WALKING 
Parbold Ramblers:   First Sunday in the month. Tel: 463057,  01942 200967 
West Lancs Footpath Group  ‘tel 01704 880782, 425776.
Life Long Learning – Group Walk Fridays, usually with Pub lunch  01695 579095. 
West Lancs Ramblers Assoc:    Tel 01772 812034 or 01695 573744.
 
West Lancashire Countryside Events:
( Phone Rangers on 01695 622794 or email  beacon.park@westlancsdc.gov.uk )

Please follow the Countryside Code at all times, keeping dogs on leads where there are farm animals in the fields.  Suitable footwear should be worn as it can he muddy in places.

PARBOLD WALK No. 1

 CIRCULAR WALK FROM THE FARMERS' ARMS CAR PARK,  HILLDALE, PARBOLD

This is a level walk, but suitable footwear should be worn as it may be muddy in parts. Approx. 3.2 km. (2 miles)
The walk commences from the Farmers Arms, a public house which had, in earlier days, two tenants who were sisters, Helen and Rose Lee. They reared poultry and were renowned for their excellent cooking. It is still well worth a visit for refreshments.
The school was originally established as a free Grammar school for boys by Richard Durning's Charity in the late 17th century. However, girls could attend provided their fees were paid.

From the entrance of the car park at the Farmers Arms (Parking here by kind permission of the Landlord), turn left towards the school. Just past the school take the footpath signposted left. Go over the stile and keeping to the right hand edge of the field walk to the next stile. Go over this, walk diagonally left and after climbing the next stile in the far hedgerow, follow the path over a footbridge.  Bearing right, follow the lane until it meets Malt Kiln Lane, turn right and after approximately
50 m, just beyond Roscoe’s Farm, take the footpath on the left.
Follow the track into the field and continue straight on, keeping to the right hand boundary of the field.  When you reach the end of this field, turn left and walk along the edge of the field to a gap in the hedge and onto Eccles Lane. Turn right here and continue to the end of the lane where you rejoin Malt Kiln Lane. Turn left and walk through the village of Bispham Green, passing ‘TheEagle and Child’ on your right. This is a listed building, the original having had a thatched roof and wattle and daub walls.
At the Pub turn immediately right down Back Lane, and after approx. 40 metres take the footpath on the right. Go over the stile and follow the path along the edge of the field until you meet another lane (Lee Lane). Turn left and follow it until you come to a small gate on the right just before a bungalow.  Go through the gate, follow the path and out over the stile into a field. Keep to the left side of the field for   approx. 75 metres and then go diagonally right towards a stile in the fence. Go over this and follow the path back to the school. Turn right and walk back to the car park.

A detour can be made by following Back Lane for approximately 1 km to Cedar Farm Galleries for light lunches, teas etc.

                                
                                Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail

Correct at the time of printing 2004 .

PARBOLD WALK No 2 

A CIRCULAR WALK FROM BRAMBLE WAY CAR PARK VIA CHAPEL HOUSE

This is a varied walk which includes a stroll through the grounds of Our Lady’s & All Saints’ Church. It also passes the site of the old Douglas Chapel, which was built in 1240.  It includes one fairly steep ascent. Refreshments can be obtained from the various pubs in Parbold.   Distance: approximately 2.75 Km  (1.75miles)

Starting from Bramble Way car park, follow the path towards the iron railings - keeping these on your right. The path then runs parallel to the canal through a wooden gate. Continue on this path until you reach a lane - Chapel Lane.  A small mixed woodland has been planted here and in the summer there is an abundance of wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Turn left and after approximately 150m go over the level crossing. At the top of the lane, where it joins Wood Lane, turn right and then immediately left, by the lamppost, and go over the stile. Walk straight up the field, keeping the fence on your left, for approximately 300m and go over the next stile onto Parbold Hill. Cross this road carefully.  To the right is Parbold Parish Church, Christ Church, built in 1875. Next to it is the old primary school built with stone from the Old Douglas Chapel.

Turn left down the hill and after about 100m.go through some bollards and walk down Miry Lane. Go through a second set of bollards and follow the lane downhill to the left. At the end of Miry Lane cross Lancaster Lane and turn left. After 60m turn right into the Churchyard.  This is the Roman Catholic Church built by Hugh and Richard Ainscough in 1884. (This is private land, but the path is open to the public by kind permission of the Parish Priest). Go through the Church grounds, bearing left at the gravestones, and follow a narrow path, over a footbridge and out through an iron gate back onto Parbold Hill. Turning right down the hill, go over the railway bridge and then the canal bridge. Approximately 100m beyond the canal bridge, just before the StocksTavern, cross over the main road, Alder Lane, and go down Bradshaw Lane. Follow this past the riding school on the right until you come to a stile, go over this and straight across the field keeping to the right hand boundary of the field.  Go over the next stile and through a small wood.  Cross the footbridge, and the next stile and turn left. You will then pass the site of the old Douglas Chapel on your right, marked with a cross.  Go straight through the yard between some houses. These buildings were once part of the settlement of Chapel House. Cross the bridge back over the canal and go immediately left following the path back to the Car Park.

Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail

Correct at the time of printing. 2004

PARBOLD WALK No 3 

CIRCULAR WALK FROM THE VILLAGE SHOPS' CAR PARK

This is a circular walk across undulating farmland with one gradual ascent and a fairly steep descent. There are panoramic views to Southport and Blackpool on a clear day.  Refreshments can be obtained from the various pubs in the villages.
Distance Approximately:   5.5 Km ( 3.5 miles)

The walk commences from the car park behind the row of shops on The Common. Walk from the car park onto the road behind the shops - Brandreth Drive - cross this road and turn left.  At the T-junction  turn right up Tanhouse Lane and walk to the top of this road. At the T-junction with Lancaster Lane, cross over and take the footpath opposite, which runs alongside the school. Following this path, go over the stile, keeping the woodland on your left, until you come to a footbridge over the stream. Cross the bridge, turn diagonally right and follow the path uphill through into the next field. Continue straight across the field until you come to a stile and a gate. Go over the stile, turn right and walk up the lane (Stoney Lane). Ignoring the first signpost left, walk past the houses and take the next footpath on the left - immediately after the house called 'Swallows Nest'

Go over the stile and cross the field, heading for an electricity post in the distance.  Approximately 40 metres left of the post is a stone wall, climb up the stone steps and TURN LEFT following the path until you meet a lane, Hillside Avenue - turn right and walk uphill past the buildings, for approximately 100 metres. There is a stile on the left, quite well hidden in the hedgerow, go over this and turn left, following the path downhill.  Keeping to the left hand side of the fields, continue downhill until the path comes out between a farm and a house onto the road.  Cross the road with care, turn left and walk for approximately 100 m before taking a footpath signposted right. Go over the stile and walking straight down the field cross another stile leading into Grimshaw Green Lane and turn left.

Walk to the end of this lane and turn left. After approx. 25m cross the road with care and take the footpath opposite. Follow the path behind some cottages, and over a stone stile into a field. Go straight across the field, roughly following the line of telegraph posts. When you reach the track on the far side turn left and go out of the white metal gate back onto Chorley Road. Turn right and follow this road for approx. 1 km, crossing over The Common, until you reach Tanhouse Lane. Turn right and walk down the hill to Brandreth Drive. Turn left and cross the road back into the Car Park.

Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail.

Correct at the time of printing 2004

PARBOLD WALK No 4 

CIRCULAR WALK FROM THE CANAL BANK CAR PARK

This is a level, circular walk mainly along the Leeds Liverpool canal, but also taking in the village of Newburgh. The canal is the longest in Britain at 127 miles and is the only navigable trans-Pennine route - providing a route to the Yorkshire Dales. The first section was opened in 1774. Refreshments can be obtained at the pubs in the villages.
Distance:  Approximately 3 Km (2 miles) 

Starting from the car park on the canal bank at the Windmill bridge, follow the towpath towards Hoscar in a westerly direction for approx. 0.75 km. (The canal was originally used for transporting coal, stone, lime and corn, as well as passengers. An express service used to run leaving Liverpool at 8 am and arriving at Wigan at 5 pm). When you come to the first house go down the steps on the right and turn left at the bottom. Follow the lane under the canal until it meets Back Lane and turn left. Walk along this lane, past the school, until you come to the main road through Newburgh. Turn left and walk through the village. When you reach the Red Lion pub cross the road, with care, and take the footpath signposted on the right through Derby House Saddlery.  (Newburgh used to be one of the most important villages in the Douglas Valley, famous for its annual Cattle Fair and cheese making). 
Go straight through the yard, past the stables and through a narrow wooden gate, which is way marked.  Walk straight up the field, keeping the hedge on your right, to another stile.  Go over this, turn left, and immediately right over the footbridge.  Walk straight across the cultivated field to the far hedgerow and way mark post.  Go through the hedgerow and walk diagonally left across the next field  which comes out onto Higher Lane opposite Dalton Grange. Cross the road and turn left. Walk down the hill until you come back to the main road by a mini roundabout on Ash Brow. Cross this road with care and turn left, back into Newburgh.
After approx. 100 m you will come to a wooden seat and approx.20 m after this there is a footpath sign in the hedge, just before a cottage. Turn right down here and follow the path back to the canal, turn right again and follow the path back to the Windmill. Walk through the car park to the main road. Turn left, and walk back over the bridge to the car park .

Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail. 

 Correct at the time of printing 2004

PARBOLD WALK No 5 

CIRCULAR WALK FROM THE WINDMILL TO DALTON LEES

This is a circular walk following the canal towpath and then climbing quite steeply to Dalton Lees, returning back across the fields via Chapel House and the old Douglas Chapel site. The canal is the longest in Britain at 127 miles and is the only navigable trans-Pennine route - providing a route to the Yorkshire Dales. The first section was opened in 1774. Refreshments can be obtained at the pubs in the villages
Distance approximately 7.25 Km (4.75miles) 

The walk commences from the car park on the canal bank at the Windmill bridge. Walk out of the car park onto the bridge, cross the road and turn right.  Go over the bridge and turn left down the towpath towards Wigan. Follow the towpath for approx. 2 km (1.25 miles), passing under two bridges. At the third bridge, No 40 - follow the track which branches to the right and cross over the River Douglas. Continue on this track until you come to a gate and stile.  At this junction continue on ahead over another stile and follow the track uphill, eventually passing some houses on the right.  On reaching the road (Lees Lane) turn left and after approx.100 m turn right at the signposted footpath.

Follow this path as it climbs steeply uphill, passing a small woodland on your right.  At the top turn right and follow the path down into the woodland, crossing a small wooden bridge and stile into a field.  Walk straight across the field towards a line of trees and a fence.  Cross the small wooden bridge and stile and turn left along the track, keeping the fence on your left, until you reach a small gate.  Continue through the gate and straight ahead through some trees, keeping to the edge of the field.

On reaching the woodland on the far side turn right and after approx 30m. go over a stile on your left. Turn immediately right and follow the track downhill until you reach a tarmac road (Hillock Lane).  Turn left and immediately right at a large house, down a track to Rookery Cottage.  At the end of the track go through a gap in the hedge and over a stile into a field. Turn immediately right and walk straight down to the bottom of the field. Cross over the stile onto a tarmac lane (Lees Lane) and turn left. Continue on this lane, passing Dungeon Lane on your left, and take the next footpath right at the entrance to Lees Lane Nursery.  Follow the public footpath alternative route to the right, avoiding the farm house, and after approx. 100 m bear left down the grass path.

Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail. 

Correct at the time of printing 2004

PARBOLD WALK No 6 

CIRCULAR WALK FROM PARBOLD HILL VIA THE FAIRY GLEN

This is a circular walk including some quite steep ascents and descents. It takes in a variety of landscapes including the woodland clough known as ‘Fairy Glen’, with its impressive waterfalls after periods of heavy rain, and profusion of wild flowers, There are also excellent views on a clear day from the top of Parbold Hill. Refreshments can be obtained at the Wiggin Tree.
Distance approximately 4.5 Km (2.75 miles)
Short route: approximately    3 Km (2 miles) 

Park at the top of  Parbold Hill and take the footpath which goes downhill opposite the entrance to the Wiggin Tree car park.  Follow the path as it winds its way down the hill to a gate.  Go through the gate, turn immediately left and pass through two more kissing gates.  Continue on the path, passing through a third kissing gate, until you come to a gate marked ‘Private road’.  (There is a good view of Parbold Hall to the left)  Take the waymarked stile on the right and follow the path until you reach another stile leading into an open field. Cross the field, keeping to the right hand boundary until you come to another stile. Continue straight across the next field to the woodland opposite.  Go over the stile and down the steps into the ‘Fairy Glen’.  Follow the path until you come to a wooden bridge, cross this and climb the stone steps.  At the top turn left.  Walk through the Glen, up some steps and across another footbridge, pausing to look at the waterfall.  Climb another set of steps, continue on the path, ignoring the next footbridge on the right.  When you reach the seat at the top, continue straight ahead across the stream until you reach the main road.

FOR THE  SHORTER WALK – TURN LEFT HERE AND WALK BACK UP THE ROAD TO THE WIGGIN TREE

Otherwise, cross this busy road with care and turn right. Walk for approx. 100 m until you come to a lay by on the left.  At the far end of the lay by go over the stile on the left, beside a gate, and walk straight up the field, keeping the ditch on your right, until you come to a wall. Turn left, and keeping the wall on your right, walk to the corner of the field. Go over the stone stile and follow the path through the woods. Continue on this path - going over two more stiles - until you come to an open field. Follow the path round to the left until you come to a stile.  Cross over this, turn immediately right and walk straight up the field, keeping the hedge, and later a wall, on your right. Follow this path back to the road, go over the stile and turn left up Parbold Hill until you arrive back at the Wiggin Tree.

Use  OS Map 108 Liverpool, for more detail.  

Correct at the time of printing 2004