Coastal Way - Walk 1: St. Annes to Lytham

This straightforward walk uses a small section of the Way and may come as a surprise to those readers who had formed the impression that Lytham and St.Anne’s were one entity. Late 19th century development may have merged the two villages into the genteel resort we see today, but there is sufficient distance between the centres to provide a bracing seaside walk.

Start: It is suggested that if arriving by car, park on Lytham Green close to the windmill.

Total Distance: 6 Km or 4 miles
Time: 1½ hours
Terrain:  A stroll along the prom!

Here you are on Central Beach. Cross the road and by taking any of the side streets opposite find your way to Clifton Street, the main shopping thoroughfare of Lytham. Turn left walking towards Market Square. Along this stretch you’ll find a bus stop with a number of routes taking you to St.Anne’s. Alight at St Anne’s Square. Taking St.Anne’s Road West will bring you in front of St.Anne’s Pier.

1. St. Anne’s Pier to Lytham Green (5½ km or 3½ miles: 1½ hours)
This walk hardly merits a detailed description since the way is obvious at all times and in all conditions except dense fog. In front of the pier turn left to walk towards Lytham. Those of you who prefer not to get sand in their shoes will stick to the promenade. Hardier souls may be enticed by the dunes and beach. However do not be enticed too far out unless you possess a detailed knowledge of tide tables Initially the direction is south-eastwards, turning eastwards as you near Lytham. There are a number of points of interest on the walk.
St Anne’s pier itself is a well preserved example of its kind. Nearby is a monument to the lifeboat disaster of 1886.
Fairhaven Lake is an attractive amenity 30 minutes into the walk.



At Ansdell the conspicuously white United Reform Church draws the eye.



On your right the Ribble Estuary is an internationally renowned area for bird life of the wading variety.



 Across it, on the horizon, the West Pennine Moors rise with the tall mast of Winter Hill over 20 miles away, but looking so much closer.

Coastal Way - Walk 2: Pilling and Knott End

On this stretch of the Coastal Way you will be given wide views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District fells and inland towards Bowland.

Distance; 13 Km or 8 miles
Time: 3½ - 4½ hours
Terrain: Flat and easy with one surprising ascent.

Start: Car Park: Fluke Hall Lane, Pilling. From junction 3 M55 take the A585 towards Fleetwood. At Little Singleton turn right onto A588 to cross the Wyre at Shard Bridge. Keep on the A588 as it turns right at Preesall Park into Burned House Lane and then right into Head Dyke Lane. Turn into Carr Lane towards Pilling and follow signs for village centre. After the church on left turn into Fluke Hall Lane, just before the Golden Ball. The car park is a short distance beyond Fluke Hall on the left side of the lane.

Map

1.Car park to Knott End (8 Km or 5 miles: 2 hours)
To begin with walk back towards Fluke Hall and turn right onto footpath just beyond the car park.


Cross the field to a metal gate and keep ahead in the next field until an extensive ruin is reached. (Marked "Old Ridge" on the map.) Here waymark arrows will direct you slightly to the left but ahead past a small pond. Crossing a footbridge into the next field keep the hedge on your left to reach a second seemingly purposeless bridge.

After crossing it, if you must, turn right and walk down to the corner of the field to a stile. After crossing it you will soon come to another which will bring you out by Beech House.


On reaching the lane by Beech House turn left and then at the T junction turn right. This places you on Wheel Lane. Walk past the Springfield House Hotel and down to the next junction. Here turn right into Hooles Lane and follow it as it dog legs to a slight bend in the road. Here turn right into Ned's Lane, a farm track. Keep ahead until the next junction of tracks is reached. (Do not be put off by a forbidding "No access" sign that applies to road traffic.)


Turn left and after passing Grange Cottages soon reach another lane. Keep ahead to the next bend (200m) and enter a large arable field. Cross on an obvious path to a gate in the hedge.

Here turn left and again crossing an arable field where the right of way has been helpfully made clear by the farmer, reach a stile close to some out buildings.



Keep ahead and after a second wooden kissing gate turn right towards the main farm buildings (Bourbles Farm).




After passing the farm continue along a track that will quickly bring you to the first of two fishing ponds. After passing the first look for a footpath sign on the left.


This takes a course between the ponds. With the second pond on your right look for a very obscure stile in the field boundary a little way over on the left.

Across the field there is a small footbridge and maintaining the same direction after crossing it, reach a stile. Cross to follow a very overgrown path onto the end of a residential lane. Turn right and walk down to road (B5270 Lancaster Road) Turn left and then right onto a footpath across a field.




