Walk Leader: Ian Wardle

Number on walk: 13

Distance: 10 miles

Weather: Clear bright blue sky though very cold

From Brindle we past Lady Hall Farm on our way down to the canal at Withnell Fold. We then followed the path around the hall leading to Ollerton Fold which we past through before crossing Chorley Road and passing Lark Hill on the path leading to Oak Royal Golf course. We walked past the clubhouse before dropping down past Gabbots farm on a path coming out on Bury Lane at St Paul's church. We then dropped down through Withnell before taking the path leading past the quarry up onto Withnell Moor. We stopped at Botany Bay Farm colloquially known as The Summer House, just past the lonely 100 yr old beach tree shown in the photo to the right, for lunch.

We then moved on to Solomon's Temple farmhouse where we took a group photo (below) before moving on past Rattenclough Farm to Wheelton Plantation. The route down through the plantation is another being ruined now that bikers have started using it!

We dropped down through the plantation before climbing up past Brinscall Hall to Windy Harbour. We then skirted Highfield Golf Course dropping down to the Golden Lion on Blackburn Road. It was left here and back down to the canal which we crossed before passing through Breworth Fold Farm on our way back to Brindle.  We couldn't have wished for better weather conditions. Great company and a very enjoyable walk.