Eccleston, Heskin & Harrock Hill from Mawdesley
Rufford and Croston from Mawdesley
Mere Sands, Martin Mere & Burscough from Rufford
The Yarrow and Lostock Valleys from Croston
Harrock Hill & Fairy Glen from Parbold
Ashurst's Beacon from Parbold -
ASHURST'S BEACON FROM PARBOLD
Distance: 71/4miles. - Start: Parbold Station.
This walk takes us out along an attractive stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool canal as far as Appley Bridge, then follows part of the Douglas Way before ascending Ashurst's Beacon. It is a steady climb to the Beacon but the views that you are rewarded with make the effort well worthwhile. The return is mainly on footpaths but also includes some of the quiet lanes that meander along the slopes. We also get a glimpse of some of the old industrial workings of the area.
Walk along Station road past the butchers towards the canal. Take the track on the left going down to the towpath on the far side. Where the canal turns sharp right notice the short stretch of canal going straight on. It looks like a dry dock but it is all that remains of the originally planned route across West Lancashire.
Follow the towpath for about a mile; this stretch of canal passes through some very attractive country and there is little to disturb the peace. It must have been very different in the early part of the l9th century; the canal company had to build the double lock at Appley Bridge to cope with the traffic. Just beyond the lock signs of industry, both active and extinct, appear; notice the area on your right, it is an old industrial site that has been reclaimed by the local authority; it is now an attractive reserve. Turn right along the roadway at Appley Bridge and cross over the River Douglas.
Take the footpath on the right that runs between the river and the houses; this is part of the Douglas Way and is well trodden. The path follows the river for about 500yds. then, beside a broken stile, turns half left to cross the field and head for a tall willow tree in the opposite hedge. There is a bridge over the stream here, cross it and turn left alongside the stream. The path wanders through the woodland amongst a carpet of wildflowers to emerge onto Lees Lane beside a barn conversion, where you turn left.
Ignore the track on your right after 50yds but follow the lane for about 400yds. and take a signed track on the right The broad track climbs steadily. Shortly after passing a quarry a road comes in on the right, your way lies over the stile ahead. The path continues up the edge of the attractive woodland with a stream chuckling down at the bottom of the ravine; a well hidden path goes off on the right and a farm track comes in from the left, ignore both. As you near the end of the woodland you will see a farm through the trees on your left and, just before the track swings sharp left, take the path dropping down on your right. It crosses a stile and the stream then climbs between hedges, this stretch can be very muddy but the worst parts can be bypassed if necessary by deviating into the field on the right. The path emerges onto the drive to Atherton's Farm where you turn left then, at the road, left again. As you emerge onto the road look to the right to get your first glimpse of the Beacon.
A short distance up the road, on the right opposite The Manor House, the signed footpath goes off between a holly hedge and a wire fence. After crossing a stile it heads over an open fleld towards a house, crosses the drive and another stile to enter another enclosed section. A real surprise awaits you at the end of this path because you suddenly emerge to see a breathtaking view opening before you, a panorama stretching from the Welsh hills past the Lakes and round to the West Pennines. The Beacon itself is only a few yards away to your right; it is hard to tear yourself away from such a spot.
The walk continues on the path which leads from the Beacon towards the nearby trees with the masts of Winter Hill as a backdrop. Turn left just before the trees along the cross-track and descend to cross the stile where good views of the Douglas Valley may be had. The path continues to the right along the edge of the meadow, turns left at the end and crosses a stile part way along the fence on your right. Go over the footbridge and up into the field on the other side, turn left along the edge and follow the field round to the right to meet a lane, where you turn left.
The lane is one of a number of peaceful rural retreats that are to be found on the slopes of the Beacon. Continue downhill for about 400yds until, opposite the track to Bangham's Farm and beside a white house called Woodlands, you should take a path off on the left. The path goes along the left side of the hedge across two fields and comes to an area littered with debris, this is all that is left of an old mine. An obvious track swings to the right but that is not the one that you want, head slightly left towards the trees and look for a narrow path which goes through and which drops down to cross the stream and a stile.
As
you climb the rise beyond the stile you will see a fence coming in
from your right, walk alongside it and look for a stile over. If you
fail to find it, do not worry, just follow the fence until it ends.
From the fence corner walk below the broken ground and head slightly
right to a stile in the opposite hedge, this takes you onto a track
which you follow to the right. On the right you can find more evidence
of abandoned workings; this time an old shale quarry. The brick paved
track leads out onto Hillock Lane, another quiet lane. Turn right
and walk down to the junction with Lees Lane where a right turn and
almost immediately a left turn through the imposing gates takes you
onto the track leading to Prior's Wood Hall. Take the left fork which
leads you towards the left of the barn and then, just past the barn,
take the concrete track on the left. The Catholic Church in Parbold
is prominent ahead. Cross the stream and take the stile on your right;
the path now follows the hedge and stream to join the River Douglas,
where a footbridge to your left lets you