Woodplumpton
Although close to Preston Woodplumpton retains its village atmosphere. It has a church, a primary school and a pub - the once essential ingredients of a rural community. In different ways all three institutions are experiencing the pressure of modernity. This walk starts in the village centre and joins the Lancaster Canal on its wide loop onto the Fylde, before returning to the village along lanes and footpaths.
Start: Woodplumpton village centre. [Sat nav: PR4 0NE] Parking is limited but a side lane opposite the primary school called the Orchard has space for one or two cars. Please be mindful of residents' access.
Summary: Distance: 12k 7 ½ m
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Terrain: Flat
Map: OS Explorer 286 Blackpool & Preston
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Directions: Before you begin the walk you may want to look at the Witch's grave in the churchyard.
This is the resting place of "Meg Shelton" the so called Fylde Witch and permitted christian burial since she was never brought to trial. Return to the school and turn left into the lane (Whinnyfield) just beyond it.
This leads to Whinnyfield Farm which is reached in about 15 minutes. Pass through the wide farm yard and then turn left onto a track.
A short distance away from the yard look for a stile on the right.
Cross it and then enter a large field. Cross this to its far side to a gate just before
Cross the bridge and turn left onto the towpath.
You can now relax for the next hour and enjoy the peace of the waterway without having to consult these directions. Perhaps "peace" is not quite apt as you'll soon come into earshot of the M55 motorway. Indeed its roar of traffic is unavoidable as the canal passes beneath it just after Kellet's Bridge (no.29).
Thankfully that is soon left behind. After Bridge no.27 the canal enters a wooded cutting. If refreshment is needed it can be obtained at the Hand and Dagger close by
Continue along the lane, keeping to the right so you are facing oncoming traffic for 20 mins. This will bring you to a junction close by the Saddle pub.
Turn left and then immediately right onto a track by Crow Lady Farm.
Where the concrete drive comes to a stop, keep ahead at a stile by a gate.
The path beyond leads down a gate before Moor Hall the catch of which was so stiff when the route was checked that you'd be best clambering over.
Keep ahead with the hall on your left. On a broad grassy track look for a stile in the hedgerow on the left before you reach the electricity pylons.
After crossing into the next field keep to the left and then go through a gate on the left into the adjacent field and keep ahead with the boundary on your right.
Cross a stile in the field corner and continue with the hedge on your right.This path leads to Old Vicarage Farm and then onto Bartle Lane
Turn right and at the next junction turn left.
After crossing the M55 quickly arrive at Woodplumpton.
