04/01/2026 Coach Walk - Kendal & Staveley

January

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk - Reston Scar, Brunt Knott, Long Sleddale and Potter Tarn starting from Staveley with Katie Clenshaw

11.8 miles / 19 km with 2600 ft / 800 m Total Ascent

Many times on the train on the way to The Lakes I have looked up at Reston Scar (255m), which dominates Staveley, and thought that I should explore these lumpy, bumpy hills some time, so to start our walk (or possibly end it depending on the weather) we are going up here to join the energetic runners and dog walkers of Staveley. Next, we head to what may or may not be Hugill Fell (273m), then down to Scroggs Bridge.

We continue via Low Elfhowe, Ghyll Bank and Brunt Knott Farm to the steep climb up Brunt Knott (427m). On a clear day the views from here are extensive towards The Lake District, Morecambe Bay and The Pennines.

From Brunt Knott we continue eastwards to Bridge End in Long Sleddale, a less visited but still lovely, Lakeland valley. The path is quite boggy in places, but is often grassy and a pleasure to walk along. We follow the bridleway along the valley to Garnett Bridge before our last climb of the day up to Gurnal Dubbs then on to Potter Tarn. Looking up at the hills around here, there is plenty more exploring I could do.

From Potter Tarn there are several options for returning to Staveley. I went via Side House, Spring Hag and Staveley Park. Another option, which may be better if it is very wet, is past Birk Field, Littlewood Farm and Barley Bridge.

B+ Walk - Sallows with Stan Park
11 miles / 17.7 km with 1500 ft / 460 m Total Ascent

The charming River Kent leads us out of Staveley beside the road signposted to Kentmere. We branch off on the track towards Browfoot, climbing steadily in the direction of Sour Howes and Sallows mountains, which rise between the valleys of Kentmere and Troutbeck. Before reaching Sour Howes, we turn towards the hamlet of High Borrans and then head up to the Dubbs Road. The route takes us to the top of the Garburn Pass and then up Sallows. From this Wainwright summit, we drop down to the Kentmere Valley head, where we find the ancient manor house and historic St Cuthbert’s Church. The return to Staveley loops through the scenic Green Quarter.

B Walk - Staveley Tarns circular walk with Christine Davies and Barbara Gilbert

7.7 miles / 12.4 km with 950 ft / 288 m Total Ascent

We leave Staveley village centre before crossing Barley Bridge passing the weir. Continuing up a grassy hillside towards Littlewood Farm and after passing through the next farm we head up to Potter Tarn (with views of the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells from there we continue uphill to Gurnal Dubs another tarn before returning to the stone stile and then downhill to Ghyll Pool. The path then descends steeply to a farm at Hundhowe and finally crossing a wooden bridge at Hagg Foot we follow the Dales Way back to Staveley for refreshments.

There are outstanding views throughout the walk.

C Walk - Dales Way with Dorothy and Chris
6.5 miles / 10.5 km with 400 ft / 120 m Total Ascent

From Staveley we head south east along the Dales Way, but leave it after half a mile to take a footpath across the fields to Winter Lane. This eventually takes us to the village of Bowston,  where we cross over the River Kent to join a lane to Braban House.

From here we take a lovely bridle path and a further one to Hagg Foot, where we pick up the Dales Way again. This path follows the River Kent  back to Staveley. Happy Days.

11/12/2025 Thursday Car - Brinscall

 

December

Start: 10:30am

Brinscall with Dorothy and Chris
6 Miles / 9.5 km undulating

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

Apart from the last mile, which is undulating, the walk is fairly flat and with good paths.

After going under the disused railway bridge we pass Brinscall Hall, now a Meditation Centre, to walk through fields and Lodge Bank (Brinscall baths ) to reach White Coppice. We continue on another wide path to reach the Anglezarke road, where we do a U turn to return to White Coppice. From here we walk along the Goyt, to enter a wood, which is the undulating stretch to reach Well Road, where it is downhill all the way to Lodge Bank.

07/12/2025 Coach - Ambleside & Hawkshead

 

December

8:00am start with 16:30 (4:30pm) return

A Walk – Ings to Ambleside via Sour Howes with John Parkinson
10.1 miles / 16.25 km with 2221 ft / 680 m Total Ascent

Leaving Ings we head up to Dubbs Road passing Dubbs reservoir (replete with rainbow and brown trout and a natural habitat for crayfish and even adders) before taking a steep climb to the bobbly summits of Sour Howes.  Alfred Wainwright stated “There is little about Sour Howes to attract walkers and nothing to justify a detour”.  A little harsh maybe so best to appreciate the fine views which Wainwright claimed ‘arrest the attention’ before moving on sharpish.  We traverse the ridge and head up to the summit of Sallows before turning back and descending via the Garburn Road to Limefitt. Passing through Troutbeck we take Robin Lane towards Skelgyll Wood before dropping down into Ambleside to meet the coach.

