Total Distance: 10 Km or 6 miles
Time: 2½ hours
Terrain: Moderate ascent of hill through woods. Across fields and pastures with some road walking. Mainly easy.

Start:
Parbold Village Hall car park . From M6 exit at junction 27. Follow signs for A5209 to Parbold and Ormskirk. The village is approx 10k 6 miles from exit. (You maybe 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.

Map

1. Parbold Village to Sparrow Hill (4 Km or 2½ miles: 1 hour)
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. 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.
On reaching this 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 and 3 stiles to reach this stile leading into Fairy Glen.



Turn left and follow footpath beside Sprodley Brook through woodland up to A5209, Sparrow Hill.
The way is always upwards through this glorious glen, keeping always to the main path. Towards the top iwhen it is unclear which is the main path keep straight on.




This by the way is a very pleasant amenity well maintained by the countryside service of the (West Lancashire) district council.

2. Sparrow Hill to Hill Dale (3 Km or 2 miles: 50 mins)
On reaching A5209 turn left.(It will be best to cross the road to use the pavement. Walk down to Parbold Hill viewpoint by lay by opposite the Wiggin Tree.



Yes the views are extensive in part helped by the abrupt steepness of the hill which seems to fall away at your feet. A helpful directional sign will assist you in locating points of interest across the west Lancashire Plain.



Carefully cross the road walking in the direction of Parbold Village. Look for a stile on your right.



Cross and follow path along the edge of the field and then a plantation to bring you to this stile by a large pond.




Here turn left and at the far end of the pond follow path across more open land beneath telegraph poles.


 The path will give out onto a lane by a signpost.
Here turn right. At High Moor Lane turn left and then at the fork beside the Rigbye Arms go right into White Lea.



After 400m passing properties on left and right take a footpath on the left, besides what turns out to be a large quarry.




The path follows the edge of the field in a descent that brings you onto lane leading into Hill Dale.

3. Hill Dale to Parbold (2 Km or 1½ miles: 35 mins)
On reaching Chorley Road turn left and then right into Robin Lane. Follow lane past Greystone Farm. About 200m beyond the farm look for footpath sign on the left.



(It is very much hoped that the flood sign is temporary, so please do not rely on it being there when you do the walk!) The footpath back to the village is clear and straight crossing pastureland and small plantations.
As you approach this recent housing development look for a stile besides a metal gate.




Cross it and reach and when you reach the main road turn right. The village hall is a short way ahead.

The Rigbye Arms
At the front entrance to The Rigbye Arms they have a sign saying walkers welcome but ask that you use the side entrance where there is an area for you to leave your boots should they be busy - as ours were on this occasion. This side entrance brings you into a small bar aptly named The Fox Hole.



There is also a large lounge and dining area but we immediately 'bonded' with the Fox Hole so stayed in there.
This is clearly a popular eating place and boasts an excellent menu. We had soup of the day (tomato and basil) and a round of ham sandwiches. Service was very prompt and the food very good.
The Rigbye Arms usually boasts 4 cask ales but on this occasion one of them was off. We had to choose between Timothy Taylor Landlord(4.3%), Black Sheep Bitter(3.8%) and Tetleys Bitter(3.7%). This was a difficult choice as all 3 find favour with us. We opted for the Black Sheep and the Tetleys., both served in good condition and at exactly the right temperature. (cask ales should be served just below room temperature but many pubs are tempted to serve them too cold. The reason other beers are served cold is, in our opinion, because it masks the flavour. This should not be necessary with a good cask conditioned ale. At the Rigbye Arms they clearly have confidence in their beer!)