Garstang Walking Festival Programme 2015

The friends of

Friends Spring and Autumn Walks

Would you like to help support the future success and development of the Garstang Walking Festival?

The festival was launched a decade ago by Wyre Council to encourage people to visit Garstang, enjoy the lovely countryside and also use and support local businesses and organisations.

The Friends of Garstang Walking Festival was formed to support Wyre Council in organising this successful event and we are proud to be carrying out a co-ordinating role in delivering the 2015 festival.

As our involvement increases, we are keen to welcome new people to join us. A variety of opportunities are available including co-leading walks and helping with administration or bookings.

There is an initial £5 joining fee to support the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival which will include regular newsletters to keep you up to date.

If you are interested in helping or would like further information about the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival, please contact Les Fragle on 01995 672230 or email les.fragle@gmail.com

These walks, led by the Friends, will give you a chance to experience the Walking Festival in early spring and whet your appetites for the main festival in May, and then to maintain the interest after the festival.

These walks take place on the last Sunday of the month from March to April and September to November and start at 10am, lasting between 3 and 6 hours and will be charged at £3.50/£2.50 or £4.50/£3.50.

All walks are booking essential.

Sunday 29 March 10am - 4pm Hill and Dale from Dolphinholme Grade: Hard A circular walk along the River Wyre following woodland paths and open farmland returning over the high ground with excellent views.

Sunday 26 April 10am- 3pm Source of the River Brock Grade: Moderate A circular seven mile country walk along the base of the Bleasdale Fells to a source of the river Brock at Arrowbank Spring where there are some waterfalls.

Sunday 27 September 10am- 3pm Wyresdale Park, Scorton Grade: Hard A circular walk over Nicky Nook and Harrisend Fell continuing through farmland and byways.

Sunday 25 October 10am - 4pm Bleasdale Fells Walk Grade: Hard A circular nine to ten mile walk along the base of Parlick Fell to Saddle End Farm, ascending Wolf Fell, along the tops to Fairsnape and returning to Beacon Fell via Bleasdale.

Festival Long Distance Walks

High Fells and Low Pastures

Ridge Challenge Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May A new series of three walks exploring the ridges of the eastern fells of Wyre. These are strenuous walks for the seasoned walker and each walk is between 13 to 15 miles long.

Visit Garstang Walking Festival Open Day Come along to our open evening 2pm – 6pm on Thursday 30 April 2015 at the Visit Garstang Centre.

There will be an opportunity to book on the walks and activities, meet the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival and find out about places to visit in Garstang and Wyre.

FREE - Health walks and guided walks up to one hour

£3.50 Adults, £2.50 - concessions, children legstretchers, half day walk 1- 4 hours £4.50 Adults, £3.50 - concessions, children full day walk over 4 hours £10 where transport is provided on the route

Health

If you have any medical conditions that the activity leader should know about, please mention this at the start of the activity. Alternatively, check with your GP or health practitioner before you take part. Our health walks are a good starting point for people recovering from ill health.

There are walks for all abilities throughout the week.

Safety

How to book and find out more You can book your place on the activities (as well as accommodation) at the Visit Garstang Centre.

Visit Garstang Centre opening hours:

November – March April – October

11am – 3.30pm 10.30am – 4.30pm

By phone:

01995 602125

Download: complete the booking request form at

wyre.gov.uk/GWF By email: By post to:

garstangtic@wyre.gov.uk

Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Park Hill Road, Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 1EF

Wyre Council, Civic Centre Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde Lancashire FY6 7PU

When attending an activity, please take the advice of the leader. We reserve the right to refuse to take people on activities if we feel they are unsuitably equipped for the activity. If you intend to leave early please inform your leader. For your own safety, please come dressed to match the type of activity and weather with appropriate footwear and waterproof clothing.

How to book and pay

Please quote the booking reference shown next to the event name when booking. Any activity that requires

booking should be paid for in advance and no refunds will be given. Make cheques payable to Wyre Council and

send your remittance to Countryside Walks Bookings at the Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Park Hill Road, Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 1EF.

Poor Weather

Please note a Ranger/Leader will be at the start of an activity whatever the weather.

In extreme conditions a decision will be taken on the day by the leader and the group whether or not to cancel.

Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 May

High Fells and Low Pastures

Tel: 01253 891000 wyre.gov.uk Access for All – Take a Tramper on one of our walks

/visitwyre @wyrecouncil @visitwyre For information on the Forest of Bowland visit

The Tramper is an all-terrain electric vehicle designed for people with differing abilities to access the countryside. Its capacity to deal with stones, mud, grass and rough ground is astonishing.

forestofbowland.com Disclaimer

A Tramper must be booked 48 hours in advance. (Please note one week in advance if you wish to use it on a health walk.)

For walks or activities in the festival please book one when you book the walk/activity. For the remaining walks please book at the addresses below.

The information contained within this publication is given in good faith on the basis of information submitted to Wyre Council. Wyre Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Although efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the publication at the time of going to press, changes can occur and it is advisable to contact the booking office prior to the event to confirm the information provided.

First time users need to attend a short induction and should take along a passport photo and proof of identify to register.

Photography used within this leaflet courtesy of Michael Coleran Photography

You can hire one free of charge for use on the suitable walks shown in the brochure, on the Health Walks or on Tramper Trails in Wyre and Lancashire.

Celebrate springtime in Garstang and the Forest of Bowland

If you would like this information in large print or an alternative Trampers are available from: format, please ring Wyre Council on 01253 891000 Wyre Estuary Country Park 01253 887515/01253 863100 Beacon Fell and Lancashire County Council 01995 640557 Wyresdale Access for All Wheels 01524 791329 (small charge) Bowland Experience 01200 448000

To

Walk price guide

2015

garstang.net

Important Information – before you join our walks:-

KEY

Height above sea level

Open Access Area

A6

Wyre Way

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of all walks to allow for registration, putting boots on, etc.

• The finish times of the walks are approximate as the duration may depend on the number of walkers, e.g. crossing stiles, the weather conditions.

Lancashire Coastal Way

400 m

Footpaths/Bridlepaths

200 m

Scorton Millennium Way

0

Forest of Bowland AONB 22 Meeting points Bridleways

i

Information Centre Country Park Nature Reserve

15

Grizedale & Bleasdale Cycle Route Lancashire Cycleway Canal

Fleetwood

Motorway

11

14

Location

i

17

Knott End on Sea

Winmarleigh

• Dogs are allowed on the one hour health walks and legstretchers, but must be kept under close control at all times and on a lead on request by the leader and you must clean up after them.

• On some walks public transport is used and the need to bring money or bus pass with you will be shown in the brochure. On some other walks transport will be provided which is why the cost of these walks is higher than for other walks.

• Please wear suitable clothing and footwear to cater for all weather conditions, including conditions underfoot, plus a drink particularly on the longer walks.

• Please bring medication you may need during the walk.

• For some walks there may be things, such as binoculars, camera, etc. to bring with you but they will be highlighted in the brochure and a reminder will be given when you have booked a walk.

Cabus

Pilling

Train

Preesall

Roads

Oakenclough

5

20

A588

Barnacre

Garstang Stalmine

A587 8

i Cleveleys

6

i12

Nateby

Calder Vale

M6

9

Bleasdale

10

4

18

Hambleton

Thornton

Catterall Claughton

St Michael’s on Wyre

Out Rawcliffe

2

7

Churchtown

19

A6

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.

Wyre Council Licence No. 100018720 2004.

A586 A587

Myerscough Great Eccleston

Poultonle-Fylde

Bilsborrow 3

A586 Inskip

Blackpool

Walk Number

Scorton

Rossall

• Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on guided walks unless stated in the walk description. This is because many of the walks cross farmland containing livestock or nesting birds.

The map alongside shows the approximate locations of the meeting points for each walk or activity. Note these may not necessarily be the start of the walk as for some walks transport (private or public) is used from the meeting points to the walk start.

Dolphinholme

Forton

Scorton Cycle Route

• If you cannot attend a walk please, if possible, let the leader or Visit Garstang staff know in good time so if there are reserves on the list they can be given the chance to attend the walk.

Walk Meeting Points

1

M6

13

Morecambe Bay

Parks & Picnic Area

wyre.gov.uk

To 16

J33

e yr W R.

Walkers will be able to experience the best of springtime in the countryside of the Forest of Bowland and around Garstang, enjoying bluebell woodlands, moorland wildlife and upland views.

