14/08/2025 Thursday Car - Dunsop Bridge

 

August

Start: 10:30am

The Centre of the UK with Stuart Arnold
9 Miles / 15km with 900ft / 274m Total Ascent

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable (Sat Nav: BB7 3BB), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable.

We follow the river hodder down to Burholme Bridge which we cross and go up the road 1/4ml and go into New Laund farm and then up and over the hill and down to Fair Oak Farm. We then pass the telephone box reported to be at the centre of the UK.
We then pass through Dinkling Green Farm through Higher Fence Wood and Whitemore around the edge of Mellor  Knoll down to Harden Farm and back to the start.
In view of the distance from Preston Stuart will be offering lifts to anyone who would like to join him for this excellent walk in some of our most beautiful countryside.

03/08/2025 Sunday Car - Longton

 

August

Start: 10:30am

Hutton/Longton circular with Chris Furlong
7 Miles / 11.2 km Flat Walking

Meet at Hutton Village Hall car park, Moor Lane, Hutton (Sat Nav: PR4 5FE), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

With lunch this walk should take us approximately 4 hours. reasonable footpaths and modern gates. As much of the walk is by the river and brooks, there may be some muddy paths in places. From the car park we walk along Liverpool road and cross to a public footpath, marked to the Ribble.
After passing through two gates we walk until we reach and cross Ratten lane, after crossing Ratten lane we go down a secluded footpath and after going through stiles and gates reach the River Ribble, where we shall sit on the bank and have lunch. If we are lucky the tide might be in and we can watch the boats go by.
We will then walk along the river until we reach a disused water treatment unit and follow a raised path until we reach a series of gates, we follow the Ribble Way signs and cross over a stream via a small bridge. After going through several gates, we will find ourselves in a large field, we go over a stile at the end of the field which brings us to Grange Lane, we cross a small field to Back Lane, we proceed along Back Lane then find a secluded somewhat overgrown footpath and cross a stile and two bridges walking along Longton Brook. We then reach Liverpool Road and back to the car park.

Peter Stevens 1949-2025

As some of you may already know Peter Stevens passed away on the morning of the 28th of July peacefully at St. Catherine's Hospice. Peter was 76 years old. 

Peter joined the walking club in 1967 at the tender age of 18. He joined the committee a few years later and has been active in several roles ever since. As well as being a prolific walk leader of all grades, life member Peter started the Footprints newsletter in 1990 and was the creator and webmaster for the PDWC website since 2007. For nine years he co-hosted with Stephen Watson the annual 'Grand Night Out' event for the club, utilising his computer skills to create the popular slide show and all the related graphics for the event. 

He was the beloved husband of Lesley, much loved dad to Matthew, James and Caroline, cherished granddad to Katelyn, James and Adam, brother in law to Paul. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Funeral Service and Committal at Charnock Richard Crematorium on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at 2.30pm. Family flowers only.

Donations if desired to 'St Catherine's Hospice and Rosemere Cancer Foundation' c/o the family.

https://peter-stevens-1949-2025.muchloved.com/

20/07/2025 Coach - Kirkby Stephen via Garsdale

 

July

Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return

A Walk – Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen via Wild Boar Fell with John Parkinson

12¼ Miles / 19.7km with 2274ft / 693m Total Ascent

Leaving Garsdale Head and its small halt on the Settle to Carlisle Railway we strike north across fields and tracks heading for Grizedale Common. From here we start the long ascent to Swarth Fell Pike before a short descent and ascent to Wild Boar Fell from where we have great views across the remote fells that constitute the region.

Next we head for The Nab and Little Fell descending past Lammerside Castle and Wharton Hall into Kirkby Stephen.

B+ Walk – Mallerstang Edge with Dave Colbert
10.5 miles / 17 km with 1475 ft / 450 m Total Ascent

Two steep-sided, craggy ridges flank the upper Eden Valley: Wild Boar Fell to the west and the dramatic gritstone escarpment of Mallerstang Edge to the east. Today’s ‘B+’ walk will traverse the latter, so if you want to meet the Wild Boars, the ‘A’ walk is the one for you.

