Lan

cashire WalksParbold

To be out of doors on a bright, clear day in April is one of life’s simple joys. All the dark daysof winter are behind and the promise of spring and summer is set out before you. It hardlymatters where you choose to go to see in the new season but who can resist the prospect of abluebell wood besides a babbling brook. That is why this walk to the top of Parbold Hill isrecommended as our walk of the month since it visits the exquisite Fairy Glen. A nice walkany other time of the year too!

Start: Parbold Village Hall car park.From M6 exit at junction 27. Follow signs for A5209 to Parbold and Ormskirk. The village is approx 10 Km or 6 miles fromexit. (You may be inclined to admire the view from the lay-by opposite the Wiggin Tree) After crossing railway and thencanal turn right into village on Mill Lane, which leads into Station Road. The village hall is a short distance beyond a paradeof shops.

Distance: 12 Km or 7½ milesTime: 3 - 4 hoursTerrain: Mainly easy walking with a moderate amount of effort required to ascend Fairy Glen.Map: OS Explorer 285 Southport & Chorley

1. Parbold Village to High Moor (6 Km or 3¾ miles:1½ - 2 hours)From car park walk back to the parade of shops turning left into Tan House Lane. At next T- junction turn right intoLancaster Lane. On meeting the A5209 turn right and then immediately left into Wood Lane, exercising proper care as youcross the road. Along Wood Lane views open to the south towards Ashurst Beacon. A stone sign marks the end of themetalled lane to put you on a farm track. (Pic 1) On reaching a metal gate, pass through a pair of kissing gates onto a publicfootpath. On a well way marked trail you will pass through patches of woodland and cross pastureland (Pic 2) to reach astile leading into Fairy Glen. (Pic 3) Turn left and follow footpath beside Sprodley Brook through woodland up to theA5209. This local beauty spot is a very pleasant amenity, well maintained by the countryside service of the (WestLancashire) district council. (Pic 4) Turn right. After 200m cross the road and near the far end of the lay-by turn left onto atrack. (Pic 5) In 100m the path divides. Bear right towards Boar’s Den Farm. On your right you will notice a distinctivehillock marked “Boar’s Den” on the OS map and is in fact an ancient barrow – or burial mound. Passing the farm turn leftonto a track. This leads onto a path (Pic 6) which 500m (7½ mins) from the farm will bring you onto High Moor Lane.

2. High Moor to Parbold Village (6 km or 3¾ miles:1½ - 2 hs)Turn left on reaching the lane. After 100m turn right onto a drive just before High Moor Restaurant. After 500m when thedrive swings left down to Harrock Hall keep ahead on a gently ascending footpath. (Pic 7) After passing through a patch ofwoodland turn right on a track leading upwards besides a meshed fence of a covered reservoir. Next to this arrangement isthe triangulation column - the highest point of Parbold Hill at 157m (515ft in old money). (Pic 8) On a clear day the viewsare extensive. Retrace steps to the patch of woodland and keep ahead down to a stile. Continue on a clear path and at thenext plantation dogleg right (Pics 9 & 10) around the wood to reach the ruins of the old windmill (Pic 11) that marks the topof Harrock Hill. At the mill turn left onto a footpath that leads (Pic 12) down through gorse towards a cluster of convertedfarm buildings. The right of way follows a drive down to Jackson’s Lane. Turn left onto Jackson’s Lane, which after adouble bend will bring you onto Bannisters Lane. Turn left and begin to climb steeply again. Near the top of the brow turnright onto a footpath below Hunters Hill Quarry. (Pic 13) When the path meets a track turn right then immediately left ontoa footpath that crosses two fields (Pic 14) to bring you onto Stony Lane. Turn right then in 100m turn left onto a footpath.The path soon begins a gentle descent to Parbold. After crossing a stile (Pic 15) continue to reach a footbridge which putsyou in the adjoining field on the left. Follow the path as it skirts the field to enter a lane that brings you onto Lancaster Lane,close to the primary school. (Pic 16) Tann House Lane opposite will take you back to the village centre.

Copyright www.LancashireWalks.com

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Map byChris Wyattat theBlackpool Gazette

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