Find out the local history of the area and also explore to the west of Bowland the wetlands and coastal areas of Morecambe Bay and further afield.

For information on Garstang also visit

At 41 miles in length it follows the River Wyre (as closely as possible) using public rights of way from the sea at Fleetwood and Knott End-on-Sea, up towards the sources above Abbeystead in the Forest of Bowland.

wyre.gov.uk/visitwyre

The theme of the festival this year is

visitwyre.co.uk Tel: 01995 602125

Wyre Way Saturday 9 to Tuesday 12 May Over the years the Wyre Way has proved a popular four-day walk during the Garstang Walking Festival.

For more details check the website nearer the time.

co-ordinated by the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival supported by Wyre Council.

For regularly updated information about what’s going on in Wyre visit:

For both of these long distance walks, transport will be supplied to the start or finish and you will need to bring all weather clothing, walking boots, packed lunch and a drink.

Sunday 29 November 10am-1pm Knott End & Preesall – Wildlife & History Grade: Easy A circular walk along the Wyre estuary and inland along lanes and paths looking at a hall built by a Scandinavian, winter wildfowl, a bygone industry and its associated railway.

Welcome to the 2015 Walking Festival

Visitor Information

A585

Directions to Garstang

M55

By car J3 J4 From the north - Exit M6 at junction 33 (Lancaster south).

Follow signs for Garstang, taking the A6 south, for approx 10 minutes.

From the south - Exit M6 at junction 32 (Preston).

From the west - Exit M55 at junction 1 (Preston).

For either, follow signs for Garstang, taking the A6 north, for approx 20 minutes.

From the east - Take the A59 to junction 31 of the M6.

Join the motorway and exit at junction 32, as per directions from the south.

al aan r CC te s a nc La

From the Fylde Coast take the A586 to Churchtown. Turn left onto the A6 J1 north and follow the signs to Garstang, for approx 5 minutes.

Garstang j J32

M6

By public transport For details of train and bus times please ring 0871 200 22 33 or 0857 48 49 50.

The nearest railway stations to Garstang are Preston, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lancaster.

For bookings ring 01995 602125

1. Abbeystead G17 2. Beacon Fell G27 3. Bilsborrow G23 4. Bleasdale G30, G31, G32, G33, G34, G40, G41, G44, G47 5. Cabus G13 6. Calder Vale G10, G46 7. Claughton G38 8. Cleveleys G45, Health Walk 9. Cobble Hey G25, G37, G43 10. Delph G20, G36.

11. Fleetwood Health Walk 12. Garstang G3, G4 G5, G7, G8, G12, G14, G18, G19, G22 13. Glasson G16 14. Knott End Health Walk 15. Pilling G2 16. Quernmore G42 17. Scorton G11, G15, G21, G24, G26, G28, G35, G39 18. Stanah G6, Health Walk 19. Thornton Health Walk 20. Winmarleigh G9

Festival Diary 2015

For bookings call 01995 602125 Saturday 9 May to Tuesday 12 May Walk the Wyre Way Challenge (G1) Times vary Grade: Moderate/Hard Cost: £30 for all four days Booking essential Area: Stanah/Garstang/Abbeystead For those who like a challenge or enjoy longer walks, join us to walk the Wyre Way which is 41 miles from sea to source.

This four day walk follows the course of the River Wyre from Morecambe Bay at Knott End-on-Sea through to Garstang and on into the Forest of Bowland.

8 to 12 miles each day

Saturday 9 May Dawn Chorus Walk (G2) 6am – 8am Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Pilling Listening and looking for birds waking up, singing and becoming active in the early morning.

1 mile, drink, binoculars Opening Ceremony 9.30am – 10.30am Cost: Free Area: Garstang Join the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival for the opening of the 2015 Festival. Enjoy a drink and piece of celebration cake before the first Garstang based walks set off.

The Story of Greenhalgh Castle (G3) 10.15am – 11.45am Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang Discover the fascinating history behind Garstang’s ruined castle, its connection to Henry VII, The Battle of Bosworth Field and the man who built it - the First Earl of Derby.

2-3 miles, heritage event Canal and Country (G4) 10.15am – 12.45pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang A circular walk following the Lancaster Canal returning on footpaths through Nateby, Kirkland and along the River Wyre.