B+ Walk – Ambleside to Hawkshead with Meriel Nutter
10 miles / 16 km with 1100 ft / 335 m Total Ascent

This walk was a bit further and had more ascent than I thought. It is 1 main climb of about 450 ft the rest is undulations. Mainly on good paths and tracks though there are some potentially boggy bits as always. There are glorious views if the weather is good, we had them on the recce. Option to shorten by missing out Tarn Hows if needed.

Leave coach at Waterhead Ambleside. Cross A5075, take path north through park and past fort, rejoin road and cross Rothay Bridge. Minor road north past Rothay Park, track west passing Miller Brow and climbing as contour round Loughrigg Fell. Descend to Tarn Foot. Road down to Skelwith Bridge Hotel. Track/path to cross footbridge near Skelwith Force. Join Cumbria Way past Park Farm crossing road near Colwith taking bridleway south and path by road to High Cross. Cross road and continue to southern end of Tarn Hows. East on road to path south through Hill Fell Wood. Rejoin road near Tenter Hill, through Hawkshead Hill then path south east into Hawkshead.

B Walk – Latterbarrow and Wray Castle with Stuart Arnold
8 miles / 13 km with 900 ft / 275 m Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Hawkshead, we first head eastwards across fields to Colthouse and then start a gentle climb over a bridle way to Claife Heights. Heading north we reach the summit of Latterbarrow, a possible lunch stop. This hill on the side of Windermere affords wonderful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. We leave Latterbarrow and head north east to the lake shore via the village of High Wray. Heading north wards along the lake shore we reach Wray Castle and then head back to Hawkshead via Blelham Tarn and Out gate.
There should be time to explore Hawkshead and have a look round the shops and possibly enjoy some liquid refreshment.

C Walk – Rydal Water with Chris and Dorothy

6.5 miles / 10.5 km with 300 ft / 100 m Total Ascent

We start the walk from Ambleside and pass through Rothay Park  to reach the footbridge over the River Rothay.  Heading north west we join a minor  road which runs alongside the river  all the way to  Pelters  Bridge. From here its a short climb to Rydal Water, where we may have lunch and enjoy the lovely views all around us.

We then retrace our steps to Pelters Bridge,  where we cross the A591, and another short climb to Rydal Hall.  From here we continue down through the Hall grounds to Scandale Bridge to rejoin the road back to Ambleside.

03/12/2025 Stroller - Christmas Meal

 

Arrive 12:15pm for 12:30pm

Christmas meal only (no walk today). Held at The Mill at St Catherine's.

Meet at The Mill at St Catherine's, Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, Preston PR5 5XU.

A £10 non refundable deposit is required. See menu options below.

Please let Barry have your deposit and menu choices by the November Stroller walk (Wednesday 19th November at Cuerden Valley).

The Mill Christmas Menu- £37.50 per person

To Start

Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup (V)

Baked Brie, Cumberland Sauce, Crispy Onion Croutons (V)

Port & Walnut Terrine, Beetroot & Ginger Chutney

Avocado & Atlantic Prawn Vol-Au-Vent, Lemon & Paprika Sauce

Chargrilled Beef Salad, Rocket, Gorgonzola Dressing

Main

Fylde Roast Turkey & all the Trimmings

Roast Salmon Fillet, Dill Potato Cake, Tender Stem Broccoli, Chive Butter Sauce

Pesto & Roasted Pepper Risotto, Toasted Pine Nuts (V)

Slow Roasted Lamb Henry, Carrot Puree, Mash Potatoes, Honey & Mint Sauce

Roast Hasselback Butternut Squash, Roast Potatoes, Carrot Puree, Brussel Sprouts, Vegetable Gravy (V)

Dessert

Bailey's Cheesecake

Sherry Trifle

Christmas Pudding, Brandy Sauce

Chocolate Orange Tart

Cranberry & Orange Cheesecake (GF/Vegan)

Sticky Toffee Slice

Exchange St Catherine's Blend Coffee or Mill Tea

23/11/2025 Sunday Car - Nicky Nook from Garstang

 

November

Start: 10:30am

Nicky Nook from Garstang with Val Walmsley
7.5 miles / 12 km with 700 ft / 200 m Total Ascent

Meet at High St Car Park, Garstang (Sat Nav: PR3 1WZ), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

From Garstang proceed along Millenium Way following R Wyre to Woodacre Hall.Cross railway & Mway passing Long Mossley Wood to Hr Lane.
Path thro' Grize Dale from where ascend to Nicky Nook.Return via Scorton,Wyre Way,Gubberford & Green Lane back to Garstang.

19/11/2025 Stroller - Cuerden Valley, Bamber Bridge

 

November

Start: 10:30am

Cuerden Valley with Barbara & Jan
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 Asda car park, Clayton Green (Sat Nav: PR6 7JT).

