After the Walk March 2026
Keswick 2026
East Lancs members enjoyed a week away in Keswick. Lots of walking, eating and drinking!
Wednesday March 18th. The Rabbit out of the Hat. 15 miles. Leader: Caz Tennant.
A last minute vacancy in the walk programme boosted a half fledged walk idea into "The Rabbit out of the Hat". The route had been walked, but wasn't quite as tidy as I would have liked it to be before putting it on, but it did the job remarkably well.
It was a lovely day and ideal for walking, so good in fact that the shorts came out for their first outing after a long, wet winter. 5 of us met at Euxton skate park and set off into Yarrow Valley Park, turning off through Charnock Green and Heskin Green. We started the gentle ascent towards Harrock Hill and had morning break at a very convenient picnic bench with a beautiful view. The weather was perfect and unseasonably warm for March. Blue skies all round, though a bit of haze remained across the hills.
Suitably refreshed, we continued up Harrock Hill to reach the remains of the windmill, surrounded be daffodils. As we dropped down off the hill, the view opened up towards the coast, with Blackpool Tower just visible in the haze.
We passed through a mix of farmland and quiet lanes into Eccleston. Lunch was in Eccleston Millennium park, site of a community orchard and the Eccleston Morris Dancing circle.
We continued through the afternoon across more farm land, with evidence of Spring with the lambs and calves. And we saw multiple rabbits throughout the day, though none came from my hat. We crossed over the River Yarrow, the M6 and then the railway line to make our way into Euxton and back to the cars.
Thank you to the small, but perfectly formed group, for joining me at such short notice.
Caz x
Wednesday March 4th. Lathom Remount. 9.5 miles. Leader: Steve and Noreen Martin.
The 9.5-mile walk began at the entrance of the Lathom House estate, enjoying a gentle breeze and sunshine with a temperature of 14 degrees. A brief stroll up the private drive revealed a view of the west wing of Lathom House, the only remaining section of what was once a grand and expansive building. Continuing down the drive led us to Lathom Chapel, where Cromwell's 'STONE' can be spotted, which was used to cast cannonballs during the civil war. Upon exiting the chapel, the path guided us past the Alms houses and towards the last remaining Remount building from WW1.
We then moved on to the rear of Blythe Hall, a facility for training racehorses. After that, we trekked through muddy fields to the remnants of Burscough Abbey, which was demolished on the orders of Henry VIII, despite the fact that his own family was buried there. The remains of his family and some bells were relocated to St Peter and Paul’s Church in Ormskirk, visible in the distance. Leaving the Abbey through the Abbey Farm campsite, the walk continued along Blythe Lane, passing a notable resting spot for coffin bearers on their way to the Abbey or Lathom Chapel.
After crossing more fields along the tracks, the walk led us along Lady’s Walk into Ruff Wood, where we paused for lunch. Following lunch, we proceeded to Westhead, down Castle Lane, and past Lady’s Wood. The walk then picked up the final ¾ mile of the war horse trail along Cranes Lane back to the entrance of the Lathom estate. Everyone enjoyed an informative and pleasant walk, with all 7 attendees having a great time.
Stephen and Noreen Martin
Walk leaders
Sunday March 1st. GM Ringway, Bromley Cross Extract. 13 miles. Leader Roger Jackson.
The GM Ringway is a 200 mile walk round the edge of Greater Manchester , split into 20 sections based on the idea of using the public transport system. This walk is Section 14 which is from Bromley Cross Station to Blackrod Station. We only go as far as just before Smithills Moor then return down a parallel route. The rest of the section will be covered in a later walk.
Fourteen of us set off a 10.0 am from The Cheetham Pub car park , weather was good and forecast to last all day. First we walked down to Bromley Cross train station. the official start of this section.
From here we walked to Eagley Brook which we followed into Eagley itself. We continued through Eagley Cricket / Tennis club , a small industrial estate and past a fishing lake to reach Belmont Road. Crossing carefully turning left down the main road for 200 yards and taking a right turn down a minor road and following a series for small paths to reach Smithills Coaching Hall for our slightly late morning coffee stop. After coffee ( and cake for some of us) we continued on to Barrow Bridge, up some steep steps eventually reaching Walker Fold our lunch stop.
Now following a series of good paths to eventually climb up to Gilligant's Farm and a minor road. About half a mile up this road we reached the turning where the route continues over Smithills Moor.
We continued along the road eventually dropping down to follow our parallel route back to the pub car park via Horrocks Fold arriving 3.30pm.
Good time for ten of us to go into the pub for a well earned pint accompanied by some rather good chips and dips provided by the pub for free.
Many thanks to all who joined me and putting up with all my bad jokes.
Cheers Roger
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