Pendleton and Worston
Between the north flank of Pendle and the A59 there is a lovely countryside that can scarcely be imagined outside of the county. Like much of Lancashire it possesses a quality to both surprise and delight especially in spring when lambs gambol in the pastures and blossom breaks out on the hawthorn. Throw in two charming villages and you have all the ingredients of deeply satisfying walk.
Start: Close to Four Lane Ends, near Clitheroe. From junction 31 M6 take the 59 eastwards towards Skipton. As you approach Clitheroe keep ahead across three roundabouts. 1K after the third turn left at a staggered cross road. Follow the quiet lane as it bends to the right in front of Standen Hall. After 500m park in a lay by on the right close to a footpath sign post.
Factfile: Distance: 11k 7m
Time: 3 - 4hours
Summary: For the most part the walk is easy but there is a steep and strenuous ascent to the Nick of Pendle.
Map: OS OL41 The Forest of Bowland
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Cross diagonally right to a footbridge
and then to a fenced entrance from the busy A59.
Cross the road and then drop towards a wooden gate but before you reach it turn right to follow the hedge to a wooden stile.
Bear right to enter the next field by a wooden footbridge.
Keep ahead and after crossing two fields turn left to arrive at the village of Pendleton.
Secluded and unspoiled Pendleton is a picturesque village made more appealing by the bridged stream running along the main street.
Keep ahead past the old coaching inn, the Swan with Two Necks, (recommended) to where the road bends to the left.
Here keep ahead on a farm track and after passing a dinky farmhouse on the left
keep ahead in the next field with the hedge on your right.
Cross a footbridge on the right into the adjacent field and continue ahead bearing right to the field corner.
Here turn right through a wooden gate and then after 200m turn left. Views open out behind. As you approach Wymondhouses cross a stone stile keeping left of the farmhouse. (Helpful signposts keep you on track).
The next section of the walk is very steep. After a white picket gate turn left
and follow a rough track with a wall on your left. Where the track bends to the right cross a stile on the left and continue the climb up to the Nick of Pendle.
A stone stile will put you on the road a short distance from the highest point of the pass.
It's all downhill from here. Turn left and after passing Well Springs Restaurant
and Pendle Ski Club turn right onto a footpath leading across rough moorland.
Although definite at first this path has a habit of disappearing. If in doubt aim towards a wall down to the left. Close to the wall go through a wooden gate
and then follow the path down to a footbridge below Howcroft Barn. Across the stream keep ahead to the ruins of a second barn.
From here descend through pasture with the field boundary on your right to reach a wooden stile in a fence.
A short way beyond this you will come to a substantial farm track close to Mearley Hall.
Turn right. Keep ahead on this track as it leads past a farmhouse on the right
and then 500m further along past Lane Side on the left.
Continue across a field joining the drive of Little Mearley Hall as it comes in from the right.
In just over 100m turn off the drive to follow a fence (on the left)
to a metal kissing gate.
Keep ahead to a wooden stile at a corner
and cross towards houses on the edge of Worston. (At the time of writing undergoing substantial renovation.)
A drive leads round to the right. Turn left when you reach the road and walk into the village centre.
After passing the justly popular Calf's Head Inn bear left at the next junction.
In 200m turn left onto a footpath.
Keep on this as it crosses fields to reach a footbridge. Traverse the next field and after crossing a stile turn right.
Now on a bridleway cross a farm track
and keep ahead to the A59. Walk straight across to join the lane opposite.
Keep on this to the car park.