4.5 miles, drink, binoculars Nicky Nook & Grizedale Valley (G5) 10.15am – 3pm Grade: Hard Cost:£4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang From Visit Garstang we walk along the Wyre Way towards Scorton. We then climb Nicky Nook to enjoy the views towards Morecambe Bay and the surrounding fells. We descend to Grizedale Valley where we start our return by various paths to Garstang.

8.5 miles, packed lunch, drink, binoculars

Fair Trade Walk (G8) 9am – 5pm Grade: Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang/Lancaster A level long distance walk, using the towing paths of the Lancaster Canal and the Lune Estuary path between Garstang and Lancaster.

16 miles, packed lunch, drink, money/pass for service bus Farmland, Moss and Distant Hills (G9) 10am – 3pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Winmarleigh A low lying walk with wide ranging views of the distant fells, along lanes and over Winmarleigh Moss, home to a number of rare species such as the ironically named Common Lizard.

Refreshments (extra charge) available at the finish of the walk.

8.5 miles, packed lunch, drink, binoculars Bluebell Teas (G10) 1pm – 2pm Grade: Moderate Cost: Free Area: Calder Vale A short walk every Sunday in May through a beautiful bluebell wood, a short steep climb to St John’s Church and then an easy country walk along farm tracks back to the Village Hall for afternoon tea (extra charge).

2 miles, tramper, WC at start, binoculars, camera.

A Walk in the Woods (G11) 1pm – 3pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Wyresdale Park Join woodland consultant Dave Brackley for a wander around Wyresdale Park’s wonderful woods and Arboretum, marvel at the spectacular specimen trees on show. Refreshments available at the Apple Store Cafe (extra charge).

2-3 miles, binoculars

Monday 11 May Walk the Wyre Way Challenge Day 3 (G12) 9am – 4pm Grade: Hard Cost: £10 or £30 for all four days Booking essential Area: Garstang - Abbeystead Meeting at the High Street Car Park in Garstang, we follow the River Wyre through Scorton up to Lower Dolphinholme after which we climb out of the river valley before descending again into Abbeystead. The scenery in this section of the walk changes from the estuary/farmland of the first two days to woodland and upland moor.

12 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink, transport Lost Footpaths (G13) 10am – 3.30pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Cabus Enjoy a circular walk through farmland that abounds with wildlife, to the north west of Garstang along footpaths that have been very little used in the past years.

7.5 miles, packed lunch, drink In the Footsteps of Lady Hamilton (G14) 10.15am – 2.15pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang Join local historian Paul Smith for a walk linking up premises owned and used by Lady Hamilton and learn about the history of her and the well.

6 miles, packed lunch, drink, binoculars, money/pass for service bus Views over Wyre (G15) 6.30pm – 8.30pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Scorton Alongside the River Wyre, across fields and through woodland up to Higher Lane for views over Wyre.

4 miles, binoculars, camera

Walk the Wyre Way Challenge Day 1 (G6) 11am – 5pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £10 or £30 for all four days Booking essential Area: Stanah – Knott End Transport provided from Wyre Estuary Country Park to Fleetwood, where we take the ferry to Knott End. The walk is then from Knott End along the north bank of the River Wyre as far as Shard Bridge returning to the Wyre Estuary Country Park along the south bank of the River Wyre.

8 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink, Knott End Ferry – extra charge (please bring cash), transport

Tuesday 12 May

Sunday 10 May

Walk the Wyre Way Challenge Day 4 (G17) 9.30am – 4pm Grade: Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 or £30 for all four days Booking essential Area: Abbeystead Meeting at the Parish Hall in Abbeystead this section is a circular walk. From Abbeystead we cross farmland to Tarnbrook and then across moorland to Marshaw in the Forest of Bowland. Refreshments and presentation of certificates back at the Parish Hall.

9 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink, binoculars

Walk the Wyre Way Challenge Day 2 (G7) 9am – 5pm Grade: Hard Cost: £10 or £30 for all four days Booking essential Area: Shard Bridge - Garstang Meeting at the High Street Car Park in Garstang, there is transport provided to Shard Bridge where we join the Wyre Way path. This is the longest and hardest day of the Wyre Way Challenge. The path follows the north bank of the Wyre towards Out Rawcliffe where it departs from the river and crosses through farmland meeting up with the Wyre again at St Michael’s. From St Michael’s we follow the river to Churchtown where once again we leave the Wyre to go across farmland until reaching Garstang.

