Lancashire Singles Walking Group

An excellent circular traverse over both sides of Lancashire's finest, Pendle Hill, starting and ending in picturesque Downham, and getting all the hard work out of the way in the first couple of hours. Pendle, when clear, offers great views across the Ribble Valley to the Forest of Bowland, and the Yorkshire Dales; and in the opposite direction over the cotton mill towns.

More info:

This is Pendle Hill the hard way. After a 45 minute valley approach walk from Downham you'll tackle Pendles hardest possible ascent - we'll not rush it but even so by late morning you'll have completed almost all of the days climbing. While steep in places, there is NOT any scrambling, (feet and hands), you'll stay upright! At a little over 1,800 ft Pendle isn't the tallest, but the route means you will feel a sense of achievement well before lunchtime, and after that it's child's play for the rest of the day. Aside from a couple of private lanes there is virtually no road walking. The walk is 12 miles maximum.

Pendle Hill in old money is 'Pen Dhul Hill' which translates in modern parlance as 'Hill Hill Hill', and we'll complete the walk in three halves:

1. Approach and ascent: Many folks cheat and drive half way up to start somewhere near the ski slope. Others claim the path from Barley is the hardest way up but don't let yourself believe it, the Barley route is for tourists :o) Our climb is hard but broken into bite size chunks with rest stops and great views over Clitheroe and beyond.
2. The plateau and descent: You'll soon arrive at the Scout monument by which time the hard work for the day is over. We'll then stroll along the plateau to the summit before taking the easy way down below Big End, bypassing Barley to reach the Black Moss reservoirs and, time permitting, the nearby Sculpture Trail at Aitken Wood
3. A country walk: From there on we're circling back to Downham over the remote Twiston Moor, along broad tracks, through pasture and in woodland. Pendle will always loom above us to the north, west and south as we make our way around Hill End.

Meet-up point:

Meet me in the public car park at Main Street, Downham, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 4BN. OS Grid reference SD 784 441. What3Words: strapped.blackbird.salsa

PLEASE ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME TO CHECK-IN WITH ME, AND SO WE CAN BE READY TO MOVE OUT AT 0930 HRS.

Beware, there is virtually no phone signal or mobile internet.

Parking:

To find the car park and meet-up point drive into Downham and head down the hill through the village, turning right over the brook and right again after the cafe/shop. If the car park is full there is plenty of street parking but please be respectful of residents.

Parking is free with 30+ spaces. There are no vehicle height restrictions.
There are no EV points.

Facilities:

Toilets are right next to the car park and meeting point. There is an (always open) information room at the end of the car park for anyone wanting to know more about the area.

Don't depend on the cafe/shop near the brook as it will be closed at our start time, meaning the nearest supplies are to be found in Chatburn.

New members (2 and 4 legs):

If you're a first timer please don't be anxious! Members are friendly, social and there's a roughly equal split of ladies and gentlemen. To find the group, look for a black pick-up truck at the meet-up point discussed above. I'll be wearing a yellow-ish fleece to stand out! If it's pouring down I'll put on a yellow jacket.
We love good dogs, if you're one then please bring your owner if he/ she is well behaved and on a lead.

Good to know:

Please remember food for the trail, plenty of water, sun protection (and/ or waterproofs). Dog walkers please note that we will come across sheep, cattle and ground nesting birds.
Maximum altitude for the walk is about 1,820 ft, we start at 100. The walk involves a steep ascent, plateau, steady descent and undulating countryside. There is virtually no road walking. There are some metal roads but these are mostly private and very quiet.

The Grade II listed Assheton Arms might be a good place to end the day after the walk, or if its still open the shop/cafe near to the car park has an excellent reputation for hot drinks, cake and especially its ice cream!

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday 25th July,
Andrew

Join us for a lovely coastal and countryside walk through the beautiful Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, one of England’s most scenic and underrated areas.

We’ll start in the charming village of Arnside before making our way up to the summit of Arnside Knott. At just over 500 feet high it may not be the tallest hill, but don’t let that fool you – the views are outstanding. From the top we’ll hopefully enjoy sweeping panoramas across the Kent Estuary, Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and, if we’re lucky with the weather, even as far as the Yorkshire Dales.

