Catforth
The flat lands of the Lancashire Fylde are not as popular walking destinations as its hills. Yet a walk in this area can be just as rewarding especially on a dry day in late winter. This is a fine walk to introduce you to the quiet countryside of the Fylde. Remarkably there are fine views to be had on this route especially towards the Bowland Fells.
Start: Catforth Village Centre. From junction 32 M6 take the A6 northwards towards Garstang. At the traffic lights at Broughton turn left onto the B5269 towards Woodplumpton and Inskip. One mile past Woodplumpton turn left onto School Lane. This will bring you to Catforth Village Centre.
Factfile: Distance: 10k 6m
Time: 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours
Summary: Flat easy walking but with muddy field corners and plenty of stile to negotiate.
Map: OS Explorer 286 Blackpool & Preston
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Directions: From the corner of Bay Horse Lane keep ahead northwards along Catforth Road. In a little over 200m turn right onto a footpath and cross two fields until you reach a footbridge across Woodplumpton Brook. Do not cross the bridge but turn right and follow the brook downstream.
This field will be typical of all the fields that follow. Flat it may be but it is not entirely easy walking - especially after periods of wet weather when the ground becomes saturated. After crossing School Lane
cross a footbridge over the brook
and continue with the brook on your right. After a stile
enter a large pasture and bear slightly left away from the brook towards a canal bridge.
When you reach the bridge named Whinnyfield) access the towpath and turn left under the bridge.
The Lancaster Canal constructed in the late 18th century can lay claims to being one of the most attractive waterways in Britain. You now have the pleasure of an hour in its company.
Between Ashton basin in Preston and Tewitfield there are no locks on the main stretch. This allowed a "fast" packet boat service to be established which could average 10 miles an hour between Preston and Kendal. With the water on your right continue along the towpath for over 3k/2 miles. The waterway cuts through pleasant unassuming countryside with good views across to the high fells of Bowland.
After nearly an hour turn left onto a footpath just before pylons cross the canal on a right hand bend.
Follow the hedge to a stile and then turn right.
Cross the next stile into a lane that passes close to large houses.
Keep ahead for 300m and then turn left onto a footpath that passes through the yard of a house.
This path traverses three fields and after the fourth reaches Bensons Lane.
Cross Bensons Lane to a stile and after walking through a garden
cross the next stile with a hedge on your right. Turn right at the next stile in the hedge
and continue to reach the rear of the Plough at Eaves.
The route now winds its way through a network of paths and lanes on its way back to Catforth. Turn right onto Eaves Lane and bear right at the junction on Brierley Lane.
After almost 200m turn left onto a footpath
that takes you across two fields to reunite you with Eaves Lane.
Turn right. Follow the lane round to the left over New Mill Bridge and then turn right into Cinder Lane.
Keep on Cinder Lane to its junction with B5269 Lewth Lane.
Though not busy by town standards nonetheless this is a busier stretch of road than any encountered thus far. Turn left and then at Lewth Farm
turn right onto a footpath accessed by a metal gate on the right.
Keep ahead with the hedge on your left. The path crosses a number of wooden footbridges and then with the hedge now on your right reaches Woodplumpton Brook which is where you came in.
Cross it and keep ahead to retrace your steps back to the car park.