12 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink, transport

Glasson Dock & Cockersands Abbey (G16) 9.30am – 1pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Glasson Dock A circular walk via canal, country lanes and farmland to the Lancashire Coastal Way passing Cockersands Abbey with views of the Lune Estuary, before returning to our starting point.

6.5 miles, WC at start, drink, binoculars

Winmarleigh Hall (G18) 12.15pm – 5pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang/Winmarleigh A walk including a visit to Winmarleigh Hall to learn about its history.

5 miles, packed lunch, drink, money/pass for service bus

Garstang Ramblers (G19) 6.30pm – 9pm Grade: Moderate Cost: Free Area: Garstang An evening walk with the local Ramblers Group around the Garstang and Scorton area taking in the Bluebell woods.

5 miles, drink

Wednesday 13 May Source and Upper Stretch of the River Calder (G20) 9am – 4/5pm Grade: Very Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Delph A full days strenuous walk on the wild side via Tom Waring’s Well and The Arbour, along the River Calder as it comes off the fells and flows towards the River Wyre. Expect a steep ascent and rough conditions underfoot. Explore a very isolated and unique landscape.

10 miles, packed lunch, drink Wyresdale Park Visit (G21) 10.30am – 3pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Scorton A tour of Wyresdale Park. The Estate staff will lead a conducted tour of the hall and gardens prior to a walk around the surrounding countryside including an ascent of Nicky Nook.

Refreshments available (extra charge) after the walk.

4 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink The Garstang Historic Pub Stroll (G22) 6pm – 7.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang Back in the 18th century Garstang boasted 15 public houses along its streets. Learn where the public houses were, what they were called and what happened to them all. We finish for refreshments (extra charge) at Th’Owd Tithebarn.

2 miles, heritage event Bilsborrow Legstretcher (G23) 6.30pm – 8.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Bilsborrow An evening stroll along the towing path of the Lancaster Canal and the River Brock then across fields and farm tracks to return to our starting point.

4 miles, WC at start, binoculars, well behaved dogs welcome

Thursday 14 May Sheep and Shepherds at Sykes Farm(G24) 9.30am – 11.30am Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Scorton A walk and talk about farming at Sykes Farm with the farmers (dependent on the weather). Refreshments available after the event (donation requested).

Farm activity Lapwings and Hares Tramper Trek and Wildlife Walk (G25) 10am – 12.30pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Cobble Hey Join the Countryside Rangers on foot or tramper to look for lapwings (and their chicks) and also maybe a hare or two.

3 miles, tramper, WC at start, drink, binoculars Wyresdale Ramble (G26)

10am – 4pm Grade: Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Scorton A circular walk from Scorton Picnic Site through farmland, tracks and paths to a low level path on Harris End Fell, then onto farmland paths into Lower Dolphinholme and return to the start via riverside and woodland paths.

8 miles, packed lunch, drink, binoculars Beacon Fell Circular (G27) 10am – 5pm Grade: Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Beacon Fell Circular walk starting and finishing at Beacon Fell Country Park via Bleasdale and the Brock Valley, (approx 150m of climbing).

We pass through fields, woods and along the river bank. Cafe (extra charge) available at the Visitor Centre.

10 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink Garstang Heritage Trail (G28) 6pm – 7.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang A stroll into our town’s past. How did Garstang get its name?

What was it like centuries ago and what about the people?

Follow the trail along our streets and discover the history of Garstang, the buildings and the historical remains. We finish for refreshments (extra charge) at Th’Owd Tithebarn.

2 miles, heritage event

Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May Three Day Ridge Challenge (G29)

Times vary Grade: Hard/Very Hard Cost: £20 for all three days

Area: Bleasdale/Delph/Abbeystead This is a new series of three walks for those who enjoy long strenuous walks to challenge the ridges of the eastern fells of Wyre. They are for the seasoned walker and each walk is between 13 to 15 miles long with plenty of ascents and descents over rough moorland terrain.

13 to 15 miles

Friday 15 May Friday is Bleasdale Day with all but one event being based around Bleasdale Parish Hall. Come for the day and enjoy a variety of events.