By now you may be impressed with the hill before you which seems completely out of character with the rest of the walk. And since it is there...you must climb it. Turn left as you enter the next field and then after a stile bear right on a more obvious path that begins to scale the heights of Preesall after crossing a footbridge. Aim for the school that surmounts the top of the hill. Though a little over 30m high the view over the way you came will impress. Before the school turn right onto a footpath that skirts the school grounds and will bring you out on Mill Lane. Keep ahead and descend to the main road (B5377). Here turn right to walk through the village past the Saracen's Head and the Black Bull taking care awhile since the pavement has a habit of disappearing. A little beyond the confines of the village cross a bridge looking for a footpath sign on the left.

Take the footpath which will put you on the line of a disused railway. Keep on the track for almost 1000m and at a point where it is about to enter a wooded section turn left onto a broad track. (Whinney Lane) Follow this as it takes to the complex of Hackensall Hall where you join the Wyre Way. You will now follow this long distance path to its end, (or beginning) a little under a kilometre away. Soon it crosses a fairway of Knot End Golf Club to reach the promenade before Knot End Ferry.


Across the Wyre estuary lies Fleetwood.

2. Knott End - Car park (5 Km or 3 miles: 1½  hours)
After joining the Lancashire Coastal Way, at the approach to the ferry, keep on it until you reach the car park.



The Bourne Arms

Lunch was taken at The Bourne Arms, a typical fairly old fashioned seaside tavern. It is nicely appointed inside and has a large beer garden for those hot summer days.


There is a lovely (half) upstairs room with wonderful views over the bay taking in Black Coomb, Ingleborough, Ward Stone and many other fells as well as the less attractive Heysham Power Station. On our previous visit  there were no cask ales on offer so it came as a very pleasant surprise to find 3 on this occasion: Theakstons Bitter(3.8%), Wells Bombardier(4.3%) and Flowers Original(4.5%). We sampled the Bombardier and the Flowers  both of which were served in excellent condition and at the correct temperature. This is the first time whilst researching for this website that we have come across Flowers. We prefer Flowers IPA as it is not as strong as the Original but it was nice to see that Flowers is still being brewed.
We had pork and stuffing on brown bread and pork and apple on brown bread accompanied by a very nice plate of home made chips. A carvery was also on the menu.


Coastal Way - Walk 3: Glasson Dock and Cockersand Abbey

There must have been a time when monasteries seemed as all powerful as today’s supermarket chains. And then along came Anne Boleyn. About the county there are numerous remains of abbeys ruined on the back of the Reformation half a millennia ago. Cockersands Abbey is one such. In a different way Glasson Dock represents the hubris of another age. Built in 1787 to serve Lancaster, this tiny port never quite fulfilled the dreams of its investors, even after a link to the Lancaster Canal in 1825 and a rail link (now disused) some 12 years later.


Total Distance: 11 Km or 7 miles
Time: 3 hours
Terrain: Mainly easy coastal walking, returning to Glasson across pastureland.

Start: Car park at Glasson Dock by the marina. From junction 33 on M6 turn right at the A6 and follow signs to Lancaster into Galgate. At the traffic lights turn left following sign for Conder Green. After railway bridge bear left at next junction. On reaching A588 turn left and then immediately right into village along B5290.

Map

1. Glasson Dock to Bank Houses (4 Km or 2½ miles: 1 hour plus stopping time at the Abbey)
From car park walk into village crossing the bridge between the marina and dock. Note small white lighthouse at the far end of the dock claimed to be Britain’s smallest. Continue along Tithe Barn Hill to junction with a fine viewpoint across the Lune Estuary towards Sunderland Point and Heysham Nuclear Power Station beyond.  A sign post will confirm you are on the Lancashire Coastal Way.



Turn left and after 300m turn right into Marsh Lane. (Ahead the distinctive twin silo towers of Old Glasson which will make a good reference point for the return leg of the walk.)



After 400m Marsh Lane passes into pasture land to follow a track across to Crook Farm.





At Crook Farm with a distinctive wheel gate on left, turn left on a tarmac drive with the estuary on your right.



Beyond Abbey Lighthouse Cottage you will reach the car park for visitors to Cockersand Abbey. From this point the way reverts to a footpath. The way is obvious and the chapter house of the abbey can be seen from some distance. Indeed the chapter house is all that remains of the abbey. On its door there is an information board explaining the history of the religious house. After inspection rejoin the coastal path and in 15 minutes reach Bank Houses and its caravan park.

2. Bank Houses to Glasson Dock (7 Km or 4m: 2 hours.)
Continue on the Coastal Way past the caravan park to arrive at Bank End and its caravan park.



Beyond the farm complex you will find yourself once more on tarmac, with a raised embankment on your left.



After 800m the lane turns sharply left (where the Coastal Way continues to Patty’s Farm). Follow the lane as it climbs up to the hamlet of Hillam.







