Walk Leaders:       Gareth and Doreen

Number on walk:    30 + 2 Dogs

Distance:               10 miles

Weather:               Mostly dry with the odd shower   

We left Grimsargh, crossing fields and encountering the first of many stiles. After Clarkson’s Fold we walked through Fulwood Park Wood (or Squire Anderton’s wood as it is known to Prestonians) to reach Ladyewell, an ancient shrine. The first documentary evidence was recorded in 1348 but it is known to have existed many centuries earlier. The grounds have many interesting statues and a holy well.

From there we made our way to Chingle Hall, built in 1260 and reputed to be the most haunted house in the country. In 1641, during the time of Catholic persecution, John Wall became a priest and the hall was used as a secret mass centre. It contains six known hides and priest holes. John Wall was later captured, hung, drawn and quartered. He was canonized in 1970 and a stone bearing his name is at the front of the house opposite.

On our way to Grimsargh we passed through the grounds of the former Whittingham hospital which, by the end of WWI, was  the largest mental hospital in the country with 3500 beds, a ballroom, theatre, cricket pitch and a fishing lake.

Lunch over, we made our way to Eaves Green Farm, a Georgian manor house, and crossed more fields (and more stiles!) to come across a lonely grave to Brian Clayton who died in 2006. The final two miles took us (yes, you’ve guessed it!) through more fields to reach what remains of the Grimsargh to Whittingham branch line which went from the Plough Inn at Grimsargh to the hospital, transporting both freight and people who travelled free of charge. At one time there were up to 12 trains a day and the line closed in 1957.

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