21/08/2022 Coach Walk - Bakewell

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Monsal Trail, Cressbrook Dale & Longstone Moor with Dave Colbert

13½ miles (22km) with 1800ft (550m) Total Ascent

A meandering hike across the White Peak including a couple of sections of the Monsal Trail, unfrequented dales and a moorland high point.

We start from Lees Bottom mid-way between Taddington and Ashford in the Water and climb up above Monsal Dale before descending to the viaduct at Monsal Head. Here we join the Monsal Trail and head north-westward along the track bed of the former Midland Railway line through Cressbrook Tunnel (471yds) and Litton Tunnel (516yds) before dropping down into Millers Dale at Litton Mill.

A gradual climb through Tideswell Dale takes us close to the small settlement of Litton and a short descent through Tansley Dale into Cressbrook Dale. Almost immediately we climb out to the village of Wardlow and then around to Longstone Moor, at 395m/1,296ft one of the highest points hereabouts. It´s then south by way of Little Longstone to re-join the Monsal Trail east of Monsal Head; this will take us all the way to Bakewell with no further climbing! 

B+ Walk - Stanton Moor with Sue Banister

11 miles (17.5km) with 1083ft (330m) Total Ascent

Todays walk is a little longer than the B+ guidelines but isn´t too strenuous in the way of climbing.

The start of the walk takes us across the A6, up past the cemetery and south to Conksbury Bridge. We then follow the River Lathkill to the beautiful little village of Alport. From here we cross fields and drop down to the B5056 which we unfortunately have to walk along for half a mile.

We then begin a climb up to Birchover and onwards to the top of Stanton Moor (1060ft, 323m) with hopefully some good views of the Derbyshire countryside. We pass the Cork Stone, which can be climbed if anyone fancies it! and will have a look at the Nine Ladies Bronze Age Stone Circle.

From here we head down to the village of Stanton in Peak then north to Haddon Hall. After a short stretch along the A6 we follow paths along the River Wye back to Bakewell.

B Walk - Derwent Heritage Trail with Chris Cook

9 miles (15km) with 900ft (274m) Total Ascent

We leave Bakewell to begin a short, steep climb up Castle Hill, crossing the golf course, passing Black cross Farm and on to Edensor Forest. Leaving the forest we have beautiful views of golden wheat fields and anlmals grazing in the luscious green fields. We then reach the superb vlllage of Edensor (I will tell the tale of Edensor on the day), from there we have magnificent views of Chatsworth House and grounds.

It is from here we pick up the Derwent Heritage Trail where we walk by the river to Carlton Lees, through fields and paths to Rowsley Still. On good paths we head west towards Bouns Corner, Bowling Green Farm and Haddon Hall Park, eventually following the river Wye and back to the coach.

HAPPY DAYS.

C Walk - Bakewell Circular with Sylvia Rymer & Barbara Malloy

6½ miles (10.5km) with 266ft (81m) Total Ascent

We make our way out of Bakewell passing the Parish church. Turning off by St Anselm´s School we walk down through Endcliff wood to meet the A6. We cross over the A6 to join a path following the River Wye towards Ashford in the Water. There will be time to look around this very attractive village and stop for lunch (Toilets available in the village).

We go a short distance up the B6465, with care as there is no pavement, before joining a path up to the Monsal Trail. We walk easterly along the trail towards Hassop Station. Just before the station, we turn off the trail and make our way south down towards Bakewell on an undulating path. A short walk by the river brings us back to the car park.

17/08/2022 Stroller - Clitheroe

Clitheroe 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.

Due to limited opportunities for toilet facilities, it may be an idea for people to use the Clitheroe Open Market facilities (park in Booths car park), before driving on to the start of the walk, opposite the cemetery, on Waddington Road (BB7 2JD), then afterwards at Maxwells Café Bar opposite the station.

Walk distance: 3 miles with around 150 feet of ascent.

From our start point we make our way through the southern part of the Sculpture Trail before crossing the road bridge over the River Ribble. We now make our way through the Waddow Hall estate, until we reach a minor road leading to Waddington. We make our way along this road to Waddington itself. We then walk through the village of Waddington, over the Waddington Brook, and through fields until we reach the school on the West Bradford road. From the school we walk south through fields until we reach Waddington Road, where we have a short road walk back to our start point.