Starting from Shaw Paddock a couple of miles beyond the Moorcock Inn at Garsdale Head, we follow a rough track to Hell Gill Bridge, crossing the infant River Ure twice on the way. Hell Gill Beck is a tributary of the River Eden, so we also cross the main watershed of Great Britain. Leaving Hell Gill, we begin the long but gradual climb along High Rigg to Hangingstone Scar and the insignificant grassy mound known as Archy Styrigg or Gregory Chapel. Just who these two characters were has been the subject of much speculation, Dr Bente Kanin-Vakmester of the Wyre Piddle gymnasium concluding they were contemporaries of Bog Myrtle, the infamous 11th century Yorkshire herbalist from Heckmondwike, who argued so long over the origins of cotton grass they eventually turned to stone. Unfortunately, the truth is now most likely lost in the mists of time.

Heading north, we soon reach High Seat (709m/2,327ft), the highest point on the walk with splendid views over much of Cumbria on a clear day. It’s then along Mallerstang Edge to High Pike Hill, another insignificant mound and from where our trackless descent into the Eden Valley begins. Passing Foul Gutter we come to Stank Hill (who came up with these names?) and then Great Bell and the Hunger Hills. From Nateby, the Pennine Bridleway national trail takes us to Kirkby Stephen and sanity, finally crossing the River Eden at Frank’s Bridge..

Pendragon Castle with Stuart Arnold
9½ Miles / 15.3km with 800ft / 244m Total Ascent

Heading south along the river Eden we pass Wharton Hall (16th century) Lammerside Castle (14th century).  Here we go up and pass under the Carlisle-Settle railway. This is the highest and most expensive line in the UK.

Under Breeching it was supposed to be closed but was saved by the then transport minister Michael Portillo.

We then head down Tommy road to reach Pendragon castle.

Now we cross the river and head to the village of Southwaite. Here we follow a path which takes us past Carr House and on to Scotch well and up the fell to Ridding House and then down Thringill Beck into Nateby and eventually Kirby Stephen (Possibly via Stenkrith park).

C Walk – Kirkby Stephen with Christine Davies
5 Miles / 8 km with 400ft / 122m Total Ascent

Kirkby Stephen is s Market town, it got it’s name Market town after King Edward lll granted the first market charter in1353 and had two Annual fairs, bustling with buyers and sellers.

The walk starts at Frank’s Bridge, we cross the river and head for Nateby. We cross the A6259 and make our way to Warton Hall, returning via Half-Penny House and Croglam, then onto Greenriggs before heading back to Kirkby Stephen for refreshments, Hope you enjoy the walk.

16/07/2025 Stroller - Brinscall

 

July

Start: 10:30am

Brinscall with Roy Smith
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

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 (Sat Nav: ).

No details available.

10/07/2025 Thursday Car - Chipping

 

July

Start: 10:30am

Chipping with Meriel Nutter
7-8 miles / 12 km with 300 ft / 100 m Total Ascent

Meet at Chipping Car Park (Sat Nav: PR3 2QH), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

From Chipping car park, road then path northerly to Birchen Lee and Park Gate, track to Park Style and Lickhurst Farm. Road east to crossroad by telephone box and turn right then right on track past Higher and Lower Greystoneley past Knot Barn to Leagram Mill. Road westerly to Throstle Nest then track South to Dairy Barn onto Green Lane into Chipping. From Leagram Mill could extend to Hodder Hole Wood and Townley Moss Wood to Dairy Barn.

07/07/2025 Committee Meeting

 

July

Start: 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.

06/07/2025 Sunday Car - Brock and Beacon

 

July

Start: 10:30am

Brock and Beacon with Stuart Arnold

7 Miles / 11km with 200ft / 61m Total Ascent

We will start our walk at Bleasdale Church St Eadmer's. (Sat Nav: PR3 1UY ), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

Initially we will head across fields to the Glamorous Camping ground then across more fields to Weaver's Farm and then via New Bridge Wood and Bob's Wood to the river Brock which we follow to Waddacar Scout Camp then up to Wood Top and then back to the river via Holling Shears Farm. At Brock Mill we leave the river again and pass through Lower Lickhurst, Higher Lickhurst, North Nook, Heatherways and Broad Head Farms on our way to Wood Acre. Here we walk on the road for 1/4ml and then cross fields to Higher Brock Mill and back to the start.

27/06/2025 Annual Club Meal

 

June

Start: 6:30pm for 7:00pm Start

Annual Club Meal (Friday Night).