After taking in the views we’ll descend through peaceful woodland, passing Arnside Tower, a 15th-century fortified tower house built to protect its occupants from the Border Reivers, who regularly raided this part of the country hundreds of years ago.

We’ll then head out to the picturesque Jenny Brown’s Point, a beautiful spot looking out across Morecambe Bay. The point takes its name from a local legend, although no one knows for certain who Jenny Brown really was. It’s a great place to stop for a drink and a bite to eat while enjoying the ever-changing views across the bay.

From there we’ll follow the stunning coastline to the pretty village of Silverdale, where we’ll call in at the Silverdale Hotel for a well-earned drink before beginning our return journey along the coast back to Arnside.

The Arnside & Silverdale area is famous for its limestone pavements, ancient woodland, abundant wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery. It’s one of those places where every corner seems to reveal another fantastic view, making it a real hidden gem.

Distance: Approximately 11 miles

Difficulty: Moderate – good paths throughout with one steady climb up Arnside Knott.

Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions, along with food and plenty of water.

Dogs are welcome. There might be some sheep on the way, so if you are letting your dog off the lead make sure you have got good recall.

Meet in the Car Park, on Station Road opposite Arnside Chip shop, LA5 0HF

Please only RSVP if you definitely intend to come.

Join us for a superb linear walk from Burnley to Hebden Bridge, taking in rolling countryside, historic estates, peaceful reservoirs, dramatic moorland and one of the North’s most beautiful wooded valleys.

Our walk begins at Burnley Manchester Road Station, from where we’ll climb to Healey Heights for excellent views over Burnley and the surrounding Pennines. We then make our way into the beautiful Towneley Park, home to the magnificent Towneley Hall. Dating back over 600 years, Towneley Hall was the ancestral home of the Towneley family, one of Lancashire’s most influential Catholic families. Today, the Grade I listed hall is a museum surrounded by parkland that has been enjoyed by generations of Burnley residents.

Leaving Towneley Park behind, we’ll head towards the picturesque village of Hurstwood. Once part of the medieval Forest of Pendle, Hurstwood has changed remarkably little over the centuries, with its stone cottages and narrow lanes providing a glimpse into Lancashire’s rural past. We’ll pass Hurstwood Reservoir, one of several reservoirs built in the 19th century to supply Burnley’s booming textile industry with clean water.

Our route then continues across the moors to Gorple Lower Reservoir. The Gorple reservoirs were constructed in the 1800s by Burnley Corporation Waterworks and sit in wonderfully wild Pennine scenery, where curlews, lapwings and birds of prey are often spotted soaring overhead.

From here we’ll head to Blake Dean, where the dramatic valley marks the historic county boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire, before descending into the enchanting woodland of Hardcastle Crags. This beautiful National Trust estate is famous for its tumbling streams, ancient woodland and old mill history. We’ll stop here for a well-earned break at Gibson Mill, an iconic 19th-century cotton mill built in 1800. Powered entirely by water from Hebden Water, the mill is now one of the UK’s best-known examples of sustainable heritage, operating as an off-grid visitor centre.

After our break, we’ll continue through the hamlet of Midgehole before following the valley into the colourful market town of Hebden Bridge. Once an important centre for textile manufacturing, Hebden Bridge has reinvented itself as one of Yorkshire’s most creative towns, known for its independent shops, cafés, arts scene and welcoming atmosphere.

We’ll finish the day with a well-earned drink in one of Hebden Bridge’s pubs before catching the train back to Burnley Manchester Road Station.

Walk Information

• A full-day linear walk.
• A mixture of woodland paths, moorland tracks, reservoir trails and country lanes.
• There are several steady climbs and descents, so a good level of fitness is recommended.
• Please bring suitable walking boots, waterproof clothing, plenty of food and water, and money or a bank card for refreshments and the return train journey.
• Dogs are welcome. There might be some sheep on the way, so if you are letting your dog off the lead make sure you have got good recall.
• Meet outside the entrance to Burnley Manchester Road Station, postcode BB11 4HU. Free parking is available in the car park.
  A fantastic day out showcasing the very best of Lancashire and West Yorkshire, combining spectacular scenery, fascinating local history and great company.