11/08/2022 Thursday Car - Goosnargh

B Walk - Goosnargh with Tony Ingham

7 miles (11km) with very little climbing

Meet at Goosnargh Village Hall, Church Lane (Sat Nav: PR3 2BH), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

Please park on the car park at the back of the Hall, not the one at the front, as there is a function on in the afternoon.

Most of the walk will be on bridleways, quiet minor roads and public footpaths over farmland to the north of Goosnargh. Part of it will cross the disused Goosnargh Golf Course and pass Goosnargh Mill, Goosnargh Lodge and Middleton Hall. Only towards the end of the walk will we venture to the south of the village and there we will pass Chingle Hall and Whittingham Hall.

07/08/2022 Sunday Car - Beacon Fell

B Walk - Beacon Fell & Bleasdale with Stuart & Judith

7½ miles (12km) with 500ft (152m) Total Ascent

Meet at car park on top of Beacon Fell (Sat Nav: PR3 2NL), ready for the usual start time of 10.30am.

We will start from the car park on the top of the fell.

We will walk up to the top and hope for a clear day, where there are lovely views of the beautiful Bowland countryside and the Fylde coast.

We will walk down to Wood Acre and across to Lower Core and up to Blindhurst. We then cross to Higher Fairsnape and approaching Holme House we turn right to pass Admarsh Barn Farm, Vicarage Farm and down past Bleasdale school to Higher Brock Mill. From here we walk through Hatherways and back up onto Beacon Fell and our return to the car park.

24/07/2022 Coach - Caldbeck

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Back o´ Skidda with John Parkinson

12.34 miles (19.86km) with 2363ft (720m) Total Ascent

Today´s gentle route takes us on a round of the green and undulating Northern Fells.

Taking the Cumbria Way out of the tourist metropole that is Caldbeck, we head onto Caldbeck Common where mineral mining started in the 13th century. From the top of High Pike we wind down past the Lingy Hut bothy before squelching up Knott and over Great Sca Fell onto the final peak of Brae Fell. From there the decent takes us past that favourite of adolescent boys, Willy Knott and over Dale Beck before beginning the long walk-in to Caldeck where a refreshing cup of tea, cooling ice cream or foaming beer awaits. 

B+ Walk - High Pike with Sue Banister

9½ miles (15km) with 1903ft (580m) Total Ascent

We will leave the coach at Caldbeck and head south through fields to Townhead, Crook Bank and Potts Gill, then start the long steady climb to the summit of High Pike at 2159ft (658m).

We will hopefully have good views of the Solway Firth and Scottish Border hills to the north and to the south the Lakeland hills of Skiddaw and Blencathra.

Our descent takes us past the disused mine at Birket then down to Wood Hall and Hesket Newmarket.

From here we drop down to a footbridge over Cald Beck and follow the Cumbria Way back to Caldbeck village.

B Walk - Caldbeck & The Cumbria Way with Dorothy Dobson

8 miles (12.9km) with 1100ft (335m) Total Ascent

Caldbeck is a picturesque village and the churchyard is the burial place of the famous John Peel.

From the church we join the Cumbria Way, and after a short climb, descend to a woodland path for a while before reaching the village of Hesket Newmarket. Passing through fields, which include two natural meadows, full of wild flowers, (a sight to behold!) we reach Wood Hall. Here we change direction and climbing open hillside, we traverse westwards to rejoin the Cumbria Way, through Nether Row to Caldbeck.

C Walk - Caldbeck circular with Bill Manning

5½ miles (8.8km) with 328ft (100m) Total Ascent

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 before joining a short walk the road. We now reach further field paths taking us to Moorhouse and Little Fellside to reach the Cumbrian Way, leading to Potts Hill, Crook Bank, Nether Row, we carry on through fields and tracks to Street head, Town Head back to Caldbeck for the cafe and shops, John Peels grave and the Priests Mill.

20/07/2022 - Stroller - Haslam Park

Haslam Park with Barbara

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 Bristow Avenue, Ashton, Preston. (Sat Nav: PR2 1JE), then afterwards to be advised.

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.