Held at the Cross Keys Inn, Church Lane, Whitechapel (PR3 2EP).

Please arrive at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm prompt start.

Cost per person £26 and please make your cheque payable to 'Preston and District Walking Club'.

We are collecting the payments prior to the event (it can be cash of course), along with meal choices to Stuart Arnold.

Starters

- Homemade soup of the day, a warm bread roll & butter. (GFOA)

- Creamy garlic mushrooms, toasted ciabatta. (V)

- Assorted melon & Fruits with lemon sorbet(VG, GFOA)

- Prawn cocktail, seafood sauce, bread & Butter (GFOA)

Mains

- Roast Beef served with roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, roast gravy. (GFOA)

- Poached Salmon, new potatoes, fine beans, seafood sauce. (GFOA)

- Mrs Kirkham's Smocked cheese, Leek & Onion tart, Chunky chip, Garden salad. (V)

- Pan Fried chicken, fondant potato, green bens, Blacksticks blue & bacon sauce. (GFOA).

Desserts

- Fruit Meringue, whipped cream, berries (V, GFOA)

- Strawberry cheesecake (V)

- Sherry trifle (V, GFOA)

- Sticky Toffee Pudding, vanilla ice cream (V)

Tea or Filter Coffee, chocolate mint.

22/06/2025 Coach - Coniston via Newby Bridge

 

June

Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return

A Walk – Through Torver to Coniston via the Old Man with John Parkinson
10.6 Miles / 17km with 3,271ft / 997m Total Ascent

We start the walk from Brown Howe on the A5084 with a leisurely crossing of Torver Low Common towards Torver.  Crossing the A593 we head for Torver High Common and up to the Walna Scar Road ascending to Brown Pike.  Following the ridge to Buck Pike we have fine views of the tarns below as we head through Goats Hawse and climb to Brim Fell.

From there it is a short and slight ascent of 7 meters to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston.  Descending sharply through the old quarries and mine works we head for Crawberry Haws and past Miners Bridge and into Coniston.

The walk encompasses 3 wainwrights.

Lowick Bridge to Coniston via The Blawith Fells with Meriel Nutter
10 Miles / 16km with 700ft / 213m Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Lowick Bridge on A5084, about 8 miles after Newby Bridge. field paths west passing Evard Lodge and minor road to Kendall Ground. Join the Cumbria Way North staying on it all the way to Coniston passing Kiln Bank, Tottlebank, Beacon Tarn and after crossing a ford over Mere Beck descending to the bank of Coniston Water. I probably won't be able to recce the first part of this walk but hopefully it will avoid the awkward stream crossings on the route into the Blawith Fells from Torver.

Circular from Coniston via Tarn Hows with Lynne Rowett
8½ Miles / 13.5km with 1,000ft / 305m Total Ascent

Leaving the car park at the John Ruskin School we go along the Lake Road to the shores of Coniston. After paying a visit to the free toilets we carry on along Donald Campbell Way to join the multi user track that takes us to Monk Coniston. From here through the grounds of Monk Coniston Hall to join the path through the woods on Hill Fell bringing us to our highest point on the walk and a super view of Tarn Hows.
Heading towards Rose Castle we drop down to the path around the Tarn after passing the car park and toilets we head down hill via Tarn Hows Cottage and on to a lovely winding path to Boon Crag Farm. From here we follow tracks to Low Yewdale and Far End for our return to Coniston. Good paths and tracks all the way with lovely views of Tarn Hows and Coniston lake.

Tarn Hows with Barbara Gilbert and Jan Atkins
6 Miles / 9.7km with 400ft / 122m Total Ascent

Starting from Coniston Coach park (toilets) we leave by the lanes to reach Shepherds Bridge  to join the Cumbria Way field paths. A short climb up to Back Guards Plantation before dropping to pass cottages at Low Yeadale and continue through fields to the A593. A short walk along this road brings us to Yewtree Farm known for the Beatrix Potter stories. From here we make our way to Land Head Coppice where, after a short climb through woodlands, we come to the tarn. We then follow the path around the tarn to Howgraves where we descend through Hill Fell Plantation. Shortly after this we reach the shores of Coniston Water which we then follow back o to the village for refreshments.