Parbold - Lancashire Walks

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Parbold
To be out of doors on a bright, clear day in April is one of life’s simple joys. All the dark days
of winter are behind and the promise of spring and summer is set out before you. It hardly
matters where you choose to go to see in the new season but who can resist the prospect of a
bluebell wood besides a babbling brook. That is why this walk to the top of Parbold Hill is
recommended as our walk of the month since it visits the exquisite Fairy Glen. A nice walk
any other time of the year too!
Start: Parbold Village Hall car park.
From M6 exit at junction 27. Follow signs for A5209 to Parbold and Ormskirk. The village is approx 10 Km or 6 miles from
exit. (You may be inclined to admire the view from the lay-by opposite the Wiggin Tree) After crossing railway and then
canal turn right into village on Mill Lane, which leads into Station Road. The village hall is a short distance beyond a parade
of shops.
Distance: 12 Km or 7½ miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Terrain: Mainly easy walking with a moderate amount of effort required to ascend Fairy Glen.
Map: OS Explorer 285 Southport & Chorley
1. Parbold Village to High Moor (6 Km or 3¾ miles:1½ - 2 hours)
From car park walk back to the parade of shops turning left into Tan House Lane. At next T- junction turn right into
Lancaster Lane. On meeting the A5209 turn right and then immediately left into Wood Lane, exercising proper care as you
cross the road. Along Wood Lane views open to the south towards Ashurst Beacon. A stone sign marks the end of the
metalled lane to put you on a farm track. (Pic 1) On reaching a metal gate, pass through a pair of kissing gates onto a public
footpath. On a well way marked trail you will pass through patches of woodland and cross pastureland (Pic 2) to reach a
stile leading into Fairy Glen. (Pic 3) Turn left and follow footpath beside Sprodley Brook through woodland up to the
A5209. This local beauty spot is a very pleasant amenity, well maintained by the countryside service of the (West
Lancashire) district council. (Pic 4) Turn right. After 200m cross the road and near the far end of the lay-by turn left onto a
track. (Pic 5) In 100m the path divides. Bear right towards Boar’s Den Farm. On your right you will notice a distinctive
hillock marked “Boar’s Den” on the OS map and is in fact an ancient barrow – or burial mound. Passing the farm turn left
onto a track. This leads onto a path (Pic 6) which 500m (7½ mins) from the farm will bring you onto High Moor Lane.
2. High Moor to Parbold Village (6 km or 3¾ miles:1½ - 2 hs)
Turn left on reaching the lane. After 100m turn right onto a drive just before High Moor Restaurant. After 500m when the
drive swings left down to Harrock Hall keep ahead on a gently ascending footpath. (Pic 7) After passing through a patch of
woodland turn right on a track leading upwards besides a meshed fence of a covered reservoir. Next to this arrangement is
the triangulation column - the highest point of Parbold Hill at 157m (515ft in old money). (Pic 8) On a clear day the views
are extensive. Retrace steps to the patch of woodland and keep ahead down to a stile. Continue on a clear path and at the
next plantation dogleg right (Pics 9 & 10) around the wood to reach the ruins of the old windmill (Pic 11) that marks the top
of Harrock Hill. At the mill turn left onto a footpath that leads (Pic 12) down through gorse towards a cluster of converted
farm buildings. The right of way follows a drive down to Jackson’s Lane. Turn left onto Jackson’s Lane, which after a
double bend will bring you onto Bannisters Lane. Turn left and begin to climb steeply again. Near the top of the brow turn
right onto a footpath below Hunters Hill Quarry. (Pic 13) When the path meets a track turn right then immediately left onto
a footpath that crosses two fields (Pic 14) to bring you onto Stony Lane. Turn right then in 100m turn left onto a footpath.
The path soon begins a gentle descent to Parbold. After crossing a stile (Pic 15) continue to reach a footbridge which puts
you in the adjoining field on the left. Follow the path as it skirts the field to enter a lane that brings you onto Lancaster Lane,
close to the primary school. (Pic 16) Tann House Lane opposite will take you back to the village centre.
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Map by
Chris Wyatt
at the
Blackpool Gazette
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