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| Stags and Hens
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Date : 29th March 2009
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Leaders : Phil Bedson &
Gail Cook |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson (PB) &
Shauna Smith (SS) |
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| CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE DETAILS |
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| The Hen and the Stag (SS) | |
Twelve members of Hyndburn Group ignored the clocks going forward to get up and get out for this walk with a difference. The joint leaders for the day were Phil Bedson and Gail Cook and this was their last walk before being married the following Saturday. Upon arrival at Plantation Street, cake was distributed to the ten others present for them to enjoy during the course of the day. The Group then set off to our days start point of Edisford Bridge, nr Clitheroe.
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left:
The River Ribble (PB) |
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right: Pendle Hill (SS) |
Leaving the car park and crossing the river by way of Edisford Bridge itself we headed uphill, past the Edisford Bridge public house, and took the first right turn before entering a field by way of a hedge stile, there was a distinct chill in the air but the blue skies and bright sun more than made up for that. Indeed, once we had started walking it was but a couple of fields before some layers were being removed. Another walking group were encountered in these early stages and the pace was slowed enough to let them go ahead sufficiently to distinguish between us. Upon arrival at Bashall Hall, the barn was pointed out to the group and they were informed that the building had indeed been a barracks during the Civil War. The other group were camped on the bridge walls having a brew and so we duly went past. We continued up the lane to Cow Hey, once a cluster of farm buildings but now renovated into several private houses. We continued up through the fields, past a line of moles hanging on the fence, to arrive at Saddle Bridge where a brew stop was declared.
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left:
Bashall Hall... |
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right: ...and the Barrack Barn (PB) |
Most people enjoyed their cake at this point and whilst we were all sat/stood eating and drinking the other walking group came through our midst. They took the path over the bridge and as that was not the way we were going we didn’t expect to meet them again.
We continued on to Clough Bottom whereby we ascended the field behind the buildings and made our way to Talbot Bridge. From here we took a sharp incline uphill to cross a cabbage field to Braddup Farm. Passing through the yard we entered a field and at the next boundary we came to some very rough moorland. A bearing was set and off we trudged up to the ruined barn at Burbles Hill. With Longridge Fell to the West and Pendle Hill to the South the views were quite something. It was just a couple of fields later when we stopped for lunch near to Buckstall.
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left:
Saddle Bridge (SS) |
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right: Burbles (PB) |
From Buckstall we headed south alongside a small plantation. Upon reaching the lane at the bottom we turned right to be faced with the group of walkers from earlier in the day! This time they were passing us by and from our route we definitely would not meet again. We continued down through the woods via the bridleway known as Whinney Lane although it definitely wasn’t horse friendly. We reached Braddup House and turned left along the lane where we saw some hens - only need a stag now!
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left:
After lunch, easy walking (PB) |
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right: Whinney Lane Bridleway! (PB) |
Shortly after Peter Hall we turned off the track into a small wood which led into a large field. We passed the stately looking Colthurst Hall and after crossing a small stream and a few more fields we approached the outskirts of the village of Waddington. A small path led virtually into the centre of the village and it was here we found our stag!! Well, not quite a stag, but close enough. The Lower Buck Inn serves a very nice pint indeed.
After quaffing our drinks we then set off through the village (inadvertently taking a wrong turn in the process!) and made our way along a country lane towards Waddow Hall. Now a holiday home for the Girl Guide movement it is quite a spectacular building.
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left:
Towards Waddington (PB) |
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right: Waddow Hall (PB) |
After passing through the grounds we arrived at Brungerly Bridge, re-crossed the river and immediately turned off down some steps to follow the riverside path. It was pleasant and peaceful. We continued on through the stables and allotments of Low Moor and it wasn’t long before we espied the local Leisure centre. Crossing the sports field we emerged onto the main road almost directly across from the car park. The sky was still blue and the sun was still shining and it had been a wonderful day all round.
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| Along the riverbank (SS) | |
| OS LEISURE 41 |
FOREST OF BOWLAND |
START POINT |
SD 727 414 |
| WALK LENGTH |
8.65 mls / 14 km |
TIME |
3 hrs 15 m |
| MAX HEIGHT |
207.43 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
46.64 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
278.73 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
278.73 mtrs |
This map is for reference only and MUST NOT be used to do the walk.
Please use the correct OS map for all these walks.
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