Walk Leader: Ann Holden

Number on walk: 21 plus 2 dogs

Distance: 10.0 miles with 162ft of ascent

Weather: Damp, then breezy and sunny spells.

We assembled on the free carpark near Knott End ferry and golf club on a humid, overcast morning. Just as we were about to set off at 10am, David Whitaker’s astute eye spotted John T’s motorhome arriving on the golf club carpark; obviously hasn’t lost his sleuthing skills in his retirement!

After the obligatory group photo, with the Wyre estuary and Fleetwood as backdrop we set off to cross the golf course to Hackensall Hall, a Grade II listed building built in 1873. Here we had an early unplanned stop to don waterproofs as the rain started to fall heavily.

We followed the Wyre Way past the Brine Wells owned by Fleetwood Salt Company (est. 1883). Originally the brine was piped across the river to the salt works at Burn Naze; in 1902 Preesall Salt Works was built on the East side of the river and a 1 mile branch line from the Garstang & Knott End railway to the Preesall site was built in 1912.

On the estuary side of the Wyre Way we passed Barnaby’s Sands and Burrows March, one of the last extensive ungrazed salt marshes in Lancashire. We had a brief snack&brew stop on Corcas Lane, just past the extremely untidy Corcas Farm, with its huge pile of rusting horseshoes and other machinery.

From here we walked into Preesall, via quiet blackberry-laden lanes and public footpaths, ‘rescuing’ a hen and her chicks along the way. The only real ascent of the day near Preesall School was climbed and descended without problem. From the highpoint, we had extensive views of the Bowland Fells, Williamson monument, Barrow-in-Furness, some Lakeland fells and the ever-present Heysham Power Station.

We were pleased to find that a couple of the dilapidated stiles had been repaired since Ann’s recce, although still tricky for the shorter people in the group! Passing Bourbles Fishing Lakes (and the many signposts), we made our way to Pilling Sands and a welcome lunch spot – plenty of level rocks for everyone and good views across Morecambe Bay. By this point, the rain had been replaced by sun & clouds, so pleasantly warm.

From here it was just a case of keeping the sea on our right and walking the sea wall back to our waiting cars. A pleasant walk with excellent company. More photos can be seen 'here'