions).

Pan-Roasted Hake. £22.95
(Lancashire cheese & chive potato cake, creamed leeks, garlic & dill sauce, savoy cabbage).

South Indian Style Curry. v £16.95
(tomato based curry with Bombay potatoes, basmati rice & Naan bread).

Local Pork Chop. £18.95
(Bury black pudding & Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire cheese, creamed potatoes, barley & cabbage risotto, pork jus).

Dessert

Christmas Pudding. £8.95
(simply served with brandy sauce).

Clementine Posset. £8.95
(with citrus shortbread, crushed lemon & almond brittle).

All dishes are complete.
Vegan options & Gluten free alternatives are available on request.

Note - not all ingredients are listed on the menu. If you have any allergies or queries,
then please speak to a member of staff before your order is taken.