Three Day Ridge Challenge Day 1 (G30) 9am – 5pm Grade: Very Hard Cost: £4.50/3.50 or £20 for all three days Booking essential Area: Bleasdale A circular walk from Bleasdale Parish Hall following the ridge from Fairsnape along Wolf Fell and Saddle Fell to Totridge. The return is along the footpaths through fields, woods and lanes along the base of the fells to the Parish Hall. Refreshments (extra charge) available in the hall after the walk.

14 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink Bleasdale Legstretcher World War 1, a time to remember (G31) 9.30am – 12.30pm* Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Bleasdale A walk with a talk, around the Bleasdale Estate about the effect of World War 1 on the area. *The walk will last 2 hours after which a film ‘The First World War – Life on the Home Front in North West England presented by North West Archive’ will be shown in the Parish Hall. Refreshments available (extra charge) after the film.

3 miles, WC at the Hall Introduction to Green Woodcraft (G32) 10am – 3.30pm Cost: £15 Booking essential Area: Bleasdale Ranger, Greg Robinson, will show you how to make gypsy clothes pegs, coat hooks, feather sticks and whittle a walking stick. You will learn how to use axes, draw knives and whittling knives. These are great projects that can be done at home with very few tools and little time. A relaxing day so come and have a go. (Refreshments available at extra cost in the hall).

WC at the hall, outdoor clothing, walking boots, packed lunch, drink Navigation by Map and Compass (G33) 10am – 4pm Cost: £6 Booking essential Area: Bleasdale Unravel the mysteries of map reading, learn the skills of using a compass, understand contours and map features and other navigation skills when enjoying the outdoors. (Refreshments available at extra cost in the hall.)

WC at the Hall, packed lunch, drink, compass and notebook Tewit Teas (G34)

1.30pm – 3.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Bleasdale Farmland walk looking at birds and wildlife with the emphasis on breeding wading birds (lapwings, curlew, oystercatcher, redshank and snipe). Field walking can be uneven and wet dependent on weather. Refreshments (extra charge) available in the Parish Hall after the walk.

2-3 miles, WC at the Hall, binoculars Bat Walk (G35) 8pm – 10pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Garstang Join the Countryside Rangers and WildAid on our popular bat walk along the banks of the River Wyre.

1 mile, tramper, torch, binoculars

Saturday 16 May Three Day Ridge Challenge Day 2 (G36) 9am – 5pm Grade: Very Hard Cost: £10 or £20 for all three days Booking essential Area: Bleasdale Fells The walk starts at Grizedale Bridge and finishes at Delph Quarry. Transport will be provided from the quarry to the start.

It follows the skyline along Grizedale Fell and Hawthornthwaite Fell. Return via the Langdon Valley and Fiendsdale Head to Delph Quarry. There are steep ascents and descents and walking over rough moorland.

15 miles, packed lunch, drink Bluebells and Binoculars (G37) 9.30am – 1.30pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Cobble Hey Walking along paths, lanes and crossing pastures as we pass historic buildings around Calder Vale including St John’s Parish Church, the Methodist Chapel and the mill. Hoping to see flowers and birds as springtime gets underway.

6 miles, WC at start, binoculars

Claughton Estate Walk (G38) 10am – 1pm Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50/2.50 Booking essential Area: Claughton This is a special walk with the owners of the estate taking a look at its historical landscape including a visit to lovely bluebell woodland. This year we have extended the walk to allow extra time for Mr and Mrs Fitzherbert-Brockholes to show us around the grounds. If you would like to join us for a picnic after the walk, please bring a packed lunch.

1-2 miles, binoculars Scorton Challenge Tramper Trek and Walk (G39) 10.30am – 3pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Scorton Join our ramble and tramper trek on foot or tramper where we attempt to go where you never dreamed possible - over Nicky Nook Fell (weather permitting).

6 miles, tramper, WC at start, packed lunch, drink, binoculars Bleasdale Tower Gardens Day 1 (G40) Noon – 4.30pm Cost: Adults £4, Children 12-16 £1, under 12 free Area: Bleasdale Come and look around the beautiful gardens of Bleasdale Tower on the western edge of the Forest of Bowland. Includes displays, plants for sale, refreshments and a heritage walk at 2pm (extra charge). For further details of the walk please see ‘A visit to the North Lancashire Reformatory’.