By Hillam Farm turn left onto a footpath which will take you through the farm and then across pastures to the white farmhouse of Norbreck Farm. Although only 20m above sea level this elevation provides an almost unexpected viewing platform for the countryside around. Away to the east the bulk of Bowland looms, while ahead Ashton Memorial in Lancaster can be picked out. At Norbreck  Farm turn right and follow waymarkers through the yard to reach a rough track.



Ahead a trig. point will be seen. The track descends the ridge to the right of this and then swings right into the next field. Keep straight with a fence on your left. Stay left when the fence dog legs towards a metal gate.



Go through the gate and turn right. In the corner of this field cross a stile and turn left. Keep the hedge/fence on your left as you traverse a number of fields to reach Moss Lane over a footbridge after 750m. [The path is not clear at all but the route will be confirmed stiles, gaps, other footbridges and the entrance to Thursland Hill Farm. At Moss Lane turn right. Beyond the next farm turn left onto an unsignposted path by a small utility building.



After a stone step stile, cross an open field to a gate opposite.




Beyond this, with a ditch on your left cross the next field to reach a pair of metal gates.



After retying a neat bow, proceed along the track bearing right as you reach Kendal Hill farm complex. As you pass into the next field turn left and follow the hedge down to a metal gate.




This will put you on Dobs Lane and soon you will pass the twin towers of Old Glasson. At the road junction turn right into School Lane. Walk down to the school and follow the sign for its entrance. This will quickly put you on a narrow path on the edge of the marina. Keep left and on reaching a children’s playground  turn left into the village.

The Dalton Arms


We lunched at the Dalton Arms in Glasson Dock. The Dalton is a fairly up-market eatery popular with folk that drive out there for their lunch. Despite being rather muddy walkers we were made welcome and enjoyed a lunch of soup, sandwich and chips - the chips being proper home made style chunky ones!
Three cask ales were on offer - all of them Thwaites. They had Original Best Bitter (3.6%), Lancaster Bomber (4.4%) and the rather less common Wainwright's(4.1%). Wainwright's is a particularly nice cask ale so the choice was easy. Named after the great man himself the name alone should attract walkers. The beer was in good condition and a delight to drink, being smooth but with just enough of a bitter taste to make it interesting.

Coastal Way -  Walk 4:  Sunderland Point

Sunderland is not a place to visit without consulting your tide table. At high tide this hamlet on the Lune Estuary is temporarily cut off along its road route from Overton. This walk, however, approaches the settlement from the north, almost in the shadow of Heysham Nuclear Power Station. In doing so it passes “Sambo’s Grave” a poignant reminder of the county’s connections with the slave trade.




Total Distance: 8 Km or 5miles
Time: 2 – 2½ hours
Terrain: A bracing coastal walk for the most part, returning across fields.

Start: Car park Potts Corner.
From Lancaster City Centre follow signs for A589 Morecambe. Turn left onto A683 to Heysham. At three miles and third roundabout turn left onto Middleton Road. On reaching Middleton turn right, into Carr Lane. Follow Carr Lane to its end on the coast. Car park on the left.

Map

1. Potts Corner to Sunderland. (3 Km or 2 miles: 1 hour)
With the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay on your right walk along the track beyond its fork to Alderley Bank. When the track turns up the embankment after 600m keep straight along a narrow path with fence still on left.  After passing Sunderland Brows Farm you will come to a footpath sign for Sunderland.


A short way ahead in a small enclosure you will reach Sambo’s Grave.



Details are sparse as to who Sambo was. The main inscription dated 1796 indicates that he died 60 years previously when the slave trade was at its height. Whether he was a slave or a freeman he was certainly a long way from home. It is hard to imagine a lonelier or more desolate place for this solitary grave. Yet despite this, it is covered with tender remembrances on inscribed pebbles and stones.

After paying due respect continue along the shore to reach Sunderland Point. Here the Lune enters Morecambe Bay. Round the Point to walk in a northerly direction towards Sunderland.



When the tide is in you will have to negotiate a rock strewn shore to reach the hamlet. If you haven’t visited the place before, it may come as a surprise.



Long ago it was something of a port, until it was superceded by Glasson Dock on the far shore of the estuary. One surmises that many of the buildings would have looked out onto that port. Cottages and terraces built in a different age and quite a different style. Quite incongruously near the end of the settlement (or at its beginning if coming by road) a public convenience.



2 Sunderland to Middleton  (3 Km or 2 miles: 1 hour)
Beyond the last house take the track as it bends away from the river.



Ahead there is an embankment. Follow the track as it bends to the right to reach a ladder stile with a signpost indicating a footpath to Trailholme. Keep on this path as it crosses five fields, aided by stiles and footbridges. As you near Trailholme, a prominent farm complex on a rise, you will reach this ladder stile.