No details available.

13/11/2025 Thursday Car - Nicky Nook

 

November

Start: 10:30am

Nicky Nook with Katie Clenshaw
7.5 Miles / 12 km with 1150 ft / 350 m Total Ascent

Meet near the toilets on Gubberford Lane in Scorton (Sat Nav: PR3 1BL), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We leave Scorton along Tithe Barn Lane to Slean End. Then, instead of walking up Grizedale, we climb steeply up to Woodacre Pasture, then past Burns Farm, Moor House and the masts on Barnacre Moor, eventually reaching the road by Grizedale Lea Reservoir.

After crossing Grizedale Bridge, we head across the fields to Fell End, then south to Grizedale Reservoir before climbing steeply up and over Nicky Nook and back down to Scorton (and maybe a cup of tea).

Note - I didn't find any good lunch spots in the first half of the walk, so you may want a snack before the start.

09/11/2025 Coach - Haworth via Hebden Bridge

 

November

8:00am start with 16:30 (4:30pm) return

A Walk – Return to Dick Delf Hill? Well, not quite with Dave Colbert
11 miles / 18 km with 1935 ft / 590 m Total Ascent

Just who is this Dick Delf that caused such controversy in Footprints past?  Some say Dick Delf is a pseudonym for Bog Myrtle, an 11th century Yorkshire herbalist from Heckmondwike who wrote a seminal paper on the frustrations of searching for moorland flora and fauna in the West Riding under the title ‘Withering Lows’, or that he was a Yorkshire Dutchman, uncle to that bloke Heathcliffe.  All we know is, well nothing, despite the exhaustive research of Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth.

We start from Pecket Well just north of Hebden Bridge and, shock horror, descend to Mill Bridge in Hebden Dale.  It’s then through the woods to Hardcastle Crags and a long climb over Wadsworth Moor to Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir, which we will walk round before joining the Pennine Way to chase the ‘B+’ Party over the moors all the way to Haworth.  Our route is by way of said Dick Delf Hill (well not quite), Top Withins (strictly no Kate Bush impressions), The Height, Brontë Bridge, Haworth Moor and Penistone Hill.

B+ Walk – Out on the Wiley Windy Moors with Sue Banister
9.5 Miles / 15.3 km with 1300 ft / 396 m Total Ascent

We leave the coach after Pecket Well and head north to Lumb Hole Waterfall then join the Calder Aire Link west to Walshaw.

North again takes us up over Wadsworth Moor then down to Walshaw Dean Middle reservoir for a lunch stop.

We then join the Pennine Way over Dick Delph Hill to the ruins at Top Withins and on past Scar Hill. Shortly after Upper Heights we leave the Pennine Way and drop down to the Brontë waterfalls.

It’s then back to Haworth on the Brontë Way via Penistone Country Park.

B Walk – Brontë Waterfalls and Top Withens with Barbara & Alan Gilbert
8 miles / 12.87 km with 900 ft / 274.32 m Total Ascent

We leave coach park in Haworth and make our way towards Brontë waterfalls. From there we climb up to Top Withens (mentioned in the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë) where we will have lunch.

From there we retrace our steps, taking the signpost for Stanbury, walking along the main street before turning right into reservoir road; crossing the causeway and then turning left along the bridleway which leads up to the outward journey along cemetery road on meeting the main road and after a few yards we turn right through a gap in a wall leading across a field path to the rear of Brontë Parsonage and back into Haworth for refreshments.

C Walk – The Brontë Way with Dorothy Dobson and Chris Cook
6 miles / 9.7 km with 500 ft / 150 m Total Ascent

From the coach park we pass the Brontë Museum ( Toilets on car park. 30p ) to join the Brontë Way. There are good paths most of the way, but care should be taken when descending the steps to the waterfall. Here we hope to have lunch, before leaving the valley. We make our way across the fields and down to the village of Stanbury, then walk by Lower Laithe Reservoir and the last stretch uphill to Haworth. There may be time for refreshments before the coach leaves at 4.30pm.

03/11/2025 Committee Meeting

 

November

Start: 7:00pm until 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.

26/10/2025 Sunday Car - Beacon Fell Circular

 

October

Start: 10:30am

Beacon Fell Circular with Stuart Arnold
6 miles / 9.5 km with 400 ft / 120 m Total Ascent

Meet at Carwags Picnic Area, Carwags Lane, Chipping (Sat Nav: PR3 2ES), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We will attempt to do two complete circuits of Beacon Fell. One around the base through all the farms and one up on the fellside.

We start by crossing the fields to Rigg Farm then down to Broad head and along the track to Sagars and Heatherways. We cross to North Nook and then ascend onto the Fell track to do our fell circuit. We then drop down to Crombleholme and Woodford on our way back to the start.