War of the Roses: Waddington & Bradford Fell 11 Mile Walk

King Henry VI was hidden by supporters during the War of the Roses at Waddington Old Hall, (AD 1464). The village of Waddington was already no stranger to controversy given it is believed to be named after Wadda, an Anglo-Saxon chieftain involved in a plot to assassinate King Ethelred I of Northumbria (AD 796). This walk starts and ends in the village, forming a circle on Bradford Fell and through Grindleton Fell Forest. For over a thousand years both were part of Royal hunting 'forest' stretching across what we now know as Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The walk includes quiet but often broad paths and bridleways, pasture, broadleaf woodland and commercial forestry, and wild moorland tracks, all within the Forest of Bowland. Both the fell and forest were, until half a century ago, in Yorkshire.

More info:

This is quiet walking territory with easy access from the A59 via Clitheroe or from the north via the Trough of Bowland. The walk ascends gradually to reach Grindleton Fell Forest from which there are fine views including Waddington Fell, Pendle Hill, Longridge Fell and the Ribble Valley. The forest is mostly commercial, but including broadleaf and some large open glades where if the weather and timing are right we'll stop for lunch.

After this we progress through the forest again and on to Bradford Fell which has broad track and multiple route options depending on our pace and the weather. The return route off the fell takes us north and west of Waddington through pasture and along some excellent woodland trails.

The walk is 11 miles maximum and I may vary it on the day according to the weather and group size.

Meet-up point:

Meet me in the public car park at Twitter Lane, Waddington, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 3LF. OS Grid reference SD 726 435. What3Words: vitals.enlarge.unravel

PLEASE ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME TO CHECK-IN WITH ME, AND SO WE CAN BE READY TO MOVE OUT AT 1030 HRS.

Parking:

To find the car park and meet-up point drive into Waddington, you'll find the car park is on Twitter Lane off Edisford Road on the west side of the village, and ajoins the village playing fields. If the car park is full there is some street parking but please be respectful of residents.

Parking is free with 25 spaces. There is a vehicle height restriction of 2.1m.
There are no EV points.

Facilities:

There are no public toilets in Waddington.

There is not a shop in the village. The nearest option for supplies is Clitheroe if you are travelling from the south, Chipping from the west, Chatburn from the east and no where at all if you are arriving from the north!

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 green fleece. 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 and cattle, and will cross the territory of deer and ground nesting birds.
Maximum altitude for the walk is about 1,150 ft, we start at 250. Nearly all ascent is gradual. There is minimal road walking.

Waddington, (just north of Clitheroe) is blessed with three pubs, so highly regarded that according to one high brow newspaper the village is one of twenty UK places to visit before you die. I'm dubious there aren't better things to do but we'll put it to the test by ending the walk at the Lower Buck Inn for an end of day drink. From the Inn, the car park is only a hundred yards away.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday 26th September,
Andrew