Parbold Hill
Although of no great height, Parbold Hill's position on the edge of the Lancashire Plains makes it an excellent viewpoint. Go in any season but to really make the most of this walk go when bluebells bedeck the lovely Fairy Glen.
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Terrain: Mainly easy walk with a moderate amount of effort required to ascend Fairy Glen.
Map: OS Explorer 285 Southport & Chorley
Start: Parbold Village Hall car park. [Sat nav WN8 7DN] 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 by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
1. Parbold Village to High Moor (6 Km or 4 miles:1½ - 2 hours)
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 as you cross the road. 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 a 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 to reach a stile leading into Fairy Glen.
Turn left and follow footpath beside Sprodley Brook through woodland up to the A5209.
This local beauty spot is a very pleasant amenity, well maintained by the countryside service of the (West Lancashire) district council. Turn right. After 200m cross the road and near the far end of the lay-by turn left onto a track.
In 100m the path divides.
Bear right towards Boar's Den Farm. On your right you will notice a distinctive hillock marked "Boar's Den" on the OS map and is in fact an ancient barrow - or burial mound. Passing the farm turn left onto a track. This leads onto a path which 500m (7½ mins) from the farm will bring you onto High Moor Lane.
Turn left on reaching the lane. After 100m turn right onto a drive just before High Moor Restaurant. [If refreshment is required at this point you may wish to try the restaurant or the Rigbye Arms which is a few hundred metres further along the lane.]
After 500m when the drive swings left down to Harrock Hall keep ahead on a gently ascending footpath.
After passing through a patch of woodland turn right on a track leading upwards besides a meshed fence of a covered reservoir. Next to this arrangement is the triangulation column - the highest point of Parbold Hill at 157m (515ft in old money).
On a clear day the views are extensive.
Retrace steps to the patch of woodland and keep ahead down to a stile.
Continue on a clear path and at the next plantation dogleg right around the wood to reach the ruins of the old windmill that marks the top of Harrock Hill.
At the mill turn left onto a footpath that leads down through gorse towards a cluster of converted farm buildings.
The right of way follows a drive down to Jackson's Lane. Turn left onto Jackson's Lane which after a double bend will bring you onto Bannisters Lane.
Turn left and begin to climb steeply again. Near the top of the brow turn right onto a footpath below Hunters Hill Quarry.
When the path meets a track turn right then immediately left onto a footpath that crosses two fields to bring you onto Stony Lane.
Turn right then in 100m turn left onto a footpath.
The path soon begins a gentle descent to Parbold. After crossing a stile continues to reach a footbridge which puts you in the adjoining field on the left.
Follow the path as it skirts the field to enter a lane that brings you onto Lancaster Lane, close to the primary school.
Tann House Lane opposite will take you back to the village centre.
The Rigbye Arms
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!)