Cross it to climb an embankment then turn right towards the farm. Look for a ladder stile on your left which will put you on a good farm track.



Take the track past the farm to its junction with the lane, then turn left to another farm complex – Trumley Farm/Marsh Lea. In front of the farm take the right fork. Passing the building on your left keep ahead on a track, crossing a junction of footpaths. Middleton Village is ahead. At a point where the track turns right into a field, cross a stile with a dyke on your right.



This leads down to a waymarked stile.



Beyond this cross a wide pasture to reach the edge of the village.

3. Middleton to Potts Corner (2k or 1¼ miles: 40 minutes)
In the summer, when this area abounds with holiday makers staying in  numerous caravan parks , refreshment opportunities may be plentiful. Not so on a damp Tuesday in January when this route was checked. Advice if you chose to try this route – take your own butties.

From the point where you reach the edge of Middleton, follow the signpost indicating Carr Lane.



This will bring you to a stile in a hedge.



Across the next field past a distinctive looking house you will reach quite a tall ladder stile.



After crossing it, turn left into its adjoining field, then immediately right. With the hedge on your right walk to the corner of the field. Here cross a waymarked stile and turn left. Keep on this line for the next 500m as you traverse three large fields. Stiles will help to confirm the route. When you reach a path junction indicated by this sign post; cross the ladder stile by it and then a short way beyond cross the white ladder stile that brings you onto a track close by a motor repair yard.




Follow the track to its junction with Carr Lane and turn left to return to the car in 10 minutes.

Coastal Way -  Walk 5:  Hest Bank

Total Distance: 8k 5m
Time: 2 hours
Terrain: Easy walking – coastal path and canal tow path.
 
Map

Start: Foreshore Car park on A5105 at Hest Bank. From junction 34 on M6 follow signs for Carnforth. Once in the one way system take A6 north Carnforth/Kendal crossing the River Lune. After 1½ miles take the first road on the left, Hest Bank Lane. This will bring you to Hest Bank. Across the canal bridge into the Crescent and then right onto the A5105. The car park is on the left over the railway crossing a short distance from the junction.

1. Foreshaw to Bolton-le-Sands (3 Km or 2 miles: 50 minutes)
This car park is quite often the starting point of the famous cross Bay walk. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should readers attempt to do this for themselves. At frequent intervals the crown appointed guide, Cedric Robinson, will lead a walk across the Bay, and under his expert supervision you will be able to safely cross the Kent Estuary into Cumbria. With Morecambe Bay on your left follow the Lancashire Coastal Way northwards. You notice that this is a coast line of campsites and caravan parks.


After 40 mins or 2 Km, just before Wild Duck Hall (passing it on your left), turn right onto St. Nicholas Lane and after passing beneath the main West Coast Line you will reach Bolton-le-Sands.


Keep on St Nocholas Lane to arrive at the A6.


After carefully crossing the road Eden Grove will lead you to the canal.

2. Bolton-le-Sands to carpark (5 Km or 3 miles: 1 hour 10 mins).
The Lancaster Canal, as well as being one of the most charming pieces of inland waterways, is a remarkable feat of late 18th/early 19th century engineering. From canal basin in Preston to canal basin in Kendal it only required the construction of one set of locks on the main branch at Tewitfield. This enabled the establishment of a fast link between the two centres of commerce. The 57 mile journey could be done in less than 8 hours. Of course these journey times were soon to be overtaken by the coming of the railway, but by the standards of the day they were considered swift.


On reaching the canal turn right onto the tow path.


Follow the canal for 3 Km or 2 miles until bridge 117.


Here after leaving the tow path just beyond the bridge, turn left onto a footpath, which leads through a housing down onto the A5105.


Cross with care onto a footpath that crosses the railway line.

Once across turn right onto the Lancashire Coastal Way. In about 500m you will return to the car park.

The Hest Bank

This is a very popular tavern and with good reason. Dating back to 1554 it was originally a coaching inn, famed for its guiding light which was shone in an upstairs window to show the way across the sands.


The inn has a well appointed interior but we were lucky enough to do this walk on a beautiful day in May and therefore sat out in the popular beer garden next to the canal. This is a well frequented eatery and boasts a good menu. We enjoyed sausage and caramelised red onion  on brown bread and cheese on brown bread. The sandwiches were substantial and very tasty.
Choosing our cask ale was a nightmare - several of our favourites on offer - making important decisions does not seem to get any easier with age. Boddingtons Bitter, Moorhouses Premier Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter were all on offer with Thwaites Wainwright waiting in the wings. Bob chose the Timothy Taylor whilst John settled for the Moorhouses Premier.
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