WC available A visit to the North Lancashire Reformatory (G41) 2pm – 3.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: All ages £1 (paid on the day at the gardens in addition to the entry charge to the gardens) Area: Bleasdale Starting at Bleasdale Tower Garden, walking to the old Reformatory and then passing Clough Head Bridge to enjoy the view of Bleasdale.

2 miles, WC, heritage event, binoculars, camera

Walking Grades Information on walking grades To help you decide which is the walk for you.

Wherever possible an approximate time and terrain guide has been given for each walk.

Terrain Guide Please note our Health Walks are graded from All to Moderate, most being Easy.

All – Relatively flat, surfaced paths, no stiles, suitable for wheelchair and pushchairs, may include road crossings.

Easy – Relatively level ground, fields, lanes and tracks, possibly with some gentle slopes, stiles or livestock.

Moderate – Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some moderate slopes, expect stiles/livestock.

Hard – Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some steeper climbs, expect stiles/livestock.

Very Hard – Limited paths, rough walking, steep climbs, expect stiles/livestock.

T – Tramper – suitable for people using trampers (see below for hire details).

Things to bring with you – you might be advised to bring some of the items below with you on some or all of the walks, please check before attending.

Walking boots Stout footwear Packed lunch and a drink All weather clothing

Sunday 17 May Three Day Ridge Challenge Day 3 (G42) 9am – 5pm Grade: Hard Cost: £10 or £20 for all three days Booking essential Area: Bowland Fells Transport will be provided from Rigg Lane to Stoops Bridge, Abbeystead for the start of this last ridge walk. It ascends via Tarnbrook Fell to follow the ridge to Ward’s Stone, Gritt Fell and Clougha Pike before descending to Rigg Lane. There are steep ascents and descents and walking over rough and uneven ground.

13 miles, packed lunch, drink

Walking Wyre

Brock Valley Ramble (G43)

10am – 3.30pm Grade: Moderate Cost: £4.50/3.50 Booking essential Area: Cobble Hey A circular walk from Cobble Hey down to the delightful Brock Valley and back across farmland.

8 miles, WC at start, packed lunch, drink

Well behaved dogs are welcome on these walks but they must be under control at all times.

Bleasdale Tower Gardens Day 2 (G40) Noon – 4.30pm Cost: Adults £4, Children 12-16 £1, under 12 free Area: Bleasdale Come and look around the beautiful gardens of Bleasdale Tower on the western edge of the Forest of Bowland. Includes displays, plants for sale, refreshments and a heritage walk at 2pm (extra charge). For further details of the walk please see ‘A visit to the North Lancashire Reformatory’.

WC available A visit to the North Lancashire Reformatory (G41) 2pm – 3.30pm Grade: Easy Cost: All ages £1 (paid on the day at the gardens in addition to the entry charge to the gardens) Area: Bleasdale Starting at Bleasdale Tower Garden, walking to the old Reformatory and then passing Clough Head Bridge to enjoy the view of Bleasdale.

2 miles, WC, heritage event, binoculars, camera Mythic Coast (G45)

1pm – 2pm Grade: Easy Cost: Free Booking essential Area: Cleveleys Come along and hear the tale of the sea swallow, performed by storytellers. Learn about the mythic coast on this short walk and visit the sculptures inspired by the story. This is a walk aimed at children to help bring the sculptures to life and develop the mythic coast ideas.

1 mile, children’s event Bluebell Teas (G46)

1pm – 2pm Grade: Moderate Cost: Free Area: Calder Vale A short walk every Sunday in May through a beautiful bluebell wood, a short steep climb to St John’s Church and then an easy country walk along farm tracks back to the Village Hall for afternoon tea (extra charge).

2 miles, tramper, WC at start, binoculars, camera

Health Walks All health walks are FREE and everyone is welcome. No need to book these easy grade walks – unless you require a Tramper.

Please book Trampers a minimum of one week in advance (T).

Date Saturday 9 Tuesday 12 Wednesday 13 Saturday 16 Sunday 17

Location Fleetwood Thornton Knott End Cleveleys Wyre Estuary Country Park

Time 2pm – 3pm T 2pm – 3pm 2pm – 3pm T 10.30am – 11.30am 2pm – 3pm T

Please note for beginners we can do shorter walks from 10 - 30 minutes. Please let the leader know when you join the walk. wyre.gov.uk/walking